ANATOMY: male Reproductiove System Flashcards
Structures of male reproductive system
- Testis (plural: Testes) – External
- Epididymis – External
- Ductus deferens – External to Internal
- Seminal Vesicles – Gland – Internal
- Ejaculatory duct – Internal
- Prostate – Gland – Internal
- Urethra – Internal to External
- Bulbo-urethral gland – Internal
- Penis – External (roots Internal)
What are Testes
Originally develop in the abdomen and descend before birth (usually).
Paired structures.
Sizes of Testes in adults
- ~4-5cm in length
- ~2-3cm in breadth
- ~3-4cm in anteroposterior diameter
- Between 12-20g
- Testicular volume between 15-25ml
Where are Testes stored?
Stored within the scrotal sac (scrotum) externally.
•Most likely for temperature regulation of sperm production.
Structure of Testes
Tunica albuginea
Tunica vaginali
Three parts
What is the Tunica albuginea
Capsule
Contains 400-600 seminiferous tubules •To straight tubules •To rete testis (in mediastinum testis) •To 12-20 efferent ductules •To epididymis
What is the Tuniva vaginalis ?
Closed sac of peritoneum
- Processus vaginalis is a connection between scrotum and peritoneal cavity.
- Closure after testicular descent leads to fibrous/ligamentous remnant
What are the Three parts in Testes?
Three parts:
•Parietal layer
•Cavity- Contains varying volumes of clear, straw-coloured fluid
•Visceral layer
Structure of Epididymis
Runs along the posterolateral side of the testis, contained within the tunica vaginalis.
Stores spermatozoa prior to ejaculation.
Spermatozoa mature in the epididymis, acquiring the ability to move and fertilise an egg.
Convergence of efferent ductules form a coiled mass called?
Head of epididymis
- Form a single, long coiled duct – the body of the epididymis
- Enlarges to form the tail of the epididymis
- Continues as the ductus deferens
Ductus deferens is also known as?
Vans deferens
Function of Ductus Deferens
Transports spermatozoa to the ejaculatory duct and urethra during ejaculation.
Structure that is cut during a vasectomy.
What is cut during vasectomy
Ductus deferens (vans deferens)
Structure of Ductus deferens
Begins at the tail of the epididymis
Runs within the spermatic cord - posterior and parallel to the spermatic vessels
Moves through the inguinal canal to the anterior abdominal wall.
•Passes through the deep inguinal ring and bends medially at the pelvic inlet to enter the pelvic cavity- Runs over the external iliac artery and vein
•Descends the pelvic wall, deep to the peritoneum
•Crosses the ureter posterior to the bladder
•Continues to the base of the bladder, anterior to the rectum, and almost in the midline.
•Between ureter and ejaculatory duct it becomes tortuous again and expands to form the ampulla of the ductus deferens.
•Together with the duct of the seminal vesicle it forms the ejaculatory duct
•Penetrates the prostate gland to connect with the prostatic urethra.
Structure of Seminal vesicles
Paired accessory glands of the male reproductive system.
Contribute significantly to the volume of ejaculate.
Coiled tube with numerous pocket-like outgrowths.
Contained within a dense, fibromuscular sheath and partly covered in peritoneum.
Narrows inferiorly to form a straight duct which converges with the ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct.