Describe The Male Reproductive Anatomy Flashcards
What are the 7 male reproductive organs?
- Scrotum
- Testes
- Seminal vesicles
- Ejaculatory ducts
- Prostate
- Urethra
- Penis
Describe the scrotum
Pouch of pigmented skin, fibrous tissue and muscle divided into 2 compartments containing 1 testis and 1 epididymis + testicular end of spermatic cord
Describe seminal vesicles. What are its 3 main roles
Two fibromuscular reservoirs lying behind the prostate, close to posterior wall of bladder.
Joins vas deferens by small ducts to form ejaculatory duct which then joins urethra.
- secrets seminal fluid
- Provides energy for sperm.
- Assists coagulation of semen after intercourse.
Describe the prostrate. What is the bulbourethral gland?
Accessory gland located behind the public symphysis, in front of rectum and below bladder. It’s a collection of small blind follicles that secrete prostatic fluid which acts as a diluting fluid for spermatozoa.
This prostatic fluid helps semen coagulate after intercourse.
Bulbourethral gland - inferior to prostate and produces a fluid to protect sperm + secrete mucus to lubricate penis prior intercourse.
Describe the testes ( testicles)
Male reproductive glands, suspended in the scrotum.
What are the 3 layers of the testes
- Tunica vaginalis
- Tunica albuginea
- Tunica vasculosa
What is the tunica vaginalis?
Outer covering of membrane formed from peritoneum
What is tunica albuginea?
Fibrous covering, forms septa which divides testes into lobes
What is tunica vasculosa?
Network of capillaries
What are the 4 internal structures of the testis?
- Seminiferous tubules
- Leydig cells
- Epididymis
4.vans deferens
What is seminiferous tubules?
Convoluted loops of germinal epithelium. Produce spermatozoa.
What is leydig cells?
Lie between seminiferous tubules. Produces testosterone after puberty.
What is epididymis?
Single highly convoluted tubules forming a mass at upper pole of testis.
What is van deferens?
Duct formed from epididymis as it leaves the scrotum in the spermatic cord.
What are the two functions of the testes?
- They are responsible for spermatogenesis from puberty onwards
- Leydig cells secretes testosterone. They are stimulated from luteinising hormone produces from the pituitary gland. This causes the development of secondary sex characteristics.
What is the blood supply for the testes?
Testicular arteries / veins
What is the nerve supply for the testes?
Branch of 10/11th thoracic nerves - ilioinguinal nerve
Describe the penis
External male sex organ.
Passage for ejaculation of semen and excretion of urine.
Root and body - root in perinuem
- body surrounds urethra
Composed of 2 columns of erectile tissue:
What are the two columns of erectile tissue in a penis?
- Corposa cavernous - two lateral colomns
- Corpus spongiosum - midventral column containing urethra
What is the glans penis ?
Expanded triangular distal end covered with retractable foreskin (prepuce)
What are the two ligaments that support the penis ?
- Fundiform
- Suspensory
What is the blood supply for the penis?
Branches of internal pudendal arteries and veins
What is the nerve supply for the penis?
Autonomic and somatic nerves
Describe the process of an erection
Parasympathetic stimulus results in a massive increase of blood to fill the corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosum
Describe the process of ejaculation. What are the two phases?
This is a sympathetic reflex.
Bladder sphincter closes. Peristalsis action of vas deferens, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory ducts and prostate propel semens into the penile urethra.
1st phase: vas deferens (tubes that store and transport sperm to testes) contract to squeeze the sperm towards the base of the penis and the prostate gland and seminal vesicles release secretions to make semen.
2nd phase: muscles at the base of penis contract. This forces the semen out of the penis.
