Chapter 16 Reproductive Flashcards
Male Reproductive system functions
sperm production
secrete testosterone
Male reproductive primary organs
testes
Male reproductive duct system
epididymis
vas deferens
ejaculatory duct
urethra
Male reproductive accessory organs
seminal vesichles
prostate
bulbourethral gland
Male external genitalia
scrotum
penis
Tunica albuginea
capsule that surrounds each testis
site of sperm production
testes lobule containing tightly coiled seminiferous tubules
sertoli cells
support and nourish sperm
regulate sperm production
Spermatogonia
produce sperm
interstitial cells
between seminiferous tubules
produce androgens such as testosterone
Epididymis
6 meters of coiled tube: found in the superior part of the testis and slong the posterior lateral side
site of sperm maturation and storage
concentration of muscles in the wall of the epididymis expels sperm with the vas deferens
Vas Deferens
Ductus Deferens
carries sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct
ejaculation
smooth muscle in the walls of the vas deferens create peristaltic waves to squeeze the sperm forward
vasectomy
cutting the vas deferens at the level of the testes to prevent the transportation of sperm
Ejaculatory duct
short duct that connects the vas deferens to the urethra
within the prostate gland
urethra
extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the tip of the penis
carries urine and sperm
sperm enters from the ejaculatory duct
seminal vesicles
located posterior to the urinary bladder
secretes alkaline fluid into ejaculatory ducts:
fructose-energy for sperm
60% of final semen volume
prostate gland
inferior to urinary bladder
secretes alkaline fluid:
helps activate sperm
enters the urethra through several small ducts
bulbourethral glands
semen
mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions:
alkaline pH: 7.2-7.6 (neutralizes vaginal secretions)
volume 2-5ml
average sperm count: 120 million per ml
sperm
non mobile with the male reproductive system
begin to swim in an alkaline environment
capacitation
changes that allow sperm to fertilize egg
occurs within the female reproductive tract
scrotum
divided pouch of skin posterior to the penis
maintains the testes about 3 deg C lower than body temp to protect sperm
penis
delivers sperm into the female reproductive tract
regions of the penis
shaft
glans penis (enlarged tip)
prepuce (foreskin): folded cuff or skin around proximal end
often removed by circumcision
internally 3 areas of spongy erectile tissue
erections occur when erectile tissue fills with blood during sexual excitement
spermatogenesis
production of sperm cells
entire process takes 64-72 days
production of sperm cells
meiotic cell division
begins at puberty and continues throughout life
occurs in the seminiferous tubules
spermatogenesis cycle