Male Reproductive Anatomy And Histology Flashcards
The layers of the scrotum are easily distinguishable on dissection. T/F?
False
What are the layers of the scrotum?
Skin Dartos fascia Dartos muscle External spermatic fascia Cremaster muscle Cremasteric fascia Internal spermatic fascia
Which smooth muscle can cause wrinkling of the scrotal skin?
Dartos muscle
Which muscle runs in The spermatic cord?
Cremaster muscle
Why are the testes extra abdominal?
In order to reduce the temperature of the testes as spermatozoa are extremely sensitive to temperature
The testes are suspended at different levels. T/F?
True
The tunica vaginalis is a closed sac of peritoneum in the testes. It has a visceral and parietal layer with peritoneal fluid in between. What is the significance of this?
Excess fluid here can cause a hydrocele
What type of epithelium lines the epididymus?
Ciliated psuedostratified columnar epithelium
What structure do the seminiferous tubules of the testes feed into?
Straight tubules
What structure do the straight tubules of the testes feed into?
Rete testis
What structure do the rete testis of the testes feed into?
Epididymis
What is the blood supply and drainage to the testes?
The testicular artery which runs into the pampniform plexus and drains via the testicular vein to the IVC on the right and the left renal vein on the left
Which lymph nodes do the testes and scrotum drain to?
Testes drain to para aortic nodes at the level of the renal vessels
Scrotum drain ps to inguinal nodes
What is the ductus deferens?
A thick walled smooth muscle tube which transports spermatozoa from the testes to the beginning of the urethra
How long is the ductus deferens?
45cm
What are the names of the outpouches of the ductus deferens?
Seminal vesicles
What is the function of the seminal vesicles?
Secrete alkaline viscous fluid which helps to neutralise acid in female tract and contains fructose for sperm ATP production and prostaglandins to aid sperm motility and viability
What is the function of the prostate?
The prostate secretes a slightly acidic fluid containing citrate which is used by sperm for ATP production and acid phosphatase and proteolytic enzymes to liquify coagulated sperm
What are the bulbourethral glands?
Pea sized glands which open into the spongy urethra and produce a mucous like secretion
What is the name of the fibrous capsule which surrounds the testes and projects into the testes to form septa which separate the testes into lobules?
Tunica albuginea
How many lobules are there in each testes?
200-300
Other than the ductus deferens, what structures run in the spermatic cord?
Testicular artery, veins, nerves, lymphatics
What is the approximate diameter of the prostate?
3cm
How long is the male urethra?
18-20cm
What are the parts of the male urethra?
Pre-prostatic
Prostatic
Membranous
Spongy
What is the approximate diameter of the bulbourethral glands?
1cm
The penis is supply by three arteries which are all branches of the internal pudendal artery. What is the name of these three arteries?
Artery to the bulb of the penis
Deep artery of the penis
Dorsal artery of the penis
Which arteries supply the scrotum?
Superficial and deep external pudendal arteries and branches of the internal pudendal arteries
Where do the testicular arteries and the vesicle artery (which supplies the ductus deferens) drain to?
Pampniform plexus
What shape are the nuclei of Sertoli cells?
Triangular or oval
What are the functions of Sertoli cells?
Form the blood-testis barrier
Support and protect spermatogenic cells
Mediate the effects of testosterone and FSH
Secrete inhibin to regulate spermatogenesis
Where in the testes do leydig cells exist?
In the interstitial between the tubules
What are the three muscle layers of the ductus deferens?
Inner longitudinal muscle
Middle circular muscle
Outer longitudinal muscle
What type of epithelium lines the ductus deferens?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereo cilia
What are the names of the two areas of erectile tissue in the penis?
Corpus cavernosa
What is the name of the structure in the penis in which the urethra is situated?
Corpus spongiosum
How does the epithelium of the male urethra change as you move from the prostatic urethra to spongy urethra?
initially urothelium then pseudostratified columnar epithelium then stratified squamous epithelium
