male reproductive system Flashcards
function
produce male gametes
deliver male gametes to the female reproductive tract
testes
production of spermatozoa
production of male sex hormone = testosterone
ducts
sperm storage, maturation, and transport
accessory glands
secrete majority of seminal fluid
secretions function in maintenance and maturation of sperm
penis
male organ of copulation
common pathway for urine and semen
semen
spermatozoa + secretions of accessory glands
testis
tunica albuginea = outer coat
tunica vaginalis = inner layer → visceral + parietal = scrotal cavity
seminiferous tubules
rete testis
efferent ductules
epididymis
ductus deferens
spermatic cord
seminiferous tubules
spermatogenic cells undergo maturation to form spermatozoa = sperm cells in lumen of tubules
passages between tubules have interstitial cells
spermatogenesis
process by which sperm is produced within seminiferous tubules
spermatogonia → primary spermatocytes → secondary spermatocytes → spermatids → spermatozoa
maturation process occurs as cells move from outside to inside of tube
Sertoli cells
walls of seminiferous tubules
reach basement membrane + lumen of tubule
blood testis barrier
tight junctions in between sertoli cells form seal around sperm cells as they move towards lumen during maturation
spermiogenesis
final stage of spermatogenesis
transformation of round spermatid into asymmetric spermatozoa:
- condensation of nucleus
- formation of acrosome
- development of flagellum
spermatozoa
male gametes
acrosomal cap above nucleus
mitochondria in midpiece produce ATP that generates the beating of the flagellum
acrosome
breaks down when sperm contacts egg
contains enzymes that bore a hole in the zona pellucida
allows sperm to reach plasma membrane of egg
egg + sperm plasma membranes fuse at fertilization
immune system
established shortly after birth
→ testes only contain spermatogonia and sertoli cells
spermatocytes, spermatids, and sperm do not develop until puberty = would be foreign to immune system
blood-testis barrier is necessary
leydig cells
synthesize + secrete testosterone
large vascular network in interstital space and surrounding cells
testosterone
regulates spermatogenesis
stimulates development and maintenance of male secondary sex characteristics
FSH
stimulates sertoli cells to support spermatogenesis
LH
stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone
epididymis
tubal network
storage of sperm = undergoes maturation process to become motile
= static is necessary to expose sperm to environment
ductus deferens
long muscular tube - thick smooth muscle wall
lined by pseudostratified epithelium
small lumen
conducts sperm from epididymis to seminal vesicles
seminal vesicles
smooth muscle
mucosa = make fluid
secrete ~60% of seminal fluid
secretions contain coagulating factors = form bolus of semen
high fructose content = energy source for sperm
enables sperm motility
prostate gland
smooth muscle + vacuoles
secretes ~30% of seminal fluid
contains hydrolytic enzymes = liquefy ejaculated semen
releases spermatozoa
erectile tissue
corpus spongiosum (2 = dorsal)
corups cavernosum = ventral
blood supply of penis
central (deep) arteries supply blood to corpora cavernosa → drained by veins in surrounding connective tissue sheath
urethra
stratified squamous epithelium
distensible
glands of littre = secrete into lumen to maintain luminal surface = helps protect + buffer
bulbourethral gland
protection of sperm from acidity of urine
sends fluid prior to ejaculation to clean
