A&P400 (Reproductive system) Flashcards
Male reprodutive system
..
functions of male reproductive system
1) gonads produce gametes
2) gonads produce hormones
male gametes are
sperm
male reproductive structure include
external genitalia
internal genitalia
external genitalia
1) penis
2) urethra
3) scrotum
penis contains
erectile tissue
penis is responsible for depositing ___ into ___
deposits sperm into vaigna
urethra, conducts ___ to ___
conducts SEMEN to exterior
urine(?)
scrotum function
surrounds and supports the testes
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SCROTUM:
—> scrotum
= SKIN
= DARTOS mm
= SUPERFICIAL FASCIA
NOT PART OF SCROTUM:
= cremaster mm
= tunica vaginalis
= tunica albuginea
ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE:
epididymis is distinct from TESTES
internal genitalia
1) testes
2) epididymis
3) ductus deferens (vas deferens)
4) seminal gland (seminal vesicles)
5) prostate
6) bulbo-urethral glands
testes function
produce sperm and hormones
epididymis function
the site of sperm MATURATION
vas deferens
passage that conducts sperm between…
A) EPIDIDYMIS
and c) PROSTATE
via B) EJACULATORY DUCT
(vas deferens and seminal vesicle merge into the ejaculatory duct)
—- NOTE THAT vas deferens doesn’t really go through seminal vesicle
—-> RATHER, the seminal vesicle JOINS with the AMPULLA of the Vas deferens to go to the PROSTATE, via the EJACULATORY DUCT
seminal gland/vesicle funciton
secretes fluids that make up majority (90%) of semen
prostate function
fluids and enzymes
fluids from prostate vs fluids from seminal vesicles
Secretions from the seminal vesicles make up about 60 percent of the volume of the semen
with most of the remainder coming from the prostate gland.
The sperm and secretions from the bulbourethral gland contribute only a small volume.
chemical properties of seminal vesicle fluids vs prostate fluids
Prostatic fluid is slightly acidic, but other components of semen make it alkaline overall.
This is to counteract the acidity of the vagina and protect the sperm from damage.
bulbourethral glands function
secretes fluids that lubricate the tip of the penis
glans etymology
acorn
bulbourethral glands also known as
Cowper’s glands
where does pre-ejaculate (pre-cum) primarily come from?
The Cowper’s gland is the main source of the pre-ejaculate fluid.
It is situated below the prostate and is also called the bulbourethral gland.
what is the function of pre-ejaculate?
It produces an alkaline, mucus-like fluid during sexual stimulation.
Pre-ejaculation fluid neutralizes the acidity in the urethra.
PATH OF SPERM
..
where sperm made?
Made in the testes (in LOBULES OF TESTES)
Moved to the epididymis
Then along the ductus (vas) deferens
Then along the ejaculatory duct to the urethra
SCROTUM
Cutaneous outpouching of the abdomen that houses and supports the testes
scrotal septum
Scrotal septum separates right and left cavities
—> Marked by a raised thickening (RAPHE OF SCROTUM) in the scrotal surface
the perineal raphe (raphe of scrotum) – function
The perineal raphe joins your internal septum with your scrotum.
(The scrotal septum divides the scrotal sac into two parts.)
Dartos etymology
Derived from the Greek δέρνω/derno (beat, flog) and/or δέρμα/derma (skin), meaning “that which is skinned or flayed”, possibly due to its appearance.
dartos muscle vs dartos fascia
The dartos muscle is the thin rugated fascial muscle of the scrotum made of smooth muscle. Hence it is also referred to as dartos fascia or simply the dartos.
It forms from the subcutaneous tissue of the scrotum and base of the penis and attaches to the scrotal skin and fibrous midline septum between the testes.
NOTE:
THIS MAY BE INCORRECT AS OTHER DIAGRAMS INDICATE THAT DARTOS FASCIA IS IN THE PENIS (SUPERFICIAL FASCIA OF PENIS) AND IS DIFFERENT FROM DARTOS MM IN SCROTUM
dartos fascia is continuous with
scrotal septum
—> continuous in the sense that they are the same tissue (?)
