Male Reproductive System Flashcards
What is the function of the male reproductive system? What are the organs and structures of the male system?
Produce and deliver sperm to fertilize a female
testes
scrotum
vas deferens
seminal vesicle
bulbouretheal gland
penis
epididymus
prostate glad
urethra
How do each of these contribute to the functions of the male reproductive system: scrotum, testes, ductus deferens, epididymus, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland, urethra, and penis
Scrotum: maintains temp
Testes: produce sperm
Ductus Deferens: transport sperm, forms ejeculatory duct w/ seminal vesicle duct, empties into prostatic urethra, propels sperm during ejeculation
Epidiymus: sperm maturation and storage
Seminal Vessicles: 60% of semen, fructose to nourish sperm
ProstateGland: 30% of semen, supports sperm
Bulbourethra Gland: 5% of semen, alkaline to neutralize female tract
Urethra: route of ejeculation
Penis: has erectile bodies for erection
What maintains the lower temperature required for sperm development? Be able to explain the pampiniform plexus. Why is it important that the testes be located outside of the body wall?
Scrotum and in scrotum pampiniform plexus, dortos muscle, and cremaster muscle
Pampiniform Plexus: arteries cooled by veins coming back to core
For lower body temp, optimal temp about 91 degrees F which is 3 degrees C below body temp
Explain the roles the following hormones play in male reproduction: GnRH, FSH, LH, and testosterone. What is the role of each hormone in spermatogenesis?
GnRH: stimulates FSH and LH, a. pituitary
FSH: controls spermatogenesis, negative feedback cycle, cause testosterone to be released, a. pituitary
LH: controls Interstitial (Leydig) cells, a. pituitary
Testosterone: controls spermatogenesis, secreted by interstitial cells
What is the function of Sertoli cells? What is the blood-testis barrier? Why is it important to have the blood-testis barrier? What is the function of the Leydig cells? What is testosterone’s action on the male reproductive organs and on other organs of the body?
Sertoli Cells: nurse cells, nourish spermatogenic cells, transport spermatogenic cells, phgocytize excess cytoplasm, secretion regulate spermatogenesis
Blood-testis barrier: physical barrier, to prevent the immune system from coming in contact with the sperm and causing an immune reaction
Leydig cells: secretes testosterone, controlled by LH from a. pituitary
What are male secondary male sexual characteristics.
penis, hair
What is the function of the acrosome, midpiece and tail of a sperm cell?
Acrosome: enzymes that help burrow sperm into egg
Midpiece: energy (mitochondria) for tail
Tail: propells sperm
Be able to trace the path of sperm cells from their formation to their ejaculation
seminiferous tubules- straight tubules- rete testis- efferent ducts- epididymis- ductus deferens- ampulla of ductus deferens- ejaculatory ducts- prostatic urethra- membranous urethra- spongy urethra
Know the functions of the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral gland in reproduction
Seminal vessicle: 60% of semen, fructose to nourish sperm
Prostate: 30% of semen, supports sperm on its journey
Bulbourethral Gland: 5% of semen, alkaline to neutralize female tract
Briefly explain erection and ejaculation in the male.
Erection: sexual excitement (parasympathetic), blood flow to erectile bodies, squeeze veins shut, bp in erectile bodies
Ejaculation: sympathetic activation, peristaltic contraction of smooth muscle in ducts and glands, ejaculation, constriction of arteries, bp in erectile bodies
