Male Anatomy Flashcards
Define the inguinal canal
Oblique passageway through the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall
Where does the inguinal canal lie
Superior to the medial half of the inguinal canal
What does each half of the scrotum contain
Testis
Epididymis
Lower part of the spermatic cord
What is beneath the skin on the scrotum
Thin layer of superficial fascia
Thin, involuntary muscle (dartos)
What is the thin, involuntary muscle underneath the scrotal skin called
Dartos
What forms the septum which divides the scrotum into right and left halves
Superficial fascia
What are the testes covered by
Three layers of spermatic fascia
Partially surrounded by tunica vaginalis
What is the tunica vaginalis
Sac derived from the peritoneum
What is the epididymis
Coiled tube lying along the posterior border of each testis
What is the shape of the epididymis
Expanded head superiorly
Body and pointed tail lying at the lower pole of the testis
Where are spermatozoa formed
Testis
Where are spermatozoa stored
Epididymis
What is the role of the vas deferens
Carries sperm from the epididymis
Where does the vas deferens travel
Travels with the testicular vessels in the spermatic cord
What are testicular arteries branches of
Abdominal aorta
Where does venous blood from the testis and epididymis enter
Pampiniform venous plexus
What does the pampiniform venous plexus form
Testicular vein
Where does the right testicular vein enter
Inferior vena cava
Where does the left testicular vein join
Left renal vein
What is the penis primarily made up of and where
Three cylinders of erectile tissue
Two ‘corpora cavernosa’ dorsally (along the ‘top’ of the penis)
One ‘corpus spongiosum’ ventrally (along the ‘bottom’ of the penis)
What encloses the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum
Within the deep fascia of the penis - Buck’s fascia
What is the end of the penis called and what is it an expansion of
End = glans penis
Expansion = Corpus spongiosum
What does the penile urethra carry
Urine and semen
What does the penile urethra lie within
Corpus spongiosum
What does the urethra open via
External urethral meatus
What is the arterial supply of the penis
Penile arteries
What are the penile arteries a branch of
Internal pudendal arteries (which are branches of the internal iliac arteries)
What is the nerve supply to the penis
S2-S4 nerves
General sensation and sympathetic innervation carried by dorsal nerve of penis (branch of pudendal nerve)
Parasympathetic nerves arise from the peri-prostatic nerve plexus
What are parasympathetic fibres in the penis responsible for
Causing erection by dilating the arteries of the corpora
What is the corpora cavernosa primarily responsible for
Increase in size and rigidity of the penis during erection
Become engorged with blood
What is the main role of the corpus spongiosum
During an erection stopping the urethra from being compressed
Define erectile dysfunction
Inability to achieve or maintain an erection during sexual activity
What are the possible reasons for erectile dysfunction
Nerve pathways and reflexes
Controlled blood flow in and out of corpora of the penis
Psychological arousal
