Essay 2.0 Flashcards
What is the average size of a testis?
4cm length by 2.5cm width
How does the size of the testes change with age?
Size of the testes decrease with age
How many lobules are the testes divided into?
Divided into about 250-400 lobules
What do the lobules in the testes contain?
Each contain 2-4 tightly coiled seminiferous tubules - the actual sperm factories
What surrounds the seminiferous tubules?
Seminiferous tubules are surrounded by smooth muscle
What cells surround the seminiferous tubules and what do they produce?
Leydig cells surround the seminiferous tubules and produce testosterone
What is the prepuce?
Loose skin held in place by the frenulum
What is circumcision?
Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin
What are the three erectile tissues in the penis?
Corpus cavernosa x2 and corpus spongiosum
What does the corpus cavernosa do?
Makes up most of the penis and is superior to the urethra when the penis is erect
What is the function of the corpus spongiosum?
Surrounds urethra - keeps it open during ejaculation
What is the epididymis?
Highly coiled ducts - usually 6-7 cm (6m in total)
What happens to sperm in the epididymis?
Sperm leave the testis and are stored here for a 20 day journey to learn to swim
What happens to sperm during urination?
Sperm ‘constant leak’ from the epididymis and are washed away during urination
How long can sperm be stored in the epididymis?
Several months
If held longer without ejaculation, they are eventually phagocytised.
What is the color of semen attributed to?
Secretion from the prostate gland
Semen is a mixture of sperm and accessory gland fluids.
What is the pH range of semen?
7.3-7.7
Semen requires a medium for sperm to swim in. What does this medium contain?
- Nutrients - Fructose, Amino acids
- Chemicals that suppress the immune response in the females reproductive system
*Spermidine - a compound that prolongs the lifespan of sperm
What is spermidine?
A compound that prolongs the lifespan of sperm
What type of control is an erection an example of?
Parasympathetic control of arterioles
What is released to cause the dilation of arterioles during an erection?
Nitric oxide (NO)
Which structures fill with blood during an erection?
- Corpus cavernosa
- Corpus spongiosum
What characterizes the first ejaculate?
Higher sperm count; prostatic fluid
What characterizes the second ejaculate?
Low sperm count; seminal fluid
What is the typical sperm count during masturbation?
Usually low sperm count
What is the typical sperm count during intercourse?
Usually high sperm count
What happens to the bladder sphincter during ejaculation?
Constricts to prevent expulsion of urine
What physiological action forces sperm and semen into the ductus deferens during ejaculation?
Peristalsis
What is the function of Cowper’s gland?
Produces a thick clear mucus that lubricates the glans penis during sexual excitement
Also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid (pre cum), it neutralizes traces of acidic urine in the urethra just prior to ejaculation.
Where is Cowper’s gland located?
Inferior to the prostate
What is spermatogenesis?
The process of producing male gametes - spermatozoa (sperm)
Occurs in seminiferous tubules.
At what age does spermatogenesis begin?
Age II-14 (puberty)
What is the daily sperm production (DSP)?
400 million
How long does spermatogenesis take?
Around 65 days
What cells surround sperm during spermatogenesis?
Sertoli cells
What role do Sertoli cells play in spermatogenesis?
Support sperm to mature
What initiates meiosis during spermatogenesis?
Increase in testosterone levels at puberty
What does a primary spermatocyte generate?
2 secondary spermatocytes
What is produced by each secondary spermatocyte?
Two haploid spermatids
This results in a total of four spermatids.
What is spermiogenesis?
The final stage of spermatogenesis where spermatids mature into spermatozoa (sperm cells)
How many events are involved in the transformation during spermiogenesis?
7 events
Fill in the blank: During spermiogenesis, enzymes are packed by the _______.
Golgi apparatus
What forms at the front of the sperm during spermiogenesis?
Acrosome
What forms at the back of the sperm during spermiogenesis?
Flagellum
What occurs during mitochondrial multiplication in spermiogenesis?
Forms rings around the proximal portion of the flagellum
What happens to excess cytoplasm during spermiogenesis?
Sloughing off excess cytoplasm
What is the final step in the maturation of a spermatid during spermiogenesis?
Matures into spermatozoa (sperm)
What are the accessory glands associated with the male reproductive system?
Seminal vesicles and prostate
The seminal vesicles are a pair of glands, while the prostate is a single organ.
What is the length of the seminal vesicles?
10-15 cm long tubular structure, coiled to measure 4-5 cm in length
What is the primary function of the fluid secreted by the seminal vesicles?
Neutralises vaginal acidic pH
The fluid comprises approximately 70% of semen volume and contains fructose and absorbic acid.
What components enhance sperm motility in seminal fluid?
Fructose and absorbic acid
Where do sperm and seminal fluid mix during ejaculation?
Ejaculatory duct
What is the size of the prostate gland?
3x4x2 cm
What percentage of semen fluid is secreted by the prostate?
30%
What is the role of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in semen?
Makes semen thinner
What hormone is secreted by the prostate to ensure sperm cell motility?
Spermine
What is dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in relation to testosterone?
Biologically active form of testosterone
What is a key characteristic of the chemical composition of semen?
Responsible for the characteristic odour of semen
What are the ovaries?
Pair organs located on either side of the uterus
Ovaries are essential for producing oocytes and hormones.
What are ovarian follicles?
Tiny sacklike structures embedded within the cortex of the ovaries
Each follicle contains an immature egg called an oocyte.
List the stages of maturation of ovarian follicles.
- Primordial follicle
- Primary follicle
- Secondary follicle
- Late secondary follicle
- Graafian follicle
These stages are distinguished by their structure.
What is the Graafian follicle?
A mature follicle that extends from the cortex and bulges from the surface of the ovary
It is involved in ovulation.
What occurs during ovulation?
One follicle ejects its oocyte from the ovary
After ovulation, the ruptured follicle transforms into the corpus luteum.
What is the female duct system?
Includes the fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina
These structures are involved in the reproductive process.
What is the function of the fallopian tubes?
Receive the ovulated oocyte and are the site where fertilisation usually occurs
The tubes are approximately 10cm long and 1-4mm in diameter.
What are fimbriae?
Finger-like projections on the fallopian tubes that help catch the released oocyte
Fimbriae are important for the fertilization process.
What is the size of the uterus in adults?
7.5cm in length, 5cm in width, and 2.5cm in thickness
The size can be smaller in women who have never been pregnant.
What are the three layers of the uterine walls?
- Perimeterium
- Myometrium
- Endometrium
These layers have distinct functions in the reproductive process.
What is the vagina?
A thin-walled tube, 8-10cm long, lying between the bladder and rectum
It serves as the birth canal.
What is the pH of the vagina, and why is it important?
pH 4, helps keep it healthy
The acidic environment protects against infections.
In virgins, what happens to the mucosa near the vaginal orfice?
Forms an incomplete partition called the hymen
What is the function of the uterus?
To receive, retain, and nourish a fertilised ovum
What is the hymen?
Thin fold of mucous membrane which extends across the vaginal opening (introitus)
The actual function of the hymen remains unclear.