Male Reproduction System Flashcards
primary sex organs
- gonads or testes
- produces gametes
- secrete testosterone
secondary sex organs
-aid in formation of semen and transport of sperm
testes location
- outside pelvic cavity
- within scrotal sac (scrotum)
testes function
-production of sperm & testosterone
testes structure
- small, oval structure surrounded by CT
- contains tubules or ducts which transport sperm
seminiferous tubules
- functional unit
- site of sperm production
seminiferous tubules: spermatogonia
-developing sperm in various stages of maturation
seminiferous tubules: sertoli cells
- line tubules
- produce nutrients required to maintain developing sperm
interstitial cells of leydig
- endocrine cells
- produce & secrete testosterone
mature sperm structure
- head, body, tail
- 23 pairs chromosomes (22 autosomes, 1 sex chromosome)
mature sperm structure: autosome
- located at tip of head
- contains enzymes which help penetrate ovum
spermatic cord contents
- vas deferens
- testicular artery
- pampiniform plexus of veins
- nerve
- lymphatics
epididymis location**
-attached to the posterior surface of the testes
epididymis structure
- coiled tube
- contains millions of sperm in their final stage of development
epididymis function
- stores sperm
- transports sperm from the testes to the ductus deferens
ductus deferens location
- aka vas deferens
- passes from scrotal sac into pelvic cavity
ductus deferens structure
-fibromuscular tube
ductus deferens function
-transports sperm from the epididymus to the ejaculatory duct
ejactulatory duct location
- begins on posterior side of prostate gland
- passes through prostate gland to join prostate urethra
seminal vesicles location
-posterior to & near base of bladder
seminal vesicles structure
- glandular organ which contains smooth muscle
- contracts to release contents
seminal vesicles function
- produces an alkaline secretion rich in frutose(used to provide energy for sperm)
- secretes prostaglandins (causes uterine contractions to help sperm move)
prostate gland location
- inferior to neck of bladder
- surrounds the first portion of the urethra
prostate gland structure
-glands embedded in Ct & smooth muscle
prostate gland function
- secretes and alkaline fluid which contains enzymes
- helps to neutralize acidic environment of vagina
bulbourethral glands location
-muscularis layer of te pelvic floor
bulbourethral glands structure
-small glands with a fuct opening into the urethra
bulbourethral glands function
-secrete a mucous-like fluid which lubricates the urethra
scrotum location
-posterior to penis
scrotum structure
- sac-like structure covered by fascia (CT) and skin
- contains muscle fibers
- cremaster muscle: contracts to elevate testes
scrotum function
- supports & protects testes
- helps to regulate the position of the testes & regulate their temp
scrotum function: cold
-cremaster muscle contracts & pulls testes up towards warm body wall
scrotum function: warm
- skin is more flaccid & loose
- cremaster muscles relax allowing testes to be further away from the body wall
penis structure: shaft
- major part
- contains highly vascularized tissue
- composed of sponge-like erectile tissue
penis structure: glands
- expanded, terminal portion
- foreskin: retractable portion of skin (removed during circumcision)
penis structure: penile urethra
-passageway for both sperm & urine
erection
- occurs when vascular spaces becomes engorged w blood & blood is not permitted to drain due to parasympathetic effect
- erectile tissue becomes rigid
ejaculation
- under sympathetic control
- affects smooth muscle of the glands & blood vessels of the reproductive system
