Male reproductive Flashcards
where is sperm made?
seminiferous tubules
outer layer of testicles
tunica vaginalis
foreskin aka
prepuce
what does the epididymis do and where is it?
stores and matures sperm; sits on top of each teste
characteristics of seminiferous tubules
tight junction: blood gets in just keeps specific parts of immune system out, compartmentalized, mature sperm in center
as sperm mature in seminiferous tubules, where do they go?
toward the center (lumen)
layer below tunica vaginalis
tunica albuginea
what cells make testosterone?
interstitial Leydig cells (androgens) btwn seminiferous tubules
2 other names for sustentacular cells and where are they?
Sertoli or nurse cells in the seminiferous tubules
purpose of nurse cells
form tight junctions (blood-Testes barrier to protect from immune system), produce INHIBIN to inhibit sperm production, nourishment, produce androgen binding protein to keep small amount of testosterone available in Testes for maintaining spermatogenesis
what promotes testosterone secretion
Luteinizing hormone; tell leydig cells to make testosterone
optimal temp. for sperm
cooler than body temperature
how many bands of erectile tissue are they and their names
3: 2 cavernosa and 1 spongiosum
purpose of prostate gland
secretes bulk of fluid into sperm before it comes out
crus
area below pubic hair
flaccid
soft; arteries constricted, veins relaxed
what makes bulk of semen
seminal vesicles
prostate pH
acidic
spermatagonium
immature sperm cells before mitosis
mitosis
division into two spermatagonia
meiosis I
the spermatagonia mature into primary spermatocytes and in meiosis I, these divide each forming two secondary spermatocytes
meiosis II
the two (per side) spermatocytes divide into two spermatids each (4 on each side), these mature into sperm cells
the head of a sperm cell contains…
nucleus and acrosome (enzymes for egg penetration)
acrosomes
enzymes for egg penetration at the head of a sperm cell
the mid piece of the sperm cell have…
many mitochondria
tail of the sperm cells
flagellum microtubules
when do testes develop and when do they decent
develop in the posterior wall of the abdomen of the fetus and decent after 8 months
what guides the decent of the testes through the inguinal canal
the gubernaculum
inguinal canal
passageway between scrotum and abdominal cavity; closes after testicular decent
spermatic cord
bv, vas deferens, nerves, cremaster muscle travel within testes
epididymis means
upon the twin
the bulb and the crura attach..
to the pelvic floor
3 accessory glands in male reproductive anatomy
prostate, seminal vesicle (paired), and bulbourethral (cowper’s gland- paired)
three main functions of seminal vesicles
accessory gland makes bulk of semen; alkaline secretions to neutralize acidic vagina, initiate beating of sperm flagella
what is a prostate gland (also position/pH)
accessory gland, slightly acidic, rounded (encircles prostatic urethra glandular tissue wrapped in smooth muscle)
what and where are the bulbourethral glands/Cowper’s glands
accessory gland at base of penis, adjacent to penile urethra empties into urethra lumen
to make sperm, inhibin, and testosterone what hormone does the hypothalamus release
Gn RH (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone)
where does Gn RH go after released from the hyothalamus
to the anterior pituitary
to make inhibin and spermatogenesis what hormone does the anterior pituitary release and to where
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to the sertoli cells in the testes
to make testosterone, what hormone does the pituitary release and to where
luteinizing hormone (LH) to the Leydig cells in the testes
what does the prostate gland secrete
secrete acid phosphatase, secrete seminalplasmin
seminalplasmin
prostate gland secretes this- antibiotic- protection against UTI
pH of bulbourethral/Cowper’s glands
alkaline fluid to neutralize urinary acids in urethra
what do bulbourethral/Cowper’s glands secrete and why
secretion of mucus for glans lubrication
prostaglandins
seminal vesicles- smooth muscle contractions
what controls seminal vesicles
sympathetic NS
what do seminal vesicles cause in vagina
fibrinogen (temporary clot in vagina)
what do seminal vesicles secrete
bulk of semen containing vitamin C, prostaglandins, fructose, etc.
