MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS Flashcards
describe 10 differences between the male and female pelves
- general structure: M - thick and heavy, F - thin and light
- greater pelvis: M - deep, F - shallow
- lesser pelvis: M - deep, narrow and tapering, F - wide, shallow and cylindrical
- pelvic inlet: M - heart-shaped, narrow, F - oval and rounded
- pelvic outlet: M - comparatively small, F - comparatively large
- pubic arch and sub pubic angle: M - narrow (<70) , F - wide (>80)
- obturator foramen: M - round, F - oval
- acetabulum: M - large, F - small
- greater sciatic notch: M - narrow (roughly 70), inverted V, F - almost 90
- sacral promontory: M - prominent, F - flattened
what is the ductus deferens?
= a thick-walled tube that is continuous with the tail of the epididymis. transports mature sperm from the tail of the epididymis in the scrotum to the ejaculatory duct in the pelvic cavity. Part of the spermatic cord.
what forms the ejaculatory duct?
the convergence of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles duct
describe the anatomical course of the vas deferens
- continuous with the tail of the epididymis
- travels through the inguinal canal as part of the spermatic cord
- moves down the lateral pelvic wall close to the ischial spine, posterior to the pubic spine
- turns medially to pass between the bladder and the ureter and then travels downward on the posterior surface of the bladder
- joins with the seminal vesicles duct to form the ejaculatory duct
what is the ejaculatory duct?
a duct formed by the merging of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles, approx 1cm long, opens into the urethra
what is the function of the ejaculatory duct?
mixes the sperm stored in the ampulla with fluids secreted by the seminal vesicles and transports it to the prostate
what are the seminal vesicles?
sac-like pouches that attach to the vas deferens near the base of the bladder
what is the function of the seminal vesicles?
they produce secretions which make up to 70% of the total volume of semen.
describe the structure and anatomical relations of the seminal vesicles
- each seminal vesicles is an elongated structure that lies between the fundus of the bladder and the rectum
- placed anteriorly obliquely superior to the prostate
- internally has a honeycombed, lobulated structure
what is the mucosa in the seminal vesicles lined with and what is the importance?
= mucosa lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium
- these cells are highly influenced by testosterone: high levels — grow taller
- cells responsible for the production of seminal secretions
what do secretions of the seminal gland contain?
secretions contain:
- alkaline fluid = neutralises the acidity of the male urethra and vagina in order to facilitate the survival of spermatozoa
- fructose = acts as an energy source for sperm: helps the sperm motility
- prostaglandins = have a role in suppressing the female immune response to foreign semen
- clotting factors = designed to keep semen in the female reproductive tract post-ejaculation
arterial supply and venous drainage of the seminal vesicles
arteries derived from inferior vesicles, internal pudendal, and middle rectal arteries — all stem from the internal iliac artery
- artery to ductus deferens and inferior vesical artery
- inferior vesical plexus
POINT AND SHOOT (innvervation)
erection/pointing = parasympathetic
ejaculation/shooting = sympathetic
- S: inferior hypogastric nerve
- PS: pelvic and inferior hypogastric nerves
seminal vesicles lymphatic drainage
internal iliac lymph nodes
what are the 3 layers of the vas deferens
- mucosa (folded lumen, pseudostratified columnar with serocilia (long microvilli), lamina propria)
- muscularis (inner longitudinal, middle circular, outer longitudinal fibres)
- adventitia (merges with connective tissue of spermatic cord, contains many blood vessels and nerves)
what is lamina propria?
dense irregular connective tissue with elastic fibres
what is the prostate and where is it located?
= the largest accessory gland in the male reproductive system
- located under the bladder
- walnut-sized
- stores and secretes prostatic fluid
what is prostatic fluid?
a slightly acidic solution which makes up 20-30% of the semen
anatomical relations of prostate: anterior, posterior, superior, inferior, lateral
anterior = pubis symphysis posterior = anterior surface of rectal ampulla superior = bladder inferior = urethra. pelvic floor lateral = anterior fibres of the levator ani
what are the pubis symphysis and prostate separated by?
separated by peritoneal fat in the retropubic space
what separates the rectal ampulla and the prostate?
the retrovesical septum
what proportion of the prostate is glandular, what is fibromuscular?
2/3 of prostate is glandular, 1/3 is fibromuscular
vasculature of prostate
arterial supply = inferior vesicles, internal pudendal middle rectal arteries ( same as seminal vesicles)
venous drainage = prostatic venous plexus
the fibrous capsule of the prostate is dense and neurovascular. what does it incorporate?
incorporates the prostatic plexuses of veins and nerves
innervation of the prostate
autonomic: inferior hypogastric plexus and prostatic plexuses
somatic: visceral afferent: pudendal nerve
lymphatic drainage of prostate
internal and external iliac lymph nodes
what are the bulbourethral glands?
= small glands located at the base of the penis
- their ducts empty into the urethral lumen
- during erotic stimulation their mucus-like secretions are added to the seminal fluid
- lie posters-lateral to the intermediate part of the urethra