Male Reproductive Anatomy Flashcards
Function of Male repro tract
manufactures and delivers sperm, also synthesizes and secretes androgens
Excurrent Duct System
ducts that bring scrotum from testes to penis (ductus deferens)
Spermatic Cord
Suspends testes in scrotum via inguinal canal, provides pathway for vascular supply (testicular artery + pampiniform plexus), lymph, and ductus deferens
-contributes to regulation for temperature and concentration of testosterone in testes
Pulse Pressure
Significantly reduced when testicular artery enters the spermatic cord so that countercurrent exchange of heat and testosterone can occur
Testicular vein
Surrounds testicular artery as pampiniform plexus
Ductus deferens
sperm transport
Cremaster Muscle
Supports testes and aids in blood flow, somatic muscle that is continuous with internal abdominal oblique muscles
-intermittent contractions causing pumping on pampiniform plexus, improving venous return + aids heat exchange + thermoregulation of testes
Scrotum
Functions as a temperature sensor & regulator, protects and supports testes
Scrotum Skin
Many sympathetic thermosensitive neurons, minimal fat and hair. The neurons signal temp changes to brain signaling sweat glands in scrotum to increase production and respiratory muscles to breathe more
Tunica Dartos
Smooth layer, capable of maintaining strained contractions, changes scrotal location relative to body
Scrotal fascia
supportive layer
Parietal vaginal tunic
prevents adhesions, maintains free floating testes
Scrotal cooling
Essential to maintain proper spermatogenesis and keep sperm viable
Chronic Hypothermia
Caused by high environmental temp, excess fat in scrotum and spermatic cord, inflammation from infections or injury, or frost damage of scrotum
-reduces spermatogenesis, damaged DNA of sperm, reduced fertilization capacity
Testes
Primary reproductive organs that produce sperm, hormones, and tubular fluid (transports sperm)
-vary in size & shape amongst species but share 4 common basic structures
Testicular Capsule
Double layered covering of testes
Visceral vaginal tunic
outer layer of testis
Tunica albuginea
Connective tissue with smooth muscle, directly under visceral tunic
Parenchyma
Functional tissue, 70% of cellular mass in testes
- 2 compartments