—-> appears that way in diagram
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SCROTUM:
—> scrotum
= SKIN
= DARTOS mm
= SUPERFICIAL FASCIA
NOT PART OF SCROTUM:
= cremaster mm
= tunica vaginalis
= tunica albuginea
ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE:
epididymis is distinct from TESTES
dartos muscle
part of or interchangeable term vs dartos fascia (?)
Smooth muscle in the skin of the scrotum
dartos muscle function
Elevates testes and contracts the scrotum (reduces heat loss)
CREMASTER MUSCLE
Contracts to pull testes closer to body during sexual arousal or when exposed to cold temperature
DARTOS mm vs CREMASTER mm:
“The Cremaster and Dartos muscles work together to maintain the temperature of the testicles which is responsible for spermatogenesis. The Cremaster Muscle also prevents injuries during sex, and moments of fear and flight. The Dartos Muscle is responsible for mobility, and blood supply to penile skin.”
why do the testicles need to be pulled closer to body during sexual arousal?
The cremaster muscle is an involuntary muscle and contraction can occur during arousal which can prevent injury to the testicles during sexual intercourse.
(Contraction also occurs during orgasm and ejaculation.)
chatgpt’s logic about why testicles need to be closer to body during sexual arousal
(could have errors)
“This reflex helps regulate the temperature of the testicles, keeping them at an optimal temperature for sperm production and health. The closer position during arousal can also enhance sensitivity and may help prepare the body for ejaculation. This physiological response is part of the overall changes that occur in the body during sexual excitement.”
scrotuma nd associated structures
..
spermatic cord
a bundle of nerves, ducts, and blood vessels connecting the testicles to the abdominal cavity.
Extend through the inguinal canals between testes and abdominopelvic cavity
spermatic cord contains layers of fascia and muscle enclosing …
ductus deferens
blood vessels (testicular artery and veins)
Nerves
lymphatic vessels
superficial (external) inguinal ring
Entrance to the INGUINAL CANAL
The superficial or external ring is the terminal end of the inguinal canal. It is located just superior to the pubic tubercle.
The superficial ring has a triangular shape that is made by fibers of the external oblique muscle.
the testes (sing. testis/testicle)
5 cm long; 3 cm wide; 2.5 cm thick
Each weighs 10 – 15 g
testes formation during fetal development
Form inside the body cavity adjacent to the kidneys
Late in fetal development (~ 7 months), connective tissue band contracts
Pulls each testis through abdominal musculature into the scrotum
tunica vaginalis of the testes
1) parietal layer of the tunica vaginalis
2) visceral layer of the tunica vaginalis
3) tunica albuginea of the testes
about the tunica vaginalis of the testes
serous membrane derived from peritoneum partially covers testes
recall – what do all serous membranes have in common?
(which also occurs at the tunica vaginalis)
Just like other serous membrances, fluid can collect here
what is it called when fluid (excess fluid?) forms in the tunica vaginalis of the testes
Called a HYDROCELE
“Hydrocele is the type of scrotal swelling that occurs when fluid collects in the thin sheath that surrounds the testicle.”
hydrocele prognosis
Simple hydroceles in children often go away without surgery. In adults, hydroceles usually do not go away on their own. If surgery is needed, it is an easy procedure with very good outcomes. After surgery, a hydrocele can sometimes reoccur.
tunica albuginea of the testes
dense, white, irregular CT capsule, deep to tunica vaginalis
Extends inward to form many septa, which form 200-300 LOBULES
each (of the 200-300) lobules of the testes are filled with …
2 or 3 SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES
seminiferous etymology
semen – seed
iferous – “having, bearing, or containing (a specified thing).” (ferous)
what is the function of the SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES
This is where spermatogenesis happens
**
“Seminiferous tubules are structures located inside the male testes. They consist of a network of tubes composed of unique cells known as sertoli cells. The seminiferous tubules are the site where meiosis, or the production of sex cells, takes place.”
