Male Internal Reproductive Organs

Question 1

What are the male internal reproductive organs?

Answer 1

• testis
• epididymis
• ductus deferens
• seminal vesicles
• ejaculatory duct
• prostate gland

Question 2

What is the ductus deferens?

Answer 2

a thick-walled tube which carries sperm from the testis to the ejaculatory duct

Question 3

What is the route of the ductus deferens?

Answer 3

• it begins at the tail of the epididymis, travels within the spermatic cord and enters the pelvis through the deep inguinal ring
• it travels along the lateral wall of the pelvis beneath the parietal peritoneum
• it crosses over the ureter and descends posterior to the bladder, medial to the seminal vesicle

Question 4

What forms the ejaculatory duct?

Answer 4

• ductus deferens

- seminal vesicle

Question 5

What is the ampulla of ductus deferens?

Answer 5

dilated terminal portion of the ductus deferens

Question 6

What is the innervation of the ductus deferens?

Answer 6

superior and inferior hypogastric plexus

Question 7

What is a vasectomy (deferentectomy)?

Answer 7

• technique for male sterilization

- involves transection and ligation (tying) of the ductus deferens

Question 8

What is epididymitis?

Answer 8

• inflammation of the epididymis

- common complication of deferentectomy

Question 9

What are the seminal vesicles?

Answer 9

two lobulated glandular structures which lie lateral to the ampullae off the ductus deferens against the fundus of the bladder

Question 10

What do the seminal vesicles produce?

Answer 10

• an alkaline component of semen

- important for neutralizing vaginal acidity

Question 11

Do the seminal vesicles store sperm?

Answer 11

no

Question 12

What is the innervation of the seminal vesicles?

Answer 12

inferior hypogastric plexus

Question 13

What is the ejaculatory duct?

Answer 13

formed by the union of the ductus deferens with the duct of the seminal vesicle

Question 14

Where do the two ejaculatory ducts open?

Answer 14

onto the seminal colliculus within the prostatic urethra

Question 15

What is the blood supply to the ductus deferens, seminal vesicle, and ejaculatory duct?

Answer 15

• artery of the ductus deferens (from superior vesical artery)
• inferior vesical artery - most important
• middle rectal artery

Question 16

What is the prostate gland?

Answer 16

an organ which consists of smooth muscle, glandular tissue, and fibrous tissue

Question 17

What is the function of the prostate gland?

Answer 17

production of semen

Question 18

Where is the prostate gland located?

Answer 18

• it is situated below the bladder and surrounds the urethra
• it lies posterior to the pubic symphysis
• lies immediately anterior to the rectal ampulla, and be palpated through it
• has an apex (inferiorly) and a base (superiorly)

Question 19

What is the isthmus of prostate?

Answer 19

• the part which lies anterior to the urethra
• contains no glandular tissue
• can’t be palpated; generally doesn’t develop cancer

Question 20

What is the prostatic urethra?

Answer 20

the portion of the urethra which is surrounded by the prostate gland

Question 21

What is the urethral crest?

Answer 21

• a median crest located on the posterior wall of the prostatic urethra
• lies above and below the seminal colliculus

Question 22

What is the seminal colliculus?

Answer 22

• an ovoid elevation located on the urethral crest

- the two ejaculatory ducts and the prostatic utricle open onto it

Question 23

What is the prostatic utricle?

Answer 23

• a tiny blind pouch located on the seminal colliculus

- it receives the ducts of the prostate gland

Question 24

What is the blood supply of the prostate gland?

Answer 24

• inferior vesical artery - most important
• middle rectal artery
• internal pudendal artery

Question 25

What is the innervation of the prostate gland?

Answer 25

prostatic plexus from inferior hypogastric plexus

Question 26

What is benign prostatic hypertrophy?

Answer 26

• the prostate tends to enlarge under the influence of hormones, particularly after the age of 40 years
• this leads to difficulty in micturition through compression of the urethra
• saw palmetto is an herbal treatment

Question 27

What is prostate cancer?

Answer 27

• one of the most common cancers in men
• metastasizes through both blood and lymph channels
• connections between prostatic and sacral venous plexus allow metastasis to vertebral column and pelvis
• bone involvement is common
• PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen): test used for early detection

Question 28

What is the chiropractic note concerning the prostate?

Answer 28

• chronic inflammation of the prostate or prostate cancer may cause referred pain to the sacrum
• sacral misalignment or L1,L2 subluxations may be related to prostate or bladder problems