11 - Male Reproductive Tract Flashcards
Six male reproductive organs
- scrotum
- testis
- testicular excurrent ducts
- spermatic cord
- accessory sex glands
- penis
Structures of the semen manufacturing complex (shipping analogy)
- Testes (manufacturing center)
- Excurrent ducts forward section (finishing shop)
- Excurrent ducts hind section (warehouse shipping)
- Accessory sex glands (final alteration and shipping)
- Penis (delivery system)
primary functions of the scrotum
- houses, supports and protects the testes
- temperature control of the testes
4 components of the scrotum
- scrotal skin (sweat glands, thermosensitive nerves)
- tunica dartos (smooth muscle that responds to temp)
- scrotal lining (scrotal fascia and parietal vaginal tunic)
- gubernaculum (connective tissue attaching tests to the base of the scrotum)
The testes produce…
Spermatozoa and androgens (i.e. testosterone)
Testes are composed of… (3)
- testicular capsule: visceral vaginal tunica and tunica albuginea
- parenchyma: functional layer of testis (contains seminif tubules)
- mediastinum: inner layer of connective tissue (houses the retetubules)
Slides 9-11
Pics** 9 especially
What is the testicular parenchyma
Makes up the majority of the testicular tissue and is composed primarily of seminiferous tubules (site of spermatogenesis)
Testicular parenchyma also contains…
- sertoli cells (within seminiferous tubules)
- leydig cells (between semin tub)
Roles of sertoli and leydig cells
Sertoli cells support spermatogenesis
Leydig cells synthesize testosterone
Slides 13, 14
Pics
Three excurrent ducts, their roles
- efferent ducts: drains rete tubules
- epididymus: concentrates sperm, matures sperm, stores until ejaculation
- ductus deferens: connects the epididymus with the urethra
Slides 16, 17
Excurrent ducts
What is the spermatic cord
Tubular cord-like tissue that extends through the inguinal canal (passage between the scrotal sac and abdominal cavity)
the spermatic cord contains…
- testicular artery & vein = pampiniform plexus
- lymphatic and nervous tissue
- cremaster muscle
- ductus deferens
Functions of the ductus deferens
- supports and maintains the testes
- temperature regulation
What are the accessory sex glands? Name them
Glands of the male repro tract that contribute the seminal plasma (fluid) to semen
Ampulla, vesicular gland, prostate and bulbourethral
Role of the ampulla
Enlargement of the ductus deferens that connects to urethra
Not actually a gland
Role of the vesicular gland
Contributes fluid, energy substrates and buffer to semen
Role of the prostate
Contributes fluid and inorganic ions to semen
Role of bulbourethral
Flushes urine residues from the urethra (with pre-ejaculation fluid) and/or produces gel-fraction of semen
What is semen gel-fraction
Boa has gel that locks the cervix so other males cannot inseminate
What is the penis
Organ of copulation on the males - forms around the urethra form the point where the urethra leaves the pelvis
The penis is composed of…
Base: attached to the penile muscle
Shaft: main portion of the penis
Glans penis: specialized types, highly enervated
Two common types of penis found in livestock, e.g.
- vascular (stallion, primates)
- fibroelastic (bull, ram, buck, boar, tom, dog)
What is a vascular penis
Penis composed primarily of erectile tissue
Unstimulated penis is flacid and erection is caused by engorgement of erectile tissue with blood
What is a fibroelastic penis
Penis is rigid and often possesses a sigmoid flexure that permits it to retract completely into the body
Retractor muscles relax to permit extension of the penis and contact to draw it back into the body
What part of the vaginal tunic is part of the scrotum? The testes?
Scrotum = parietal vaginal tunic (parietal = wall)
Testes = visceral vaginal tunic (visceral = organ)
