Intro Flashcards
What is the origin of the testicular arteries?
Front of the aorta, just below origin of the renal arteries
Describe the venous drainage of the testis
Venous drainage is achieved via the paired testicular veins. They are formed from the pampiniform plexus in the scrotum – a network of veins wrapped around the testicular artery. In the retroperitoneal space of the abdomen, the left testicular vein drains into the left renal vein, while the right testicular vein drains directly into the inferior vena cava.
Describe he venous drainage to the scrotum
The scrotal veins follow the major arteries, draining into the external pudendal veins.
Describe the venous drainage of the prostate gland
Venous drainage of the prostate is via the prostatic venous plexus, draining into the internal iliac veins. However, the prostatic venous plexus also connects posteriorly by networks of veins, including the Batson venous plexus, to the internal vertebral venous plexus.
Describethe lymphatic drainage of the testes
to the lumbar and para-aortic nodes, along the lumbar vertebrae.
Describe the lymphatic drainage to the scrotum
drains into the nearby superficial inguinal nodes.
Describe the lymphatic drainage to the prostate gland
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From which layers of the anterior abdominal wall are the fascial coverings of the spermatic cord derived?
External spermatic fascia - deep subcutaneous fascia (fascia innominata)
Cremaster muscle and fascia - internal oblique muscle and its fascial coverings
Internal spermatic fascia - transversalis fascia
What substances are secreted in seminal vesicles, and what % of semen does it make up?
Alkaline fluid - neutralises acidity in urethra and vagina to facilitate survival of spermatozoa
Fructose - energy source
Prostaglandins - suppress female immune response to semen
Clotting factors- designed to keep seven in the female reproductive tract post-ejaculation
65-70%
What substances are secretedfrom the prostate gland, and what % of semen does this make up?
Proteolytic enzymes - break down clotting factors in ejacukate, 25%
What substances are secreted from BUlbourethral glands and what % of semen does this make up?
Mucus containing glycoproteins, lubrication, expens residue of dead cells, urine etc in urethra, neutralises acidity, 5%
What can lead to variococoele?
The venous drainage is via the pampiniform plexus, which surrounds the artery and is thought to cool blood arriving to the testes further. It then forms the right and left testicular vein. On the right, this drains directly into the inferior vena cava (IVC), and on the left side, it drains into the left renal vein before joining the IVC. If obstructed, for example due to renal or intraabdominal pathology, this can enlarge leading to a varicocoele.
Describe the layers surrounding the testes
In order to descend, the testes took layers of the abdominal wall to form the inguinal canal, a common point of hernias (which will be covered in more detail in the GI unit). They also took the peritoneum with them, which envelopes the testes as the tunica vaginalis. This can fill with fluid, leading to a hydroceoele. The internal structure of each testis is supported by the capsule, or tunica albuginea.
Where does spermatogenesisoccur?
Seminiferous tubules
What are the 2 typesofcels in the seminiferous tubules?
Sertoli cells, which are responsible for spermatogenesis, and Leydig cells that produce testosterone.
