Male reproductive system

Question 1

What are the main functions of the male reproductive system?

Answer 1

-formation of sperm
-produce hormones
-aid in production of gametes
-regulate sexual maturation and development of secondary sex characteristics
-transmission of sperm to female

Question 2

How tall are the testes?

Answer 2

4cm

Question 3

Describe the structure of the scrotum

Answer 3

-a sac of skin and superficial fascia that hangs outside of the abdominopelvic cavity at the root of the penis contains the testes

-when warm the scrotal skin is flaccid and loose to lower the testes and increase cooling

-these changes maintain a fairly constant temp and reflect the activity of 2 sets of muscles, dartos, cremaster

Question 4

Describe the function of the scrotum

Answer 4

-viable sperm cant be produced at body temp

Question 5

What is the function of the penis?

Answer 5

-deliver sperm into the female reproductive tract

Question 5

What is the structure of the penis?

Answer 5

-root- inside the body that runs into the shaft (external)
-tip is called the glans
-skin covering the penis is loose and forms a cuff over the glans called the prepuce
-urethra runs down the centre

Question 6

Describe the erectile tissue of the penis

Answer 6

-three cylinders running length wise

-each made of a sponge like network of connective tissue and smooth muscle seperated by vascular spaces

Question 7

Describe the structure of the corpus spongiosum

Answer 7

surrounded by urethra, located in the middle along the ventral side

Question 8

Describe the structure of the corpora cavernosa

Answer 8

paired structure that run side by side along the dorsal surface

Question 9

What is the ductus vas deferens?

Answer 9

-sperm storage and transport organ
-connects the epididymis to the urethra

Question 10

What parts make up the ductal system?

Answer 10

-ductus vas deferns
-urethra
-epididymis

Question 11

describe the structure of the urethra

Answer 11

comes from the bladder, meets to vas deferens at the penis base, runs through the penis, opens to the outside at the end of the penis

Question 12

Describe the route of sperm during ejaculation

Answer 12

-testes
-epididymis
-vas deferens
-ejaculatory duct and urethra
-expelled out of the penis

Question 13

describe the structure of the epididymis

Answer 13

-4cm long
-lies on the lateral side of the testes
-long coiled tube where sperm matures- can take up to 20 days

Question 14

Describe the function of the epididymis

Answer 14

-sperm can be stored for months in the epididymis and eventually phagocytized by its epithelial cells

-sperm stored near tail portion and in the vas deferens until they are ejaculated

-during ejaculation smooth muscle walls of the epididymis contract strongly and move sperm to the vas deferens

Question 15

describe the structure of the ductus vas deferens

Answer 15

-45cm long
-runs up through the spermatic cord into pelvic cavity, loop medially and descend along the posterior bladder wall
-at its termus, forms the ampulla to lead to the ejaculatory duct

Question 16

What is the function of the ductus vas deferens?

Answer 16

propel sperm using strong peristaltic waves from the epididymis during ejaculation

Question 17

How is an ejaculatory duct formed?

Answer 17

the ampulla of the vas deferens joins with the duct of the seminal vesicle to form a short duct.

Question 18

Describe the function of the urethra

Answer 18

-carries both urine and semen

-mucosa lining contains scattered urethral glands which secrete mucous into the lumen just before ejaculation

-prostatic urethra-surrounded prostate gland

membranous urethra-in the urogenital diaphragm

spongy penile urethra-runs through the penis to the external urethral orifice

Question 19

Whats the general structure of the accessory glands-seminal vesicles?

Answer 19

-behind bladder
5-7cm
-70% of semen volume
-duct of each vesicle joins the ductus deferens on the side to form the ejaculatory duct

Question 20

describe the function of seminal fluid

Answer 20

-transport medium for sperm
-nutrition for sperm
-enhances motility-relaxin hormones and enzymes
-causes semn to coaggulate so it will stick to walls of vagina
-decreases the viscocity of cervival mucus
-neutralises acidic conditions of vagina
-induces contractions in the fallopian tubes to move sperm towards the ova- reverse peristalsis

Question 21

Descirbe the structure of the prostate accessory glands

Answer 21

-base of bladder
-surrounds the proximal segment of the urethra
-prostate gland secretions enter the prostatic urethra via several ducts when prostatic smooth muscle contracts during ejaculation

Question 22

Describe the function of prostate secretion

Answer 22

-milky slightly acidic-30% semen volume
-contains citrate(nutritiion) enzymes such as fibrinolysin-liquifies sticky semen after depositied in vagina to allow sperm to swim
-Prostate specific antigen-activates sperm

Question 23

Describe the structure and function of the Cowpers gland-accessory gland

Answer 23

-known as bulbourethral gland
-below prostate
-produces thick clear mucus that runs into the urethra
-secretions of this fluid prior to ejaculation neutralises acidic urine remaining in urethra

Question 24

What is the passage of semen assisted by?

Answer 24

-ejacualtion propels sperm at speed up to 500cm/s

-accessory gland secretions-transport medium,provides nutrients, protects sperm,activates sperm,facilitates movement

-female orgasm

-chemical signals directing sperm toward oocyte