male reproductive system

Question 1

testes

Answer 1

Maintained at 3 degrees C cooler than body temp
Enclosures:
Outer tunica vaginalis (peritoneum origin) –a pouch of serous membrane
Inner tunica albuginea –fibrous capsule of connective tissue

Question 2

seminiferous tubules

Answer 2

hairpin appearance; considered “sperm factory”

separated by areolar connective tissue

Question 3

epididymis

Answer 3

Comma shaped structure on posterior testis where sperm mature

Question 4

ductus (Vas) deferens

Answer 4

stores and transports sperm
epithelium –pseudostratified columnar
thick muscularis (for peristaltic contractions during ejaculation) plus outer adventitia

Question 5

seminal vesicles

Answer 5

lie on the posterior surface of the urinary bladder and secrete ~60% of the volume of semen. Contains:
fructose to nourish sperm and substances to enhance motility
prostaglandins (stimulate uterine contractions) and substances that suppress immune response against semen
enzymes that clot the semen in vagina (trapping it) and later liquefy it so sperm can swim

Question 6

prostate gland

Answer 6

encircles the prostatic urethra and consists of 20-30 compound tubuloalveolar glands, secrete 25-30% of seminal fluid. Contains:
substances that enhance sperm motility; alkalinize ejaculate
enzymes that clot and then liquefy semen (ex. PSA)

Question 7

bulbo-uethral glands

Answer 7

pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate gland that produce mucus that enters spongy urethra prior to ejaculation
neutralizes traces of acidic urine and lubricates urethra

Question 8

urethra

Answer 8

carries sperm from ejaculatory ducts to “outside”
three parts
prostatic
intermediate
spongy

Question 9

penis external anatomy

Answer 9

Shaft = body
Glans penis –distal expanded end
Prepuce –foreskin Surgically removed during circumcision
Crus of penis –anchoring appendages at proximal end of penis, attach to pubic arch (ischial rami)

Question 10

penis internal anatomy

Answer 10

Three erectile bodies
One corpus spongiosum surrounding the spongy urethra of the ventral side
Two corpora cavernosa –contain sinuses; make up most of the mass of the penis

Question 11

scrotum

Answer 11

Skin and superficial fascia surround the testes

Question 12

cremaster muscle

Answer 12

bands of skeletal muscle surrounding the testes –contract when cold, relax when warm

Question 13

dartos muscle

Answer 13

layer of smooth muscle that is responsible for wrinkling of scrotal skin when cold (reduces surface area)

Question 14

What role do the sustentocytes (or Sertoli cells [nurse cells]) and interstitial endocrine cells (Leydig cells) play in the process spermatogenesis

Answer 14

Release testosterone

Question 15

How long does it take for sperm to fully mature? And how long can mature sperm be stored before being phagocytized?

Answer 15

~75 days to fully mature

Can be stored for several months before being phagocytized

Question 16

What tissues are involved in penal erection?

Answer 16

corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum

Note that erection involves parasympathetic control but that ejaculation involves sympathetic control