Male reproductive system Flashcards
Describe the internal and external genitalia of the male
Venous drainage of prostate
The prostatic venous plexus drains into the internal iliac vein which connects with the vertebral venous plexus, this is thought to be the route of bone metastasis of prostate cancer.
(ignore the lymphatic drainage on this diagram tara ghala6)
venous drainage of testes
The testicular veins arise from the Pampiniform plexus and drain into the :
IVC on the right
left renal vein on the left.
ughh why r veins so meaaaaaaan and make it complex! -.-
lymphatic drainage
- scrotum
- testis
scrotal skin >> superficial inguinal lymph nodes
Testis >> via the spermatic cord to the para-aortic
(or lumber) glands at the transpyloric plane, LI (hence, upper abdomen must be palpated). Further spread may be to mediastinal and cervical nodes.
Fascial coverings (muscles too) of spermatic cord
From supeficial to deep
external oblique / internal oblique / transversus abdominis / transversalis fascia
where does the artery supplying blood to the testes arise?
what artery is above it? below it?
abdominal aorta
- above it is the renal A.
- below it is the superior mesenteric A.
anatomy of scrotum
The scrotum is a cutaneous sac consisting of 2 layers:
- heavily pigmented skin and the closely related dartos fascia,
- a fat-free fascial layer including smooth muscle fibers (dartos muscle) responsible for the rugose (wrinkled) appearance of the scrotum
contents of the scrotum and its muscular layers
anatomy of testes
The testes are (plum-shaped) located within the scrotum, w/ the epididymis situated on the posterolateral aspect of each testicle.
left testicle lies lower than the right.
located on the posterior abdominal wall
anatomy of the epididymis
The epididymis consists of a single heavily coiled duct. that hugs the testes posterirly
It can be divided into 3 parts;
Head – The most proximal part of the epididymis. It is formed by the efferent tubules of the testes, which transport sperm from the testes to the epididymis.
Body – Formed by the heavily coiled duct of the epididymis.
Tail – The most distal part of the epididymis. It marks the origin of the vas deferens, which transports sperm to the urethra for ejaculation.
contents of the spermatic cord
3 fascial layers
3 arteries
3 veins
3 nerves
The vas deferens
testes in more detail (microstructure)
The testes (testicles) are the male gonads—paired ovoid reproductive glands that produce sperms (spermatozoa) and male hormones, primarily testosterone.
The testes have an ellipsoid shape.
They consist of a series of lobules, each containing seminiferous tubules (speghetti sperm factory) supported by interstitial tissue.
how does the testes reduce heat loss?
Because the dartos muscle (in the scrotum) attaches to the skin, its contraction causes the scrotum to wrinkle when cold, thickening the integumentary layer while reducing scrotal surface area and assisting the cremaster muscles in holding the testes closer to the body, all of which reduces heat loss. .
where is spermatazoa made, describe it’s course
- Spermatozoa are produced in the seminiferous tubules.
- The developing sperm travels through the straight tubule,
- collects in the rete testes. (chna hilum of lung)
- sperm is transported in efferent tubules (sperm is more concentrsted, water drawn out)
- then to the epididymis for storage. (sperms mature & learn how to swim)
where does spermatogeneis takes place?
coverings of testes
2 coverings:
The tunica vaginalis(parietal, cavity, visceral) externally, covering the testes, except where the testis attaches to the epididymis and spermatic cord.
It is derived from abdominal peritoneum during development.
The tunica albuginea is a fibrous capsule that encloses the testes. It penetrates into the parenchyma of each testicle, dividing it into lobules.
structure of testes and epididymus
what is the tunica vaginalis
Outpost of peritoneal cavity, as testes descend down in the scrotum it pulls some peritoneam with it, and envelopes the testes.
It can fill w/ fluid in its cavity > allowing free movement of the testes in the scrotum
dcrotum and coverings of the testes from superficial to deep into tests
Hydrocoele
a collection of serous fluid within the tunica vaginalis.
It is most commonly due to a failure of the processus vaginalis to close.
what r the 2 main cells found in the testes? location and their functions
Sertoli> in seminiferous tubule>>nurtures baby sperms, also produce testicular fluid
Leydeg> sit outside tubules>> makes testosterone
which cells secrete the hormone testosterone? describe them
Leydig cells
Sit outside tubules & theyre full of lipid droplet and SER, so makes sense they make hormones
which secrete the male hormone testosterone.
Can testicles get twisted? if so how do u fix it?
YES! TESTICULAR TORSION
Can loose their testes and become infertile! If not diagnosed early!
It twisted on its blood supply & occludes the veins, the pressure increases
simply cutt scrotum open, take you the testes, unwind it back, then to prevent it from happening again, u suture the wall of the testes to the scrotum
what is the bell-clapper deformity?
