male repro system Flashcards
what are the functions of the male repro system?
produce sex hormones
develops spermatozoa
delivers spermatozoa to the female repro sys.
what are the main parts of the male repro system?
scrotum
testes
prostate
prepuce
penis
urethra
vas deferens
what separates the testes into 2 halves?
septum
why are the testicles outside of the body?
thermoregulation - to promote/facilitate spermatogenesis
what is the function of the cremaster muscle?
the contract and extend pulling the testicles closer to the body for warmth or further away during warmer climates
what do the testicles descend through?
inguinal ring
what does crytorchid mean?
one or both testicles are retained
what is the term for only one testicle developing
monorchid
what are the functions of the testicles?
produce sperm
secretes testosterone
is the tail or head of the epididymis closer to the vas deferens?
tail
what are the cells of the testicles?
sertoli cells
leydig cells
spermatogonia cells
spermatids
primary spermatocytes
what do sertoli cells do?
- secrete nutrients essential for sperm survival
- creates oestrogen
- creates inhibin
where in the testicle are sertoli cells found?
near the basement membrane - swirly curvy looking
what do leydig cells do?
testosterone production
what are leydig cells also known as?
interstitial cells
where are leydig cells found?
in the interstitial space between itself and other seminiferous tubules
what is step 1 of spermatogenesis called and what happens?
step 1. SPERMATOCYTOGENESIS
- primary spermatogonium type A cells divide via mitosis into 1 x type B cell & 1 x primary spermatocyte
- Primary spermatocyte creates via meiosis 2 x secondary spermatocytes
- via meiosis, the secondary spermatocytes create 4 spermatids (2 each)
what is step 2 of spermatogenesis and what happens?
Step 2. PHASES:
1. Golgi - golgi bodies of spermatids form the acrosome of the mature sperm head
2. Acrosomal - the acrosome condenses around the nucleus
3. Tail - Centrioles elongate to form the tail
4. Maturation - Excess cytoplasm is lost
What happens after step 2 of spermatogenesis?
The mature sperm cells undergo SPERMIATION
what is spermiation?
the mature sperm cells are released into the lumen from the seminiferous tubule wall to gain motility and fertilisation capability
where are mature sperm cells stored after spermiation?
in the epididymis
what needs to occur for spermatogenesis to happen successfully?
thermoregulation
how does thermoregulation work in the testicle?
the pampiniform plexus and cremaster muscle:
- the testicular vein carries cooled down blood back to the body which is heated again by the testicular artery
likewise, the test. artery carries heated blood to the testicle which is cooled down via the test. vein
where is the pampiniform plexus found?
in the spermatic cord
what is the pampiniform plexus?
a network of veins that surround the test. artery in the testes
what layers of the testicle is the cremaster muscle found?
between the internal and external spermatic fascia
what happens during ejaculation?
- sperm travels from the epididymis where it is stored through the DEFERENT DUCT and SEMINAL VESICLES
- it mixes with SEMINAL FLUID in the EJACULATORY DUCTS within the PROSTATE
- they exit through the URETHRA
what are the 8 layers of the testicle (superficial to deep)?
- skin (scrotum)
- tunica dartos
- external spermatic fascia
- cremaster muscle
- internal spermatic fascia
- Parietal vaginal tunic (vaginal cavity)
- Visceral vaginal tunic
- Tunic abuginea (Testis)
what do spermatids look like under microscope when in the acrosomal phase?
teardrops
why is urine flow temporarily blocked when ejaculation occurs?
urine’s pH neutralises spermatozoa making them infertile and useless for reproduction
what is the entry point of the urethra in the pelvic portion?
deferent duct
what does the prostate produce and what does it do?
alkaline fluid
- counteracts acidity of the female repro tract
- gives energy to sperm
what are the 3 segments of the penis?
root
body
glans (tip)
what are the 2 erectile tissues called that make the penis?
corpus cavernosum
corpus spongiosum
what are the functions of the penis’ erectile tissues?
- expands proximally when engorged with blood (erection) ~ known as the bulb of the penis
- protects the urethra
- extends towards the tip ~ known as glans penis
what are the functions of a penis?
- transport sperm to the female repro system
- transport urine from the bladder to outside of body
what is the role of the prepuce?
to protect the penis
