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MIDW1002 Scientific Underpinnings of Midwifery Care > Male Reproductive System > Flashcards

Male Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the structure of the scrotum

A
  • it is formed of pigmented skin and has two compartments, one for each testis
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2
Q

Describe the function of the testes

A
  • they produce and store spermatozoa

- main source of testosterone -> it is responsible for the development of secondary sex characteristics

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3
Q

Describe the position of the testes

A
  • in the embryo the testes develop high up in the lumbar region of the abdominal cavity
  • in the last few months of fetal life they descend through the abdomen, over the pelvic brim and down the inguinal canal into the scrotum outside the body
  • the testes are contained in the scrotum
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4
Q

Describe the structure of the testes

A
  • ## each testis is an oval structure about 5cm long and 3cm in diameter
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5
Q

Describe the layers of the testes

A

Tunica vasculosa - inner layer of connective tissue containing a fine network of capillaries

Tunica albuginea - fibrous covering, ingrowths of which divide the testis into 200-300 lobules

Tunica vaginalis - outer layer made of peritoneum brought down with the descending testis

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6
Q

Describe the function of the spermatic chord (consists of vas deferens, arteries, veins, nerves and lymphatic vessels)

A
  • the deferent duct carries the sperm to the ejaculatory duct
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7
Q

Describe the position of the spermatic cord

A
  • the cord passes upwards through the inguinal canal, where the different structures diverge
  • the deferent duct then continues upwards over the symphysis pubis and arches backwards beside the bladder
  • behind the bladder, it merges with the duct from the seminal vesicle and passes through the prostate gland as the ejaculatory duct to join the urethra
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8
Q

Describe the blood supply to the spermatic cord

A
  • the testicular artery, a branch of the abdominal aorta supplies the testes, scrotum and attachments
  • the testicular veins drain in the same manner as the ovarian veins
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9
Q

Describe the lymphatic drainage of the spermatic chord

A
  • lymphatic drainage is to the lymph nodes round the aorta
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10
Q

Describe the nerve supply to the spermatic chord

A
  • the nerve supply to the spermatic cord is from the 10th and 11th thoracic nerves
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11
Q

Describe the function of the seminal vesicles

A
  • produce a viscous secretion to keep the sperm alive and motile
    • -> secrete seminal fluid which is an alkaline fluid
    • -> neutralises the acidic environment of the female reproductive tract after intercourse
    • -> provides energy for sperm
    • -> assists coagulation of semen after intercourse
  • this secretion becomes semen
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12
Q

Describe the position of the seminal vesicles

A
  • they are situated posterior to the bladder and superior to the prostate gland
  • join vas deferens by small duct to form ejaculatory duct which then joins urethra
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13
Q

Describe the structure of the seminal vesicles

A
  • the seminal vesicles are 5cm long and pyramid-shaped

- they are composed of columnar epithelium, muscle tissue and fibrous tissue

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14
Q

Describe the function of the ejaculatory ducts

A
  • they are small muscular ducts that carry spermatozoa and the seminal fluid to the urethra
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15
Q

Describe the function of the prostate gland

A
  • produces a thin lubricating fluid that enters the urethra through duct (exocrine gland)
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16
Q

Describe the position of the prostate gland

A
  • surrounds the urethra at the base of the bladder lying between the rectum and the symphysis pubis
17
Q

Describe the structure of the prostate gland

A
  • it measures 4x3x2 cm

- it is composed of columnar epithelium, a muscle layer and an outer fibrous layer

18
Q

What are the bulbotheral glands?

A
  • two very small glands lying below the prostate gland
  • produce alkaline fluid to protect sperm
  • secret mucus to lubricate penis prior to intercourse
19
Q

Describe the function of the penis

A
  • the penis carries the urethra, which is passage for both urine and semen
  • during sexual excitement it stiffens (erection) in order to be able to penetrate the vagina and deposit the semen near the woman’s cervix
20
Q

Describe the position of the penis

A
  • the root of the penis lies in the perineum from where it passes forward below the symphysis pubis
  • the lower two-thirds are outside the body in front of the scrotum
21
Q

Describe the structure of the penis

A
  • it has 3 columns of erectile tissue
  • corpora cavernosa -> two lateral columns that lie one on either side in front of the urethra
  • corpus spongiosum - posterior column that contains the urethra
  • the lower two-thirds are covered in skin, at the end the skin is folded back on itself above the glans penis to form the prepuce/foreskin
22
Q

Describe the male hormones and their functions

A
  • the hypothalamus produces gonadotrophin releasing factors
    • -> this stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to produce FSH and LH
    • -> FSH acts on the seminiferous tubules to bring about the production of sperm, whereas LH acts on the interstitial cells that produce testosterone
  • testosterone is responsible for the secondary sex characteristics
    • -> deepening of the voice, growth of the genitalia and growth of hair on the chest, pubis, axilla (armpits) and face
23
Q

Describe the function of the scrotum

A
  • it forms a pouch in which the testes are suspended outside the body
  • this keeps them at a temperature slightly lower than the rest of the body
    • -> a temperature of around 34.4 degrees enables the production f viable sperm whereas a temperature above 36.7 degrees can be damaging to sperm count
24
Q

Describe the internal structure of the testis

A

The 200-300 lobules contain:

Seminiferous tubules - where spermatogenesis (production of sperm) takes place, there are up to 3 of them in each lobule
- between the tubules are interstitial cells (leydig cells) that secrete testosterone, the tubules join to form a system of channels that lead to the epididymis

Epididymis - comma-shaped, coiled tube that lies on the superior surface and travels down the posterior aspect to the lower pole of the testis, where it leads into the deferent duct or vas deferens (duct formed from epididymis as it leaves the scrotum in the spermatic cord)

25
Q

Describe the formation of the spermatozoa

A
  • production of sperm begins at puberty and continues throughout adult life
  • spermatogenesis takes place in the seminiferous tubules under the influence of FSH and testosterone
    • -> the process of maturation takes some weeks
  • the mature sperm are stored in the epididymis and the deferent duct until ejaculation
    • -> if this does not happen, they degenerate and are reabsorbed

MIDW1002 Scientific Underpinnings of Midwifery Care (30 decks)

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