Male Reproductive System Flashcards
Epididymis
Sperm pass from testes to the Epididymis tubes.
Sperm takes 20 days to move thru the tubules
Sperm becomes motile and gain ability to fertilise
Vas deferens
The sperm move from the epididymis through the vas deferens (sperm duct)
Form with a duct from the seminal vesicle (secretions form semen)
Connects to urethra, which runs through the penis and opens to the outside of the penis
Seminal vesicle
Add substances to the semen
Contains fructose, mucus, enzymes, ascorbic acid
Prostate gland
Secretes into the urethra
Fluid is thin and milky
Contains enzymes
Bulbourethral (cowper’s) gland
Secrete a clear mucus that neutralises any acidic urine left in the urethra
Also carries some sperm released before ejaculation - failure of withdrawal method
Production of sperm
Cells lining the seminiferous tubules undergo mitotic cell divisions in preparation
Spermatogenesis is the production of sperm
Once mature, they are released into the tubule
Sperm and semen
Ejaculate contains about 2-5ml of semen and about 50-130 million sperms
Sperm must be produced in the scrotum as it is 2 degrees below the normal body temp
Semen is slightly alkaline - neutralise the acidic environment of the vagina
Vasectomy
Is an operation formed to prevent the release of sperm from the testes
Small incision is made in the scrotal sacs and each vas deferens is severed
Cut end are folded back and tied off
Sperm cells are reabsorbed by the body
Normal ejaculation occurs but with the absence of sperm
Prostate cancer
The gland can become enlarged which constricts the urethra and obstructs the flow of urine
An operation to remove the gland if often required
Half of the men over the age of 60 are usually affected
Testes
Male gonad
Coiled tubes called seminiferous tubules
Site sperm production
Contains cella that produce testosterone
