Chapter 22: Reproductive System Flashcards
male reproductive cells
sperm
female reproductive cells
egg
meiosis
reduces chromosome # in sex cell; 46 to 23
vasectomy
disconnects vas deferens
testes
site of sperm production; primary sex organs
gubernaculum
aids testes descent through inguinal canal
spermatic cord
after descention; contains vas deferens, blood vessels, nerves
when does descention of the testes occur?
1-2 months before birth
tunica albuginea
tough, fibrous capsule enclosing each testis
lobules
about 250 compartments, each separated by connective tissue
seminiferous tubules
- highly coiled tubules inside lobules
- lined with stratified epithelium containing spermatogenic cells
- where sperm cell production begins
interstitial cells (cells of leydig)
- lie between seminiferous tubules
- produce & secrete male sex hormones
hernia
protrusion of tissue through opening
sustentacular (sertoli) cells
large cells, spanning the entire thickness of the epithelium of a seminiferous tubule, which support and nourish spermatogenic cells throughout development into sperm
spermiogenesis
maturation of spermatid into sperm cells
spermatogenesis
formation of sperm cells; complete process of production from geminal epithelium
sperm formation pathway
spermatogonia – primary spermatocyte – secondary spermatocyte – spermatids – spermatozoa
sperm cell structure (3)
- head
- midpiece
- tail (flagellum)
head
- nucleus with 23 chromosomes
- acrosome
acrosome
contains enzymes that can penetrate the layers of the egg cell
midpiece
contains mitochondria
tail (flagellum)
- contains many microtubules enclosed in extension of cell membrane; lashing movement propels the sperm toward the egg
male accessory internal organs include (7)
- epididymides
- ductus deferentia
- ejaculatory ducts
- urethra
- seminal vesciles
- prostate gland
- bulbourethral glands
