Male Repro: Spermatic Cord

Question 1

Spermatic Cord

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Inguinal Canal

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Layers of Scrotum

Answer 3

1. Skin
2. Dartos Fascia
3. External Spermatic Fascia
4. Cremasteric muscle and fascia
5. Internal Spermatic fascia

Question 4

Thermoregulation of Testes

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Varicocele

Answer 5

defective venous return flow (pooling of blood)
- suboptimal function of pampiniform plexus
- increase temperature of testis
- may cause fertility problems

Question 6

Superficial Inguinal Ring

Answer 6

Where fibers split apart and where spermatic cord first gains entry into the inguinal canal

Question 7

Inguinal Ligament

Answer 7

Inferior free border of external abdominal oblique

Question 8

Deep inguinal ring

Answer 8

Mostly formed by the transverse abdominus and inferior abdominal oblique

Question 9

Inguinal Hernias

Answer 9

Indirect: Traveling through inguinal canal
Direct: Projects through abdominal wall

Question 10

Ductus Deferens

Answer 10

Travels posterior to bladder and joins the seminal vesicle to get into urethra
contains the ampulla

Question 11

Ampulla

Answer 11

Temporary holding area for sperm until ejaculated

Question 12

Bulbourethral Glands

Answer 12

Pea-sized glands below prostate
-accessory sex gland, alkaline mucous for lubrication

Question 13

Prostate gland

Answer 13

Golf ball sized “sponge” found at base of bladder
-Accessory sex gland, milky pH 6.5 fluid, helps motility

Question 14

Seminal Vesicle

Answer 14

Accessory sex gland, paired glands posterior to bladder near ampulla
-yellowish alkaline, viscous fluid, helps motility, released along with sperm into urethra

Question 15

Ejaculatory Ducts

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Transurethral Prostatic Resection

Answer 17

Core out prostatic urethral region and enlarge it so urinary obstruction isn’t as pronounced

Question 18

Urethra

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Semen

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Corpus Spongiosum

Answer 20

Most anterior part of penis
- bulb of penis: base
- Glans Penis: Distalmost, most sensitive

Question 21

Corpora Cavernosa

Answer 21

posterior part of penis, 2 structure fuse at midline and attach at ischiopubic rami

Question 22

Bulbospongiosus muscle

Answer 22

Encloses the bulb of penis/ base of corpus spongiosum

Question 23

Ischiocavernosus Muscle

Answer 23

Encloses the crura of penis or ends of corpora cavernosa

Question 24

Buck’s Fascia

Answer 24

Thick white band deep to dartos fascia

Question 25

Penis

Answer 25

Passageway for semen and urine
- body composed of 3 erectile tissue masses filled with blood sinuses
- composed of bulb, crura, body, and glans penis

Question 26

Erection

Answer 26

Parasympathetic reflex
- sexual stimulation dilates the arteries supplying the penis, and blood enters the penis compressing the veins so that the blood is trapped

Question 27

Ejaculation

Answer 27

Sympathetic reflex
- muscle contractions close the sphincter at base of bladder and moves fluids through ductus deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts

Question 28

Hypospadias

Answer 28

inferior incomplete urethral closure

Question 29

Epispadia

Answer 29

Superior aspect of urethral closure open