Defining the Male Reproductive Tract Flashcards
What is the blood supply and nervous supply to the testes?
- Testicular artery
- Spermatic plexus
How many lobules are found in each testis?
250-300
How many seminiferous stables does each lobule in the testes have and what types are they?
4 seminiferous tubules
- Spermatogenic: Produce sperm
- Sertoli: Support germ cells production
What do Leydig cells secrete?
Testosterone
What is the route of sperm travel?
1) Seminiferous tubules (coiled and where it is produced)
2) Rete testis (straight)
3) Efferent ductules (ducts that leave the testis)
4) Epididymis (also able to store sperm)
5) Vas deferens (thin muscular tube)
How long is the vas deferens?
45cm
What is the spermatic cord?
What suspends the testes in the scrotum
What is the spermatic cord made up of?
- Vas deferens
- Blood and lymph vessels
- Cremaster muscle
- Nerves
What does the spermatic cord enter the abdomen through?
Superficial inguinal ring
What is the ejaculatory duct?
Where the vas deferens merges with the seminal duct and it is around 2cm long.
What accessory glands join the vas deferens?
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate
- Bulbourethral glands
What are the seminal vesicles?
5cm elongated organ that secretes alkaline fluid, fructose and coagulate
What is the prostate?
Inverted cone at the base of the bladder that secretes prostatic fluid
What are bulbourethral glands?
Pea sized glands inferior to the pelvis and its secretions aid the lubrication of the vas deferens
What are the different parts of the urethra?
Starts off as prostatic, then membranous, then penile.
