Male Reproductive System Flashcards
Where are the testes located?
The testes are situated outside the abdominal cavity within a pouch called the scrotum.
What is the function of the scrotum?
The scrotum helps in maintaining the low temperature of the testes (2-2.5° C lower than the normal internal body temperature) necessary for spermatogenesis.
What is the average size of an adult testis?
In adults, each testis is oval in shape, with a length of about 4 to 5 cm and a width of about 2 to 3 cm.
What covers each testis?
The testis is covered by a dense covering.
What are testicular lobules?
Each testis has about 250 compartments called testicular lobules.
What is contained within each testicular lobule?
Each lobule contains one to three highly coiled seminiferous tubules in which sperms are produced.
What types of cells line the seminiferous tubules?
Each seminiferous tubule is lined by two types of cells called male germ cells (spermatogonia) and Sertoli cells.
What is the role of male germ cells?
The male germ cells undergo meiotic divisions leading to sperm formation.
What is the function of Sertoli cells?
Sertoli cells provide nutrition to the germ cells.
What is found in the interstitial spaces outside the seminiferous tubules?
The interstitial spaces contain small blood vessels and interstitial cells or Leydig cells.
What do Leydig cells synthesize and secrete?
Leydig cells synthesize and secrete testicular hormones called androgens.
What are the male sex accessory ducts?
The male sex accessory ducts include rete testis, vasa efferentia, epididymis, and vas deferens.
How do the seminiferous tubules connect to the vasa efferentia?
The seminiferous tubules of the testis open into the vasa efferentia through rete testis.
What is the pathway of sperm from the testis to the urethra?
The vasa efferentia leave the testis and open into the epididymis, which leads to the vas deferens that ascends to the abdomen and loops over the urinary bladder, receiving a duct from the seminal vesicle and opening into the urethra as the ejaculatory duct.
What is the role of the urethra?
The urethra originates from the urinary bladder and extends through the penis to its external opening called the urethral meatus.
What are the interstitial cells?
Interstitial cells are cells located in the spaces between seminiferous tubules in the testes.
What are spermatogonia?
Spermatogonia are the germ cells in the testes that undergo mitosis to produce sperm.
What are spermatozoa?
Spermatozoa are the mature male gametes produced from spermatogenesis.
What is the role of Sertoli cells?
Sertoli cells support and nourish developing sperm cells within the seminiferous tubules.
What is the function of the penis?
The penis is the male external genitalia that facilitates insemination through erection.
What is the glans penis?
The glans penis is the enlarged end of the penis, covered by the foreskin.
What are the accessory glands in the male reproductive system?
The accessory glands include the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands.
What is seminal plasma?
Seminal plasma is the fluid that contains secretions from the accessory glands, rich in fructose, calcium, and enzymes.
What is the role of bulbourethral glands?
The bulbourethral glands secrete a fluid that helps in lubrication during ejaculation.
