Male anatomy Flashcards
What are the components of the male reproductive system?
- Testis
- Epididymis
- Ductus deferens
- Accessory reproductive glands
- Penis
Outline the journey of sperm from production to expulsion
- Made in testis
- Then into epididymis
- Develop functionality
- Travel whole lenght then stored in epididymis
- Then into ductus deferens
- Pelvic urethra
- Accessory glands produce semina plasma
- Mixes with sperm, expelled together as semen
What is the function of the testes?
- Male gonad
- Production of spermatozoa
- Endocrine gland producing testosterone
- Some oestrogen production
Where is the testis located?
In an evagination of the peritoneum called the vaginal tunic
What is the testis covered by? (Going from closest to the testis, moving out)
- Tunica albuginea
- Visceral layer of vaginal tunic
- Parietal layer of vaginal tunic
- Scrotal fascia
- Tunica dartos
- Scrotal skin
What is the vaginal cavity?
- Space between the parietal and visceral layers of vaginal tunic
- Connects directly to the peritoneal cavity
What is the tunica albuginea made up of?
- Covers the testis itself
- Made up of connective tissue (collagen)
- Smooth muscle
What is the scrotum made up of?
- Parietal vaginal tunic
- Scrotal fascia
- Tunica dartos
- Scrotal skin
What cell type is the vaginal tunic made up of?
Peritoneal cells
What are the components of the testis?
- Seminiferous tubules
- Interstitial components
- Mediastinum (connective tissue) with rete testis
What are the components of the seminiferous tubules?
- Tubulus contortus
- Tubulus rectus
Where is the tunica dartos?
- Within scrotal skin
What is the function of the tunica dartos?
- Smooth muscle contraction
- Response to temperature
- Sustain contraction
Describe the role of the scrotal skin in regulation of testicular temperature
- Innervated by sympathetic nerves
- Elevated temp detected by hypothalamus
- Nerve impulse to sweat glands and increase resp rate
What cells are found in the seminiferous tubules?
- Sertoli
- Leydig
What is the function of the seminiferous tubules?
Production of sperm
What is the function of the Leydig cells?
- Steroidogenic
- Produce testosterone
Where are Leydig cells found?
- Interstitial area of seminiferous tubules
- Outside of basal membrane of seminiferous tubules
Where are the sertoli cells located?
Sit on basal membrane
What is the function of the Sertoli cells?
Support germ cels which develop from spermatogona to functional sperm cells
What does the epithelium of testicular lobules consist of?
- Basal compartment
- Adluminal compartment
Describe the transport of spermatocytes from their production site to the epididymis
- Made in tubulus contortus
- Runs into tubulus rectus
- Then into rete testis
- Then run into efferent ducts which run into the epididymis
What are the 3 components of the epididymis?
Head, body and tail
What anatomical features of the epididymis aids the transport of spermatozoa?
- Surrounded by smooth muscle
- Rhythmic contractions transport sperm
What is the function of the epididymis?
- Resorption of fluid
- Secretion of proteins
What is meant by the epididymal transit time?
Time taken for spermatozoa to travel from teh proximal head to the distal tail of the epididymis
What is the specific function of the head and body of the epididymis?
Maturatin of the sperm
What is the function of the tail of the epididymis?
Storage of sperm
What happens in the tail of the epididymis during sexual stimulation?
- Smooth muscles contract
- Spermatozoa transported to ductus deferens
How is a build up of sperm avoided?
- Production does not stop
- Long periods without ejaculation, have contractions moving spermatozoa to ductus deferens
- Then via pelvic urethra to be voided in urine
What is the function of the ductus deferens?
Connection/transport from epididymis tail to pelvic urethra
What allows the ductus deferens to carry out its function?
- Very strong smooth muscle wall
- Propulsion of spermatozoa into pelvic urethra
Describe the path taken by the ductus deferens
From testis through inguinal ring
What structures make up the spermatic cord?
- Ductus deferens
- Testicular artery and vein (pampiniform plexus)
- nerve and lymphatic supply
What surrounds the spermatic cord?
Cremaster muscle
What is the function of the cremaster muscle?
Short term elevation of the testis
What is the function of the pampiniform plexus?
- Heat exchange
- Pulse pressure elimination
- Transfer of testosterone from testicular vein to artey
Describe the anatomy of the pampiniform plexus
- Testicular artery through inguinal canal, highly convoluted
- Tiny venules wrap around it
- Lose heat from artery to cooler venules
What is the pampiniform plexus?
The venous network around the testicular artery
Describe the temperature control using the tunica dartos
- Smooth msucle in scrotal skin
- Contracts (long term) to bring testes to warmer environment
What is the blood supply to the testis?
Right and left testicular arteries
What is the origin of the testicular arteries?
Direct branches of abdominal aorta
What is the venous drainage of the testes?
Right and left testicular veins
Where do the testicular veins open into?
- Right: direct to caudal vena cava
- Left: left renal vein
What are the 5 main pelvic arteries
- External iliac
- Internal iliac
- Coccygeal
- External pudendal
- Internal pudendal
What do the external, internal iliac and coccygeal arteries supply?
Tail
What does the external pudendal artery supply?
Penis