me: Male Reproductive System Flashcards by Unknown Unknown

What is the male gonad and its function?

Testis → Produces sperm (spermatozoa) and secretes testosterone

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What is the female gonad and its function?

Ovary → Produces ova (eggs) and secretes estrogen & progesterone.

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What are the two main functions of gonads?

Produce gametes (haploid sex cells)
-meaning (n) = 1 set meaning only one set of chromosomes
Secrete sex hormones

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What is the function of the testes?

Produce sperm (in the wall of seminiferous tubules)
and secrete testosterone

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What is the function of the epididymis?

Sperm maturation and storage; receives sperm from the testes.

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What is the function of the ductus (vas) deferens?

Transports sperm from the epididymis to the ampulla, then to the ejaculatory duct and urethra.

Transports sperm through pelvic cavity to the urethra.

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What is the function of the urethra in males?

passageway for both urine and semen to exit the body via the external urethral meatus.

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What is the function of the seminal vesicles?

Produce thick, alkaline fluid (60–70% of semen) containing fructose for energy and prostaglandins to support motility and uterine contractions (bc it draws sperm upward towards fallopian tubes)

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What is the function of the prostate gland?

Activates sperm (helps them swim)

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What is the function of the bulbourethral glands?

Secrete mucus to lubricate urethra and neutralize acids.

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What is the function of the scrotum?

Houses testes; protects and regulates temperature of testes.

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What are the components of semen and their approximate contributions?

dont need to know specifics for lab
Seminal vesicles: ~60% (fructose-rich fluid)

Prostate gland: ~30% (activates sperm)

Bulbourethral glands: ~5% (mucus to lubricate and neutralize acid)

Sperm (from testes): ~5%

Total = 100% semen composition

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What is the head of the epididymis?

Closest part to the testis; receives sperm from efferent ductules.

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What is the function of the efferent ductule?

Carries sperm from the rete testis to the epididymis.

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What is the rete testis?

A network of seminiferous tubules that collects sperm from seminiferous tubules and sends it to the efferent ductules.

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What are seminiferous tubules and their function?

Coiled tubules inside each lobule of the testis; site of sperm production.

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What is a lobule in the testis?

Section of the testis that contains one seminiferous tubule.

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What is the tunica vaginalis?

A serous membrane around the testis and epididymis; derived from the peritoneum, has parietal and visceral layers.

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Tunica albuginea

Tough outer capsule covering the testis; white in color.

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What do interstitial/Leydig cells secrete?

Testosterone.

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What does testosterone stimulate in the testes?

It stimulates spermatogonia to start dividing and differentiating.

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What are the two main phases of sperm production?

Spermatogenesis (cell division) - spermatogonium to spermatid
Spermiogenesis (maturation into sperm) - spermatid to sperm

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What is a Type A spermatogonium?

Diploid stem cell (2n=46 chromosomes); divides by mitosis into another Type A and a Type B cell.

What happens to a Type B spermatogonium?

Divides by mitosis to become a primary spermatocyte (2n=46).

What does a primary spermatocyte become after Meiosis I?

Two secondary spermatocytes (haploid=23 chromosomes=2n).

What do the 2 secondary spermatocytes become after Meiosis II?

Four spermatids (haploid).

How many spermatids come from one primary spermatocyte?

What happens during spermiogenesis?

Spermatids interact with Sertoli cells and mature into spermatozoa (sperm).

What are the effects of testosterone?

help Sertoli cells (which assist sperm development) Stimulates bone and muscle growth Maintains libido (sex drive)

Spermatozoa, where does it mature, and result of what?

- immature sperm cell that matures in the epididymis - result of spermiogenesis -located in the lumen of the seminiferous tubule, ready to be transported. -Haploid (n = 23 chromosomes)

What is another name for a Sertoli cell?

Nurse cell.

What are the main functions of Sertoli cells?

Support, protect, and nourish developing sperm; create channels for movement of spermatocytes on the walls of seminiferous tubules

What is another name for Leydig cells?

Interstitial cells.

Where are Interstitial/Leydig cells located and function?

Between seminiferous tubules to secrete testosterone

What is the lumen of a seminiferous tubule?

The central cavity where sperm are released after development.

What is the function of the acrosomal cap in a sperm cell?

Contains enzymes (like hyaluronidase) that help the sperm penetrate the egg

What does the head of the sperm contain?

The haploid nucleus (23 chromosomes) with the father's genetic material.

What is found in the nucleus of a sperm cell?

The nucleus contains centrioles that aid in cell division after fertilization.

What is the function of the neck of the sperm?

centriole that becomes the microtubule organizing center in the zygote.

What is the function of the midpiece of the sperm?

Contains mitochondria in a spiral that produce ATP for movement.

What does the flagellum (tail) of the sperm do?

Propels the sperm forward with whip-like motion

How is semen formed?

As sperm passes each gland, fluids are added—creating semen (sperm + supportive fluids).

Where is the prostatic urethra located?

It is the portion of the urethra that passes through the prostate gland.

Where is the prostatic urethra located?

It is the portion of the urethra that passes through the prostate gland.

What is another name for the penile urethra, and where is it located?

aka spongy urethra; it runs the length of the penis.

What is the membranous urethra?

The short segment of the urethra between the prostatic and penile urethra; passes through the urogenital diaphragm.

Ampulla

end of ductus deferens and leads into ejaculatory duct which opens intp the urethra

What are the three columns of erectile tissue in the penis?

Two corpora cavernosa and one corpus spongiosum.

What is the function of erectile tissue?

Fills with blood during sexual arousal, causing erection.

What is the corpora cavernosa?

A pair of erectile tissue columns along the penis shaft that engorge (swell/fill up/stiffen/enlarge) with blood during arousal.

What is the corpus spongiosum?

A single erectile tissue column surrounding the penile urethra; also engorges with blood but keeps the urethra open during erection.

What is the prepuce?

The foreskin—skin covering the glans penis (head of penis).

What is cryptorchidism?

A condition where one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum before birth. surgery done @ age 2 if doesnt drop (procedure = orchiopexy)

What is epididymitis?

Inflammation of the epididymis, often from infection traveling from the urethra.

What is a hydrocele?

Fluid accumulation in the tunica vaginalis around the testicle. -A swollen, painless scrotum, often described like a water balloon.

What is orchitis?

Inflammation of one or both testicles, often due to infections like mumps.

What is a spermatic cord varicocele?

Enlarged veins in the spermatic cord, often due to faulty valves. It can raise testicular temperature and affect sperm production → infertility.