Male reproductive system Flashcards
what is the male reproductive system?
it is a system made up of organs whose functions are to produce a new individual. (accomplish reproduction)
What does the male reproductive system consist of?
It consists of a pair of testes and a network of excretory glands (epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts) AND the seminal vesicles, the prostate, the Cowper’s glands AND the penis
What is another name for the Cowper’s glands?
Bulbourethral glands.
What does the penis consist of?
it consists of the visible part of the shaft.
the glans penis (cone-shaped end) and the opening of the urethra.
What is the urethra and where is it located?
the channel that transports semen and urine and is located at the tip of the glans penis.
Explain what is meant by erect?
When the erectile tissue fills up with blood and the penis becomes large and rigid.
Give another name for foreskin?
prepuce
Explain what happens to the foreskin in uncircumcised males?
it extends from the corona to cover the glans penis.
What is the scrotum?
Its the thick-skinned sac that surrounds and protects the testes.
What is another function of the scrotum and what is the reason for it?
it acts as climate-control system for the testes. The reason for this is the testes need to be slightly cooler than body temperature for normal sperm development.
Where would you find the cremaster muscles?
in the walls of the scrotum.
What do the cremaster walls do?
they relax to allow the testes to hang further from the body to cool OR contract to pull the testes closer to the body for warmth or protection.
What are the testes?
they are oval bodies that average about 4-7 centimeters in length.
Which testis hangs lower?
left
What are two primary functions of the testes?
- Produce sperm (which carry the man’s genes)
2. produce testosterone (the primary male sex hormone)
What is the epididymis?
place where sperm is stored so it can mature
What is the function of the epididymis?
It collects sperm from the testis and provides the environment for sperm to mature and acquire the ability to move through the female reproductive system and fertilize ovum.
Where would you find an epididymis?
one epididymis lies against each testis.
What is the vas deferens?
It is a firm tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra . This duct travels from each epididymis to the back of the prostate and joins with one of the two seminal vesicles.
What is the urethra?
serves as a dual function in males. This channel is the part of the urinary tract that transports urine from the bladder and the part of the reproductive system through which semen is ejaculated.
What are the 3 Accessory glands?
Seminal vesicles, Prostate and Cowper’s Glands
What do the seminal vesicles do?
They produce fluid that nourishes the sperm.
What does the fluid from the seminal vesicles contain and what is it function?
it is a viscous fluid containing Fructose
It function is to provide energy to the sperm as an energy source which helps help the mobility and viability of the sperm.
What do the prostate and seminal vesicles do?
They produce fluid that nourishes the sperm, thus fluid provides most of the volume of semen.
