male reproductive system Flashcards
what are the 3 functions of the male reproductive system
production of androgens (steroid hormones)
production, storage and nourishment of male gametes
introduction of male gametes into female reproductive tract
what divides the scrotum into 2 compartments
scrotal septum
what 5 things are the male reproductive systems divided into
testes, scrotum, ducts, glands and penis
what are the testies suspended by
the spermatic chord
where does the spermatic chord pass through
the inguinal canal to/from the abdominal cavity
what are the network of veins in the testis called
the testicular venous plexus (pampiniform plexus)
what are the 2 tissue layers of the testis called
tunica vaginalis (thin serous outer layer, derived from peritoneum) tunica albuginea (tough fiberous inner layer which divides each testis into lobules)
what are the highly coiled tubes within the testis called
seminiferous tubules
where does spermatogenesis take place
in the seminiferous tubules
the walls of the seminiferous tubules are formed by what cells
sertoli cells
what do sertoli cells do
secrete nutrients for developing spermatozoa
what is mitosis
the division of a parent cell into 2 daughter cells which are genetically identical
what is meiosis
meiosis generates gametes which decreases the number of chromosomes
how many spermatids does 1 spermatocyte product
4
what are the 4 stages of spermatogenisis
mitosis, meiosis 1, meiosis 2, spermiogenesis (maturation)
what are the 3 main parts of the sperm called and what do they do
head - contains nucleus with DNA and acrosome (enzymes to break down female gamete)
middle piece - contains mitochondria for power
Tail (Flagellum) to swim
what is spermiogenesis
conversion of spermatids to spermatozoa
what are sertoli cells required for
maturation of spermatozoa
forms blood - testis barrier which keeps spermatozoa away from blood. If near blood their proteins on the surface would be detected by white blood cells and cause an immune response
what are leydig cells for
secretion of androgenic steroids (testosterone)
what do sertoli cells excrete
Inhibin
Androgen-binding protein
Mullerian-inhibiting substance
what does LH work on
leydig cells
what does FSH work on
sertoli cells (stimulates spermatogenesis)
where are leydig cells found and what do they secrete
found between seminiferous tubules and secrete testosterone
what muscles are responsible for drawing the testis closer to the body when cold
the cremaster and dartos muscles
what cools down the testis when they get too warm
the testicular venous plexus (pampiniform plexus)
where is the epididymis located
posterior surface of testis, continuous with the vas deferens
what is the function of the epididymis
maturing and storing spermatozoa, absorb unused sperm
what structure are the cells of the epididymis
pseudostratified columnar epithelium with microvilli
what is the role of the vas deferens
to transport the spermatozoa though peristalsis
where is the vas deferens located
ascends posterior to the testis along the spermatic chord, enters the abdominal cavity and through the inguinal canal
what happens during a vasectomy
a portion of the vas deferens near the epididymis is removed
what are the accessory glands of the male reproductive system
seminal vesicles (ejaculatory tube which produces fructose needed for energy and alkaline to neutralise female reproductive system 60% of semen), prostate gland (secretion assists sperm motility 25% of semen) bulbo-urethral glands (neutralises urine residue)
what are the symptoms of prostate gland problems
increased frequency, nocturia (urination at night) urgency, weak stream
what is prostetitus and how is it treated
inflamed prostate, acute treated with antibiotics and chronic treated with alpha blockers
what is sperm made up of
spermatozoa (20-100 million per ml), seminal fluid and enzymes
what is the urethra and what are the 3 parts called
the tube through which semen and urine flows. Prostatic part, membranous part and spongy part (passes through penis)
what can effect sperm quality
low sperm count, poor morphology (defects), poor motility, inability to ejaculate
what are the 3 parts of the penis
root, shaft (made up of corpora cavernosa - erectile tissue and bound by tunica albuginea), glans penis
all 3 areas permeated by blood
what is another name for the foreskin
prepuce
what happens during an erection
arteries dilate (parasympathetic impulses, nitric oxide)
corpora cavernosa and sorpus spongiosium become distended
compression of veins
what is the perineum
gooch! longer in men than women
what is emission
the release of a small amount of seminal fluid before ejaculation.
and what happens during emission and ejaculation
contractions of epididimal duct, vas deferens, prostate and seminal vesicles. during ejaculation contractions of bulbospongiosis muscle compress urethra
when do testes descend
7-8 months (stimulated by testosterone)
what is it called if testes fail to descend
cryptorchidism
which lymph nodes do the testis drain into
para-aortic lymph nodes
what does the inguinal canal make the abdomen susceptible to
hernia
