Male Reproduction Flashcards
What is the position and structure of the scrotum?
It is a pouch of pigmented skin, fibrous tissue and muscle, divided into two compartments containing:
- a testis
- an epididymis and testicular end of the spermatic cord
What are the three layers of the testes?
Outside: TUNICA VAGINALIS - outer covering of membrane formed from peritoneum
Middle: TUNICA ALBUGINEA - fibrous covering forming the septa which divides the testes into lobes, to localise function
Inside: TUNICA VASCULOSA - network of capillaries
How many lobules are there in a teste?
200-300
What is the role of 5the seminiferous tubules?
This is where spermatozoa is functionally creased
Convoluted loops of germinal epithelium
What are the LEYDIG cells?
Ells which lie between the seminiferous tubules, which produce testosterone after puberty
What is the EPIDIDYMIS?
A single highly convoluted tubule forming a mass at the upper pole of the testes
What is the VAS DEFERENS?
A duct formed from the epididymis as it leaves the scrotum in the spermatic cord
What is the SPERMATIC CORD?
Suspends the testes in the scrotum and contains the vas deferens, blood and lymph vessels and nerves
What is the blood supply of the testes
Testicular arteries and veins
What is the nerve supply of the testes
10/11th thoracic nerves
Describe the structure and function of the seminal vesicles?
These are two fibromuscular pouches, 5cm long which lie posterior at the base of the bladder
They are joined to the VAS DEFERENS by a small duct which then joins the urethra
Secretes seminal fluid
What is the role of seminal fluid?
ALKALINE; neutralises acidic environment of the female reproductive tract at intercourse
Provides energy for sperm
Assists in coagulation of the semen after intercourse
What is Spermatogonia is
The formation 9f male gametes
What part of spermatogenesis occurs in fetal development?
Primordial germ cells differentiate into Spermatogonia which remain dormant until puberty
Describe spermiogenesis
The spermatogonium stem cells divide via mitosis to produce primary spermatocytes. This then divides into a pair of haploid secondary spermatocytes via Meiosis I, which then divide further into four haploid spermatids in Meiosis II. These undergo spermiogenesis to become functioning sperm cells