A & P - reproductive systems Flashcards
what are the functions of the male reproductive system?
introduce male gamete to female repro. tract
produce androgens
production, storage and nourishment of male gametes
what does the male reproductive system consist of?
testes scrotum ducts glands penis
name the 3 ducts of the male reproductive system
epididymal duct
vas (ductus) deferens
urethra
name 3 glands of the male reproductive system
bulbourethral
seminal vesicles
prostate
what are the dimensions of the testes?
4cm long x 2.5cm diameter
what separates the 2 compartments of the scrotum?
scrotal septum
what is the raphe?
median ridge which separates scrotum externally
what is each testis suspended by?
spermatic cord
what does the spermatic cord pass through?
inguinal canal - diagonally form/to abdominal cavity
what does the spermatic cord contain?
vas (ductus) deferens testicular artery cremasteric artey cremaster muscle testicular venous plexus lymph vessels nerves
how many lobules does each testis have?
300
what divides the testis into lobules?
tunica albuginea
how many seminiferous tubules does each lobule in testis contain?
1 to 4
where does spermatogenesis occur?
seminiferous tubules
what is spermatogenesis?
creation of spermatozoa
what forms the walls of the seminiferous tubules?
Sertoli (sustentacular) cells
what is the function of the sertoli cells?
secrete nutrients for spermatozoa
what are in the wall of the seminiferous tubules?
spermatogenic cells
where in the wall of the seminiferous tubule are mature cells most likely to be?
near lumen - ready to be released
what is mitosis?
division of a parent cell into 2 identical daughter cells
what is meiosis?
occurs in germ cells to produce gamete - number of chromosomes reduced to 23 pairs
what is spermiogensis?
converts spermatids to spermatozoa
when does meiosis I occur in males?
at puberty
how many spermatids are created from 1 germ cell?
4
describe the structure of spermatozoa
head - nucleus (DNA), acrosome (enzymes)
middle piece - mitochondria (power)
tail - flagellum (movement)
what are sertoli cells in seminiferous tubules needed for?
maturation of spermatozoa - support & nourish
release spermatozoa into lumen
produce fluid to transport spermatozoa
what are leydig cells in seminiferous tubules needed for?
secretion of androgenic steroids (eg. testosterone)
what is the blood-testis barrier in seminiferous tubules needed for?
to stop blood and sperm cells mixing - could cause immune response
what do sertoli cells in seminiferous tubules secrete?
inhibin
androgen binding protein
mullerian-inhibiting substance
what is the structure of the sertoli cell?
tall columnar polymorphic cells
what temperature do the testes need to be?
35c
which muscle draws the testes closer to the body?
cremaster muscle
which muscle is used to decrease surface area of the testes by wrinkling skin?
dartos muscle
where does heat exchange take place to cool the testes?
pampiniform plexus (venous plexus)
secretions from the leydig cells in seminiferous tubules causes what to develop?
the secondary sexual characteristics (eg. public hair)
where are spermatozoa matured?
in the tail of epididymus
name the ducts which join the seminiferous tubules to the urethra
straight seminiferous tubules rete testis epididymal duct vas (ductus) deferens ejaculatory duct ureathra
describe the structure of the vas deferens
45cm long fibromuscular tube.
a narrow lumen surrounded by thick muscle
what are the functions of the vas deferens?
stores and conveys spermatozoa
how does the vas deferens enter the abdominal cavity?
through inguinal canal
describe the route the vas deferens takes
medial to ureter and superior, then posterior to bladder
what is the dilated terminal end of the vas deferens called?
ampulla
how are spermatozoa expelled from vas deferens?
peristalsis
what are stereocilia? and what is their function?
microvilli in the vas deferens which absorb dead/damaged sperm
where is the vas deferens cut in a vasectomy?
near epididymis
name the 3 accessory glands of the male reproductive system
seminal vesicle
prostate
bulbo-urethral
describe the structure of the seminal vesicle
convoluted muscular gland
5cm long
posterior to bladder
joins vas deferens to form ejaculatory duct
what does the seminal vesicle secrete?
alkaline- nutrients (fructose) containing secretion
what volume of the semen does the secretion from the seminal vesicles account for?
60%
describe the structure of the prostate gland
4cm x 3cm x 2cm
inferior to bladder
surrounds prostatic urethra
what is the function of secretion from the prostate gland and what volume do they account for in semen?
assist sperm motility
25% of semen volume
what is the name for an enlarged prostate?
benign prostatic hyperplasia
what are the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia?
increase frequency of urination
nocturia urgency
hesitancy
weak stream
what are the treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia?
alpha androgenic blockers - Alfuzosin
5-alpha reductase inhibitor - Finasteride
what is prostatitis?
inflammation of the prostate - acute (bacterial) or chronic (unknown)
what are the symptoms of prostatitis?
painful urination and ejaculation
discomfort in pelvis
what are the treatments of prostatitis?
antibiotics
alpha inhibitors
what test can be performed to diagnosis prostate cancer?
prostate - specific antigen blood test
why does prostate cancer often metastasize?
its connected to the venous plexus
describe the structure of the bulbo-urethral glands
1cm in diameter
lined by mucus secreting epithelium
produced mucus like secretion during arousal
neutralises urine residue
describe the structure of the urethra
20cm long
3 parts: prostatic part, membranous part, spongy part
name 3 regions of the penis
root, shaft, glans penis
where does the bulb of the penis attach?
inferior to the surface of urogenital membrane - becomes corpus spongiosum
where does the crura of the penis attach
roof of the penis to pubic arch - becomes corpus cavernosa
what is the shaft of the penis bound by?
tunica albugina
what forms the glans penis?
tip of corpus spongiosum