1.4 - Male Reproductive Organs

Question 1

The reproductive organs can essentially be grouped into what 4 categories?

Answer 1

1. External genitalia
2. Gonads (where gametes or sex cells are produced, also the site for the production of important sex hormones)
3. The tube system for conveying the sperm and ovum enabling them to unite with resultant zygote being implanted
4. Accessory glands which support the gametes and the copulatory organs

Question 2

What are the male internal reproductive organs? (6)

Answer 2

Testis 
Ductus deferens/vas deferens
Seminal glands 
Prostate 
Epididymis 
Bulbourethral glands

Question 3

In the male the gonads are located outside the abdominopelvic cavity, but remain intimately connected to the structures located there, what purpose does this serve?

Answer 3

The testis are outside of the body because they need to be at a cooler temperature to allow for sperm production

Question 4

The testes migrate outside of the cavity and through the anterior abdominal wall during development, what structure does this create?

Answer 4

Inguinal canal

Question 5

What comprises the inguinal canal?

Answer 5

Xxx

Question 6

What are the contents of the spermatic cord? (5)

Answer 6

1. Blood vessels: testicular artery, cremasteric artery and vein, artery to the vas deferens, pampiniform plexus of testicular veins
2. Nerves: genital branch of genitofemoral nerve, autonomic nerves (sympathetic fibres on arteries on the vas deferens)
3. Vas/ductus deferens
4. Lymphatic vessels
5. Vestige of the process is vaginalis

Question 7

What are the 3 layers of fascia of the spermatic cord?

Answer 7

• External spermatic fascia – derived from deep subcutaneous fascia (fascia innominata)
• Cremaster muscle and fascia – derived from the internal oblique muscle and its fascial coverings
• Internal spermatic fascia – derived from the transversalis fascia
  (3 layers also covered by superficial fascia which lies directly below scrotal skin)

Question 8

What is the name of the tough outer fibrous layer of the testis?

Answer 8

Tunica albuginea

Question 9

What is the name of the peritoneal sac covering the testis?

Answer 9

Tunics vaginalis

Question 10

What are the 2 layers of the tunica vaginalis?

Answer 10

• Visceral lamina

- Parietal lamina

Question 11

What material is present between the 2 layers of the tunica vaginalis?

Answer 11

Viscous fluid

Question 12

What is a hydrocele?

Answer 12

The presence of excess fluid in a persistent processus vaginalis (in the tunica vaginalis)

Question 13

What is a haematocele?

Answer 13

Collection of blood in the cavity of the tunica vaginalis

Question 14

At what vertebral level do the testicular arteries arise from the abdominal aorta?

Answer 14

L2

Question 15

What 2 important structures near the pelvic brim does the testicular artery fords before travelling through the inguinal canal?

Answer 15

Ureter

External iliac artery

Question 16

What is the term used for the 8-12 anastomosing veins associated with the testes?

Answer 16

Pampiniform plexus

Question 17

What is the function of the pampiniform plexus?

Answer 17

Thermoregulation

Venous drainage

Question 18

Into which vein does the right testicular vein drain into?

Answer 18

IVC

Question 19

Into which vein does the left testicular vein drain?

Answer 19

Left renal vein

Question 20

What is a varicocele?

Answer 20

Gross dilation of veins draining the testis (pampiniform plexus)
- can be caused by renal vein stenosis or anything else that increases venous pressure

Question 21

Which 2 lymph node groups receive lymph from the testis?

Answer 21

Left and right lumbar nodes

Para-aortic nodes

Question 22

Where does the vas deferens arise and what structure does it traverse?

Answer 22

Arises from the tail of the epididymis, traverses the inguinal canal

Question 23

How does the vas deferens enter the pelvis and how does it terminate?

Answer 23

Enters the pelvis by crossing over the external iliac vessels and terminated by joining the duct of the seminal gland to form the ejaculatory duct

Question 24

Where are the seminal vesicles located?

Answer 24

Located on either side of the posterior surface of the bladder

Question 25

What is contained in the secretions produced by the seminal vesicles?

Answer 25

Constituents of semen:

• Alkaline fluid (neutralise acid)
• Fructose (energy for sperm)
• Prostaglandins (suppress female immune system)
• Clotting factors (keeps semen in female reproductive tract)

Question 26

Describe the location of the prostate

Answer 26

Fused to the inferior part (neck) of the bladder and surrounds the prostatic urethra

Question 27

What secretions are produced by the prostate?

Answer 27

Proteolytic enzymes 
(Breaks down clotting factors in the semen to allow it to remain fluid)

Question 28

Why might an enlarged prostate cause retention of urine?

Answer 28

Compresses urethra

Question 29

What is the clinical significance of drainage from the prostatic venous plexus?

Answer 29

Suspected root of bony mets in prostate cancer - spreads to vertebral bodies

Question 30

Where are the bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands located?

Answer 30

The urogenital diaphragm

Question 31

Where do the bulbourethral glands empty into?

Answer 31

The penile/spongy urethra

Question 32

What secretions are produced by these glands?

Answer 32

Lubricating mucous (enters into the urethra during sexual arousal; contributed to less than 1% of semen)

Question 33

What is the lymphatic drainage of the prostate?

Answer 33

Internal iliac and sacral nodes

Question 34

What is the lymphatic drainage of the seminal vesicles?

Answer 34

External (superior part) and internal (inferior part) iliac nodes

Question 35

What is the lymphatic drainage of the scrotum?

Answer 35

Superficial inguinal nodes

Question 36

What is the lymphatic drainage of the penis? (3)

Answer 36

• Deep inguinal and external iliac drains gland and distal sponges urethra
• Internal iliac drains cavernous bodies and proximal spongey urethra
• Superficial inguinal drains the skin