Final Flashcards
Male and female reproductive systems…
produce and nurture sex cells, and transport them to the site of fertilization
What are the testes?
the primary sex organ of the male reproductive system
What is the tunica vaginalis?
a piece of peritoneum that descended with the testes into the scrotal sac.
What is the function of the tunica vaginalis?
facilitates movement of testes within scrotum
What is the tunica albuginea?
dense white capsule on outside of testes
What are in the lobules of the testes?
seminiferous tubules
What is the purpose of the seminiferous tubules?
produce sperm.
other than spermatogenic cells, what cells line the seminiferous tubules?
Sertoli or sustentacular cells.
What is the function of Sertoli cells?
- form the blood testis barrier
- nourish spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa
what is the function of the blood-testis barrier?
prevent an immune response against spermatogenic cells.
what are the functions of the organs of the male reproductive system?
- mediate the effects of testosterone and FSH on spermatogenesis
- phagocytose excess spermatids cytoplasm
- control movements of spermatogenic cells and release sperm into the lumen of seminiferous tubules
- secrete fluid for sperm transport
- secrete inhibin (inhibits FSH, slows sperm production)
What is produced by interstitial cells?
testosterone
channels leading from the seminiferous tubules carry sperm to…
epididymus and ductus (vas) deferens
what is the scrotum?
A pouch of skin and subcutaneous tissue that houses the testes.
What temperature does sperm require to survive?
3 degrees lower than core body temperature.
what muscle of the scrotum causes wrinkling?
dartos muscle
when it is warm, the scrotum is…
relaxed (increases surface area for cooling)
when it is cold, the scrotum…
wrinkles
the cremaster muscle in the spermatic cord…
elevates testes on exposure to cold and arousal.
what is the spermatic cord?
a supporting structure of the male reproductive system
what makes up the spermatic cord?
- cremaster muscle
- ductus (vas) deferens
- testicular artery
- veins and lymphatic vessels
- autonomic nerves
what is the penis?
contains the urethra and serves as a passageway for ejaculation of semen.
what are the anatomical parts of the penis?
- root (made up of bulb and crura)
- body
- glans penis
the body of the penis contains three erectile tissue masses what are they?
- paired corpora cavernosa penis (1&2)
- unpaired corpus spongiosum penis (3)
Erection is caused by…
parasympathetic reflex
- sexual stimulation causes arteries of penis to dilate
- nitric oxide mediates local vasodilation
What occurs during ejaculation?
sympathetic reflex
- muscle contractions close sphincter at base of bladder
- peristaltic contractions in the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory ducts, and prostate propel semen into the penile portion of spongy urethra.
After ejaculation,
blood flow is restricted to penis and small muscles around the erectile tissue masses force blood out of the penis making it flaccid again
What is the epididymus?
tightly coiled tube laying adjacent to the testis and leading from the testis to the vas deferens
what is the function of the epididymus?
site of sperm maturation and storage. (sperm can remain in storage up to a month)