Male Reproductive Anatomy Flashcards
What are the 5 structures in ‘external male genitalia’?
- scrotum
- spermatic cord
- testis
- epididymis
- penis
What involuntary muscle is located in the scrotum? What is its function?
= DARTOS
Forms an incomplete septum between testes
reduces SA of scrotum, used as temperature control
What is the female equivalent of the scrotum?
labia majorum
What is the lymphatic drainage of the scrotum?
superficial inguinal nodes
Where do the testes develop?
high up on posterior abdominal wall
retro-peritoneal organs
What is the arterial supply for the testes?
Testicular artery (Abdo aorta: branch at L2)
What is the venous drainage of the testes?
Pampiniform plexus -> network of capillaries
testicular vein
RHS: directly into IVC
LHS: drains into left renal vein first and then IVC
What is the clinical significance of the venous drainage of the left testis?
VARICOCELE is more common on LHS due to dilated veins
What is the lymphatic drainage of of the testes?
para-aortic nodes
[tracks lumbar vertebrae]
What is a HYDROCELE?
collection of serous fluid within tunica vaginalis
Congenital cause: failure of processes vaginalis to close
Adult cause: Trauma, inflammation or rarely tumours
What is a VARICOCELE?
= HAEMATOCELE
collection of blood or engorged vessels in tunic vaginalis
can be distinguished from hydrocele by TRANSILLUMINATION as light cannot pass through blood
Also feels like a ‘bag of worms’ o/e
How do the testes reach the scrotum?
- testes enter spermatic cord
- traverses inguinal canal
- enters scrotum
Which coverings are acquired by the testes from the anterior abdominal wall during decent?
anterolaterally: Tunica (processus) vaginalis
this is enclosed in the TUNICA ALBUGINEA
