Lecture 21 - Male Reproductive Flashcards
How long is the epididymis?
4cm long = length of epididymis
Where is the epididymis located?
Epididymis
Location = in scrotum, btwn the seminiferous tubules and the vas deferens
Which border of the testes does the epididymis occupy?
The posterior border
Describe the structure and their functions of the - Epididymis
Head:
- contains and receives sperm from the seminiferous tubules
- forms a cap around the upper pole of the testes
Body:
- lies on the posterior boarder of the testes and contains the highly coiled duct of epididymis
Tail:
- near the inferior boarder of the testes
- no coiling
- reverses its direction and ascends into the ductus deferens
- stores sperm
- continuous with the vas deferens
Where are sperm stored
Tail of epididymis = stores sperm
Describe the histology of the Epididymis
Epididymis - Histology
- lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia (microvilli)
- regulates the composition of tubular fluid
- walls contain smooth muscle and peristaltic contractions move sperm thru the duct
What are the functions of the epididymis (3)
Epididymis
1) Monitor and adjust fluid composition form seminiferous tubules
2) Recycle damaged sperm
3) Storage and functional maturation of sperm
How long are the ductus deferens?
45 cm long = length of ductus deferens
Where does the ductus deferens start and end?
Start: epididymis
End: ejaculatory duct
What forms the ejaculatory duct
The ductus deferens joins the seminal vesicles to form the ejaculatory duct
What part of the ductus deferens joins the ejaculatory ductqq
the ampulla of the ductus deferens joins the seminal vesicles to form the ejaculatory duct
Where does the ejaculatory duct empty into the urethera?
In the prostate the ejaculatory duct empties into the urethra
What is the composition of the ductus deferens epithelium?
Vas deferens = pseudostratified columnar epithelium with sterocilia
How many layer of muscle does the vas deferens have
3 - in and out long, mid circle
What is the function of the vas deferens?
Vas deferens = conveys sperm during sexual arousal from the epididymis towards the urethra by peristaltic contractions
- can store sperm, but will eventually reabsorb if not used
What forms the ejaculatory duct
The union of the seminal vesicle and the ampulla of the ductus deferens fomes the ejaculatory duct
Urethra length =
Urethra length = 15-20cm
Urethra purpose (male)
Urethra = passageway for semen and urine