Male Pelvis Notes Flashcards
What is the appendix testis?
A small solid structure located posterior to the epididymal head.
What is the central zone (CZ) of the prostate?
A cone-shaped area of the prostate gland located deep in the peripheral zone.
What are the corpus cavernosa?
The two columns of erectile tissue forming the body of the penis.
What is the corpus spongiosum?
The mass of spongy tissue surrounding the urethra.
What is cryptorchidism?
Undescended testis.
What is Denonvilliers’ fascia? This is a important landmark for what?
- Separates the prostate and rectum
- Important landmark for radical prostatectomy.
What is the epididymis?
Long, tightly coiled ducts that carry sperm from the testis to the vas deferens.
What is epididymitis?
Inflammation of the epididymis; commonly caused by a urinary tract infection; most common cause of acute scrotal pain.
What is a hydrocele?
Abnormal accumulation of serous fluid between the two layers of tunica vaginalis.
What is hypospadias?
Urethra opening is located somewhere along the undersurface of the penis.
What is the mediastinum testis?
Thick portion of the tunica albuginea.
What is the peripheral zone (PZ) of the prostate?
The largest area of the prostate gland located just beneath the capsule.
What are periurethral glands?
Glandular tissue lining the proximal prostatic urethra.
What is Peyronie’s disease? What can this lead to?
Fibrous scar tissue most commonly along the dorsal portion of the penis within tunica albuginea that may progress to calcification(s).
What is polyorchidism?
Presence of more than two testes.
What is prostate specific antigen (PSA)?
A protein produced by the prostate; elevation is associated with carcinoma of the prostate gland.
What is orchitis?
Inflammation of the testis; commonly caused by chlamydia.
What is the rete testis?
Network of ducts formed in the mediastinum testis connecting the epididymis with the superior portion of the testis.
What is the space of Retzius?
Retropubic space between the symphysis pubis and urinary bladder.
What is the spermatic cord?
Supporting structure on the posterior border of the testes that courses through the inguinal canal.
What is a spermatocele?
A cyst arising from the rete testis.
What is the surgical capsule?
Hypoechoic connective tissue dividing the peripheral and central zones.
What is testicular torsion?
Twisting of the spermatic cord upon itself, obstructing the blood vessels supplying the epididymis and testis; also known as bell clapper.
What is the transitional zone (TZ) of the prostate?
Two small areas of the prostate gland adjacent to the proximal urethral space.
What is transurethral resection prostatectomy (TURP)?
A surgical procedure to relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy; demonstrates as an anechoic space in the center of the prostate.
What is a varicocele? How does this affect fertility of a male?
- Dilatation of the spermatic veins
- Most common cause of male infertility.
What is the vas deferens?
A small tube that transports the sperm from each testis to the prostatic urethra.
What is the verumontanum?
Divides the urethra into proximal and distal segments.
What is the function of the scrotum?
Allows maintenance of a lower body temperature necessary for sperm survival.
What are the functions of the epididymis? 2
- Store and transport sperm produced by the testes
- Mature the sperm.
What are the functions of the testis?
- Produce testosterone
- Germinate sperm.
What are the functions of the prostate gland?
Secretes alkaline fluid to transport sperm; produces 80% to 85% of the ejaculation fluid.
What are the functions of the penis? 2
- Transport urine out of the body
- Male sex organ.
What is the anatomy of the scrotum? How is the scrotum divided?
- A two-compartment pouch that contains and supports each testis
- Divided by a medium raphe or septum.
Where does the epididymis empty into? Where is it located in relation to the testis?
- Empties into the ductus deferens
- Located lateral and posterior to the testis.
What are the testes?
Paired male reproductive organs located in the scrotum; endocrine and exocrine glands.
What is the tunica albuginea?
Fibrous sheath enclosing each testis.
What is the tunica vaginalis?
Two layers of serous membrane covering the anterior and lateral portions of the testis and epididymis.
What is the mediastinum testis?
Thick portion of the tunica albuginea located in the posterior medial border of the testis.
What is the rete testis?
Network of ducts formed in the mediastinum testis that transports seminal fluid from the testis to the epididymis.
What is the spermatic cord?
Support structure located on the posterior border of the testes; courses between the abdominal cavity and scrotum.