anatomy - male reproductive organs Flashcards
difference between male and female urethral
female is much shorter (~4cm)
male pelvis components
testes epididymis ductus deferens seminal vesicles prostate urethra urinary bladder ureter bulbourethral glands
what is the fibrous covering of the testes called
tunica albuginea
where are the seminal glands/vesicles located
posterior aspect of the bladder above the prostate
ureter is lateral to the vas deferens and the vas deferens crosses the ureter before it enters the seminal glands
what structure maintains the temperature of the testes
dartos muscle - contracts in cold to pull the testes up closer to the body, relaxes in warm
functions with the cremaster muscle
which muscle is the cremaster muscle an extension of
internal oblique
what is the innervation of the cremaster muscle
genitofemoral nerve - genital branch
components of the testes
fibrous septi
torturous seminiferous tubules
torturous epididymis behind then becomes the vas deferens
what is between the seminiferous tubules
interstitial cells
how many lobules do each testis contains
~250 - divided by septi
each lobule has 1-4 highly convolutes seminiferous tubules
where are the spermatozoa produced
seminiferous tubules
what is the rete testis
plexus of channels where seminiferous tubules converge
what emerges from the rete testis
15-20 small ducts known as ductuli efferentes
function of sertoli cells
support and nourish the developing spermatozoa
what are leydig cells
endocrine cells
located in the interstitial spaces between tubules
function of epididymis
accumulation, storage and maturation of spermatozoa
epithelium of epipdidymis
pseudostratified epithelium
very long microvilli called stereocilia - push the sperm towards the vas deferens
what is secreted by the seminal vessel
alkaline fluid mainly
rich in fructose, vit c, prostaglandins, fibrinogen - helps the sperm mature and survive
epithelial lining of seminal vessel
pseudostratified tall columnar
components of seminal vessel
secretory cells will lipid droplets in the cytoplasm
lumen of seminal vessels is highly irregular
smooth muscular wall
location of prostate
surrounds the beginning of the urethra - prostatic urethra
tissue type in prostate
fibro-muscular glandular tissue
what are corpora amylacea
thickened prostatic secretions may accumulate in some glands, increase in number with age
can become calcifies
prostatic fluid components
makes up 1/2 of the seminal fluid
thin liquid rich in citric acid and proteolytic enzymes
composition of vas deferens
muscular tube
3 layers - very thick wall, inner and outer longitudinal, intermediate circular
stellate lumen
epithelium of vas deferens
pseudostratified columnar
function of vas deferens
transport secretions from the testes
composition of the rete testis
highly vascular collagenous connective tissue containing myeloid cells
myeloid cell contraction - mix and move
single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells with microvilli and single cillium
