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URO > Male reproductive anatomy > Flashcards

Male reproductive anatomy Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the structure and function of the testis

A

Testis = male gonad

Anatomy

  • Located in an evagination of the peritoneum
  • Covered by the tunica albuginea and vaginal tunic

Function

  • Produces high numbers of spermatozoa (billions per day)
  • Is an endocrine gland that produces testosterone
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2
Q

Describe the layers covering the testis (inside to outside)

A
  1. Testis - INSIDE
  2. Tunica albuginea (connective tissue)
  3. Visceral vaginal tunic (peritoneum)
  4. Parietal vaginal tunic (peritoneum)
  5. Scrotal fascia
  6. Tunica dartos (smooth muscle)
  7. Scrotal skin

4-7 make up the scrotum

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3
Q

Describe the structure and function of the lobules of the testis

A

A - seminiferous tubules produce spermatozoa

Developed and matured sperm is released into the lumen once ready

B - Leydig cells produce testosterone

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4
Q

Describe the structure of the seminiferous tubules

A
  • Convoluted tubules (tubulus contortus) are involved in the production of spermatozoa
  • There are also straight tubules (tubulus rectus)
  • In the mediastinum of the testis, there are rete tubules. This is how the efferent ducts connect to the heat of the epididymis.
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5
Q

Describe the structure of the epididymus and the function of the different components

A
  • Head (caput) - transport and maturation of spermatozoa
  • Body (corpus) - transport and maturation of spermatozoa
  • Tail (cauda) - storage of mature spermatozoa. Smooth muscle contracts during sexual stimulation, transporting spermatozoa into the ductus deferens.
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6
Q

What view of the testis is shown here (A)? What structure is visible (B)?

A

A - Transverse view

B - Mediastinum

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7
Q

What view of the testis is shown here (A)? What structure is visible (B)?

A

A - Longitudinal view

B - Mediastinum

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8
Q

Epididymal transit time

A

time taken for spermatozoa to travel from the proximal head to the distal tail of the epididymis

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9
Q

Describe the mechanism to stop excess pressure from build up of sperm

A
  • Periodic contraction of the tail of the epididymis leads sperm to be voided in the urine
  • This prevents excess pressure build up from production of sperm
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10
Q

Describe the structure and function of the ductus deferens

A
  • Connects the tail of the epididymis to the pelvic urethr
  • Has a very strong smooth muscle wall for propulsion of spermatozoa
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11
Q

Describe the components of the spermatic cord

A
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12
Q

Describe the structure and function of the pampiniform plexus

A
  • Venous network draining the testis and epididymis. The network surrounds the testicular artery in the spermatic cord.
  • Each network coalesces to form the testicular (internal spermatic) veins.
  • Main function is heat exchanger. Also may allow transfer of testosterone from testicular vein to artery. Potentially a pulse pressure eliminator.
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13
Q

What are the accessory reproductive glands and what is their function

A

Glands

  • Ampulla of the deferent duct
  • Vesicula gland
  • Prostate gland (consists of corpus prostate and disseminate prostate)
  • Bulbourethral gland

Function

  • Produce seminal plasma (together with the epididymis)
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14
Q

Describe what is shown on this ultrasound image

A

Dorsal (frontal) plane view of the two lateral prostatic lobes

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15
Q

Describe what is shown on this ultrasound image

A

Dorsal (frontal) plane view of the two lateral prostatic lobes showing an abscess present in the left lobe

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16
Q

What are the muscles surrounding the urethra?

A
  • Urethral muscle surrounds the pelvic urethra
  • Bulbospongiosus muscle surrounds the bulbourethral glands and the penile urethra.

Both these are striated muscles.

They are important for the transport of semen through the urethra.

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17
Q

What nerve innervates the penis?

A

Dorsal penis nerve is a terminal branch of the pudendal nerve

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18
Q

What artery supplies the penis and accessory glands?

A

Internal pudendal artery is a terminal branch of the iliac artery

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19
Q

Describe the structure of the penis?

A
  • Root consists of paired crura attached to the ischiatic arch
  • Body = shaft
  • Glans penis (end)
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20
Q

Describe the structure and function of the ischiocavernosus muscle

A
  • Encloses the crura penis
  • Striated
  • Important for erection
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21
Q

What are the 3 columns of erectile tissue?

A
  • Corpus cavernosum (x2)
    • Basis of the crura and main part of the corpus
    • Surrounding by tunica albuginea (DCT)
  • Corpus spongiosum
    • Surrounds the urethra
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22
Q

What are the 2 types of penis?

A
  1. Fibroelastic
  2. Musculocavernous
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23
Q

Describe the structure of the fibroelastic penis

A
  • During erection there is little change in length/girth
  • Sigmoid flexure stretches and retractor penis muscle relaxes
  • e.g. ruminants, pigs
24
Q

Describe the structure of the musculocavernous penis

A
  • More muscular and less connective tissue in the corpus cavernosum compared to fibroelastic penis
  • During erection there is a significant increase in length and girth
  • e.g. stallion, dog
25
Q

What are some common pathologies of the male repro tract?

A

Prostatic diseases are common

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia
  • Bacterial prostatitis
  • Prostatic cysts
26
Q

What is a clinical sign of benign prostatic hyperplasia?

A
  • Tenesmus due to compression of the rectum
27
Q

A

A

Seminiferous tubules

28
Q

B

A

Leydig a.k.a. interstitial cells

29
Q

C

A

Spermatogenic epithelium

30
Q

D

A

Leydig (interstitial) cells

31
Q

E

A

Lamina propria with peritubular cells

32
Q

What is the rete testis?

A

Network of delicate tubules in the mediastinum of the testis.

Produces most of the testicular fluid, which is reabsorbed in the head of the epididymis.

33
Q

F

A

Seminiferous tubules

34
Q

G

A

Rete testis (lined by simple epithelium with microvilli)

35
Q

H

A

Connective tissue (mediastinum testis)

36
Q

What is the function of Leydig cells?

A

Leydig cells produce testosterone under the influence of LH.

37
Q

I

A

Ductus epididymis

38
Q

J

A

Efferent ductules

39
Q

Function of the epididymis

A
  • Accumulation, storage and maturation of spermatozoa
  • Making spermatozoa motile
  • Absorption of excess fluid accompanying the spermatozoa from the testis
40
Q

What structure is shown here?

A

The ductus epididymis

41
Q

K

A

Connective tissue

42
Q

L

A

Smooth muscle

43
Q

M

A

Spermatozoa

44
Q

N

A

Stereocilia

45
Q

O

A

Principal cells

46
Q

P

A

Basal cells

47
Q

What is another name for the ductus deferens?

A

Vas deferens

48
Q

Q

A

Smooth muscle

49
Q

R

A

Pseudostratified epithelium

50
Q

What structure is shown here?

A

Prostate gland

51
Q

S

A

Stroma (fibrous tissue and smooth muscle)

52
Q

T

53
Q

What structure is shown here?

54
Q

U

55
Q

V

A

Secretory cells

56
Q

1

57
Q

2

A

Epididymis

URO (8 decks)

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