Anatomy Of The Male Reproductive System Flashcards
What are the layers of the wall of the scrotum composed of?
Skin Dartos fascia Dartos muscle External spermatic fascia Cremaster muscle Cremasteric fascia Internal spermatic fascia
Describe the cremaster muscle.
Skeletal muscle
Runs in the spermatic cord
Contacts in the cold weather to raise the testes (cremasteric reflex)
Describe the dartos muscle
Smooth muscle
Located in the dermis
Gives the scrotum it’s wrinkly appearance
What is found under the spermatic fascia?
The tunica vaginalis of the testes
- closed peritoneal sac
- visceral and parietal layers
- space between contains peritoneal fluid
What forms a hydrocele?
Excess fluid between the parietal and visceral layers of the tunica vaginalis.
Briefly describe the decent of the testes in utero.
7th weeks
Gubernaculum testes formed after the mesonephros has atrophied
The gubernaculum pulls the testes down through the inguinal canal
The deferent duct is tricked behind, ready to become the vas deferents
Describe the pathway of the duct system in testes.
The seminiferous tubules are coiled up into lobules
The ends of the seminiferous tubules in each lobule join to form a straight tubule
The straight tubules all join to form a network (rete testes)
From this network the efferent ductlules leave to join the epididymis
What is the blood supply of the testes?
The testicular artery
What is the venous drainage of the testes?
The pampiniform plexus, which drains to the testicular vein, which drains to the IVC on the right and the left renal vein on the left
Where do the lymphatic vessels in the testes drain to?
Testes drain to the para-aortic nodes
Scrotum drains to the inguinal nodes
What is the histology of the epididymis?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium lined with stereocilia
- increases surface area for fluid reabsorption
- can monitor and adjust fluid composition
What’s the most important feature of the ductus deferens?
The thick muscular wall capable of peristalsis to move the immobile sperm
What happens at the end of the ductus deferens?
It widens (the ampulla region) and a seminal vesicle joins it to become the ejaculatory duct
Where do the ejaculatory ducts join the urethra?
Within the prostate gland
What are the accessory glands of the male?
Bulbourethral glands
Prostate
Seminal vesicles
