Male Repro: Spermatic Cord Flashcards
Spermatic Cord
All structures passing to and from the testes:
- testicular artery, autonomic nerves, pampiniform plexus of veins, lymphatic vessels, ductus deferens, cremaster muscle
Series of blood vessels, nerves, and vas deferens passing through inguinal canal that connects testes to body
Inguinal Canal
2 in long tunnel passing through the 3 muscles of the anterior abdominal wall, weakens wall
- originates at deep inguinal ring and ends at superficial ring
Layers of Scrotum
- Skin
- Dartos Fascia
- External Spermatic Fascia
- Cremasteric muscle and fascia
- Internal Spermatic fascia
Thermoregulation of Testes
Countercurrent Heat Exchange
- thermal regulation is accomplished by the cremasteric muscle, dartos muscle, testicular vein, and testicular artery.
Testicular artery: brings blood into scrotum to serve testicle (brings warm)
Testicular Veins: wrap around artery and brings head away from artery before going to scrotum
Varicocele
defective venous return flow (pooling of blood)
- suboptimal function of pampiniform plexus
- increase temperature of testis
- may cause fertility problems
Superficial Inguinal Ring
Where fibers split apart and where spermatic cord first gains entry into the inguinal canal
Inguinal Ligament
Inferior free border of external abdominal oblique
Deep inguinal ring
Mostly formed by the transverse abdominus and inferior abdominal oblique
Inguinal Hernias
Indirect: Traveling through inguinal canal
Direct: Projects through abdominal wall
Ductus Deferens
Travels posterior to bladder and joins the seminal vesicle to get into urethra
contains the ampulla
Ampulla
Temporary holding area for sperm until ejaculated
Bulbourethral Glands
Pea-sized glands below prostate
-accessory sex gland, alkaline mucous for lubrication
Prostate gland
Golf ball sized “sponge” found at base of bladder
-Accessory sex gland, milky pH 6.5 fluid, helps motility
Seminal Vesicle
Accessory sex gland, paired glands posterior to bladder near ampulla
-yellowish alkaline, viscous fluid, helps motility, released along with sperm into urethra
Ejaculatory Ducts
Tube that passes through prostate and picks up secretions
- formed from duct of seminal vesicle and ampulla of vas deferens
- adds fluid to prostatic urethra before ejaculation
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
The growth of additional cells, when prostate enlarges its more difficult for urine to leave the bladder
- change in flow
- most men have it as they age
- cancer usually starts behind urethra and takes longer to detect
Transurethral Prostatic Resection
Core out prostatic urethral region and enlarge it so urinary obstruction isn’t as pronounced
Urethra
8 in long passageway for urine and sperm
1. Prostatic urethra (1 in long, first part)
2. Membranous Urethra (2nd part) (pelvic floor) passes through UG diaphragm
3. Penile urethra (3rd part) spongy, through corpus spongiosum
Semen
pH: 7.2-7.7
-mixture or sperm and seminal fluid
-coagulates within 5 min, reliquifies in 15 min due to enzymes produced by prostate gland
Corpus Spongiosum
Most anterior part of penis
- bulb of penis: base
- Glans Penis: Distalmost, most sensitive
Corpora Cavernosa
posterior part of penis, 2 structure fuse at midline and attach at ischiopubic rami
Bulbospongiosus muscle
Encloses the bulb of penis/ base of corpus spongiosum
Ischiocavernosus Muscle
Encloses the crura of penis or ends of corpora cavernosa
Buck’s Fascia
Thick white band deep to dartos fascia
