Male Reproductive System Flashcards
What is the spermatic cord?
cord that passes through the scrotum that contains the vas deferens, blood and lymphatic vessels, and testicular nerves
What is the tunica vaginalis?
two-layered outer serous structure formed from the peritoneum
What is the tunica albuginea?
web-shaped divisions of the testes the contain seminiferous tubules
What do the seminiferous tubules do?
create sperm through the spermatogenic cells
What is the rete testis?
network of tubes that exit the seminiferous tubules where sperm partially mature as they move along
What is the blood-testis barrier?
tight junctions between cells that surround the seminiferous tubules and produce androgens (testosterone) which is important, so the body does not attack germ cells
What is the ampulla?
The part of the vas deferens that widens
What is the ejaculatory duct?
where the ductus deferens and the seminal vesicle duct meet, and it passes through the prostate gland and empties into the urethra
What does PSA do?
helps detect diseases like prostate cancer
What is prostatitis?
refers to a number of inflammatory disorders
What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?
non-cancerous enlargement of the gland that begins to occur around 45-50 years
What makes up 60-70% of semen?
seminal vesicle fluid
What is 10% of semen?
sperm
What is 30% of semen?
prostatic fluid
What does seminogelin do?
entangles sperm to stick it to the inner walls of the vagina and cervix
What is the corpus spongiosum?
midventral erectile body that passes through the penis and encloses the urethra
What is the corpora cavernosa?
paired dorsal erectile bodies that are separated by the median septum
Which arteries supply the penis with blood when it is flacid?
dorsal
What arteries supply the penis when they are erect?
deep
When does spermatogenesis begin?
puberty
What is the process of spermatogenesis?
mitosis of the spermatogonia which creates spermatocytes that then become spermatids and then finally sperm
What is the difference between type A and B spermatogonia?
type A are in the cell to maintain pool of dividing germ cells and type B are pushed into the lumen to become a spermatocyte
What process do spermatocytes go to become spermatids?
meiosis
What does increase in FSH and LH due to decreased levels of testosterone cause?
male menopause of mid-life crisis
What are the three phases of the male sexual response?
excitement (penis becomes erect and cowper’s gland releases fluid)
orgasm (ejaculation)
Resolution (penis becoming flacid)