order of layers of scrotum
1) SKIN
2) DARTOS mm
3) SUPERFICIAL FASCIA
= AKA SCROTUM
4) CREMASTER mm
5) TUNICA VAGINALIS
6) TUNICA ALBUGINEA (forming septa testis)
7) seminiferous tubules (within the septa tesis of tunica albuginea)
—> which join via/w/ RETE TESIS –> efferent ductules –> Epididymis
rete testis etymology
rete = netwrok
rete testis function
A network of small tubes in the testicle that helps move sperm cells (male reproductive cells) from the testicle to the epididymis.
cells of the seminiferous tubules
3 cell types
The seminiferous epithelium that lines the tubules consists of three cell types:
1) spermatogonia, which are stem cells
2) spermatocytes, which are in the process of becoming mature sperm cells (after becoming spermatids)
(also technically a fourth type? –> spermatids)
3) Sertoli cells, which nurture developing sperm and secrete a variety of products into the blood and the lumina of seminiferous tubules.
what about the spaces between the seminiferous tubules
Spaces between tubules contain:
1) Areolar tissue
2) Blood vessels
3) Leydig cells (Large interstitial endocrine)
1) areolar tissue (between seminiferous tubules)
FUNCTION
Provides a protective framework that keeps major structures in place and offers support. Contains mast cells that help prevent infection. The areolar tissue is also dense with collagen fibres, which makes it strong and rigid.
3) Leydig cells (interstitial endocrine cells) function
Produce androgens, such as testosterone and androstenedione (dominant sex hormones in males)
Sertoli cells of seminiferous tububles
aka
Nurse cells
or Sustentacular cells
function of sustentacular cells
extend from basement membrane to lumen of seminiferous tubule
protect, support, nourish developing sperm
phagocytize excess SPERMATID cytoplasm
produce fluid for sperm transport (probably small amount compared to seminal vesicles & prostate)
spermatids
“one of the haploid cells that are formed by the second meiotic division of a spermatocyte and that differentiate into spermatozoa compare ootid”
sustentacular (Sertoli or nurse) cells also …
release sperm into lumen
release INHIBIN (hormone)
form BLOOD-TESTIS BARRIER
inhibin function
Inhibin is a protein secreted by the Sertoli cells in men and by the granulosa cells in women.
It inhibits the synthesis and release of the follicle-stimulating hormone in the pituitary gland and reduces the hypothalamic LH - releasing hormone content.
“a gonadal hormone which inhibits the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone, under consideration as a potential male contraceptive.”
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) function
It triggers the growth of eggs in the ovaries and gets the eggs ready for ovulation. Ovulation is when an ovary releases an egg so it can travel down a fallopian tube where it can be fertilized by sperm. In men, FSH helps control the amount of sperm that the testicles (testes) make.
blood testis barrier function
isolate developing gametes from blood
prevents immune response from developing against spermatogenic cells’ surface antigens b/c they are “foreign”
three other cell types of the seminiferous tubules (technically just sperm cells at various stages of development)
The walls of the seminiferous tubules also contains the developing sperm cell at different stages of development:
A) Spermatogonia (stem cells)
B) Spermatocytes (undergoing meiosis)
C) Spermatids (undergoing spermiogenesis)
—> Develop into mature sperm
what is SPERMIATION
Process in which a sperm loses attachment to the nurse cell (sustentacular cell) and enters the tubule lumen
spermatogenesis
The development of sperm
Complete maturation takes 65-75 days
Millions of sperm produced per day
4 basic steps of spermatogenesis
1) Creation of many SPERMATOGONIUM through mitosis
2) MEIOSIS to create gametes
3) SPERMIOGENESIS to create functional sperm
4) SPERMIATION
1) Creation of many spermatogonium through mitosis
Primordial germ cells migrate from yolk sac to testes in 5th week gestation (fetus)
Differentiate into spermatogonia & remain dormant until puberty
At puberty, spermatogonium undergo mitosis
spermatogonia cell features
diploid cells
stem cells that undergo mitosis
where can spermatogonia stay?
some stay near BASEMENT MEMBRANE of seminiferous tubule for future cell divisions and sperm production
some squeeze through tight junctions to other side of blood-testes border and differentiate into PRIMARY SPERMATOCYTES
blood testis barrier location
The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is located at the border between BASAL and APICAL compartments of the seminiferous epithelium.