male reproductive anatomy Flashcards
what is the purpose of the whole tract?
key functions are:
manufacturing - releasing between 1 and 25 billion spermatozoa produced per day
storage
transport
purpose of the testis
housed in the scrotum outside of the body
scrotum protects and supports
descended from the body cavity into the scrotum during late gestation
important temperature control
stallion/bull/ram = ventral and pendulous
boar/dog/tom = caudal and non pendulous
what is the primary role of the testis?
primary reproductive organ of the male
gametogenic
endocrine/steroidogenic
testicular capsule surrounds
what consists of the testis body (parenchyma)?
seminiferous tubules
gametogenic
germinal epithelium split into:
the basal compartment which is the outside area where spermatogonium is found
the adluminal compartment which lines the lumen and is found in Sertoli cells
what are Sertoli cells?
they support the developing spermatozoa
the cells are also used for protecting:
germinal cells (through development)
inter Sertoli cells junctional complex
what is the body of the testis?
seminiferous tubules
intertubular spaces = Leydig cells
the Leydig cells are used for endocrine/steroidogenic:
produce testosterone
rete testis:
channel out of the body of testis
what is the epididymis?
placement varies:
over - stallion, dog, tom, boar
alongside - bull, ram
highly convoluted tube:
folded lining
ciliated cells
spermatozoa undergoes final maturation
motility
storage
head:
fluid reabsorption
body:
maturation
tail storage:
storage
what is the vas daferens?
from the epididymis into the urethra
passes accessory glands
the vas deferens has a thick muscular wall consisting of 3 layers
pushes semen towards the penis
has a folded epithelial lining
what is the inguinal canal?
opening from the testis to the body
vas daferens exits testes towards the penis, exiting out the testes for spermatozoa
vasculature
lymphatics
nerves
pampiniform plexus
vascular network
heat exchange
cremaster muscle responsible for temperature control
how is temperature controlled?
the testes are around 4 - 6 degrees cooler than the body
pampiniform plexus:
testicular veins
countercurrent heat exchange
cremaster muscle/tunica dartos
CM = external and internal
TD = muscular layer of the scrotum
scrotal sweat gland
what is the accessory gland?
produces seminal plasma:
fraction of semen:
used for transportation
energy/protection
gel fraction
boar and stallion
1) ampulla (paired) - enlargement of vas daferens
2) vesicular glands (paired) - dorsocranial to the pelvic urethra
3) prostate - close to the junction between the bladder and pelvic urethra
4) bulbourethral glands (paired)
neat ischial arch
what is the penis?
copulatory organ
retracted = end held in sheath (prepuce)
3 parts:
root
body
glans
what does the body of the penis consist of?
body:
Bull / Boar / Ram: Haemodynamic fibroelastic
Limited erectile tissue
sigmoid flexure
Stallion / Dog / Tom: musculocarvenous haemodynamic
A large proportion of erectile tissue
how does the glans penis work?
protected by sheath
morphological differences between species
urethral orifice