Failure of normal posterior anchoring of the gubernaculum, epididymis and testis is called a bell clapper deformitybecause it leaves the testis free to swing and rotate within the tunica vaginalis of the scrotum much like the gong (clapper) inside of a bell.
can testicles swap sides?
no , cuz we have a fibrous scrotal septum!
whats the gubernaculum
Function during development.
As the scrotum and labia majora form in males and females respectively, the gubernaculum aids in the descent of the gonads
The testes evaginate the abdominal wall as they are pulled through by the gubernaculum, taking the spermatic fascia that surrounds the testis and its vessels with it
what is the spermatic cord
The spermatic cord refers to a collection of vessels, nerves and ducts that run to and from the testes.
They are surrounded by fascia, forming a cord-like structure.
beginning in the inferior abdomen and ending in the scrotum.
specific location of spermatic cord
begins in the inferior abdomen and ending in the scrotum.
The cord passes through the inguinal canal, entering the scrotum via the superficial inguinal ring.
It continues into the scrotum, ending at the posterior border of the testes. Here, its contents disperse to supply the various structures of the testes and scrotum.
Testicukar torsion
what is the cremateric muscle? why is it significant?
is formed by the lowermost fascicles of the internal oblique muscle.
The cremaster muscle reflexively draws the testis superiorly in the scrotum, >> response to cold.
In a warm environment, such as a hot bath, the cremaster relaxes and the testis descends deeply in the scrotum.
Both responses occur in an attempt to regulate the temperature of the testis for spermatogenesis
clinical relevance of the cremasteric muscle
the cremasteric reflex
lightly stroking the superior and medial (inner) part of the thigh.
normal response is an immediate contraction of the cremaster muscle that pulls up the testis ipsilaterally
Testing for:
afferent sensory limb: ilioinguinal nerve or genitofemoral nerve
efferent motor limb: genital branch of genitofemoral branch
difference btw dartos muscle and cremesteric muscle
both have a role in maintaining testicuar pressure:
Dartos “skinned”>> layer of smooth muscel in the superficial fascia, wrinkles scrotal skin.
Cremesteric “suspender”>> bands of skeletal muscle that arise from inter oblique uscles of trunk, elevate the testes
course of Vas deferens (ductus deferens)
(some of the vas lies in the scrotal sac)
explain the vas in relation to the ureter
“water under the bridge”>> ureter under the vas
6ab3an the vas is the boss, so itscgoes on top, it meets its twin fog il bladder and they come close medially winding over the ureter and posterior to the bladder wall.
how does the vas deferens end?
its end part expands to form the “ampulla” of the vas deferns and joins w/ the duct of the seminal gland (vesicle)>>>forms the ejaculatory duct>> enters the prostate>>empties in urethra
what is vasectomy, how do u do it?
A vasectomy is considered a permanent method of birth control. it’ll prevents the release of sperm when a man ejaculates.
sperms r still produced but cannot reach the exterior of the body! and r phagocytosed
Procedure: cutt hole in scrotal skin, pull out spermatic cord and feel the vas (firm, rope like) cutt the ends.
what comes after the vas?
desceibe them
the seminal glands ( vesicles)
- posterior to bladder,
- folds on itself (length of little finger)
- thick layer of smooth muscle (needed for contraction during ejaculation)
- stored w/ in the muscosa’s honeycomb of crypts is yellowish viscous alkaline fluid >> fructose sugar, cirtic acid, coagulating enzyme (coagulase) & prostaglandins.
seminal glands join the vas on the SAME side to form the ejaculatory duct
anatomy of urethra
- is the terminal portion of the male duct system!
- it conveys both urine and semen, so its serves both urinary and reproductive
- it has 2 bends, and 3 parts to it (depending on its location)
parts of urethra
contains 3 parts:
Prostatic: part surrounded by prostate
intermediate: in urogenital diaphragm
spongy: runs through penis
how can the urethra be aproblem for when performing catheterization
zonal distribution of prostate
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), how do they present? which zone is affected?
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
increase in size of the prostate
It is much more common with advancing age.
The enlarging prostate compresses on both the bladder and the urethra
presenting with urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and difficulty in initiating micturition.
BPH is usually caused by enlargement from the transitional zone of the prostate.
During Digital Rectal Examinations (DRE) by physicians examine the prostate gland.
which part of the prostate gland can they feel?
the peripheral zone is the zone felt against the rectum on DRE.
the male has accessory glands, name them and the substances they secrete, functions and percentage volumes of secretion of glands
Seminal vesicles secrete an alkaline fluid that contains-60%
(a) fructose (used in ATP production by the sperm), prostaglandins (facilitate sperm motility and may promote smooth muscle contraction in the female tract), and
(b) clotting factors, particularly semenogelin, (are proteins which help temporarily coagulate semen after ejaculation).
* Its alkalinity helps to neutralize the acid in the male urethra and female reproductive tract.*
.
The prostate secretes a milky, slightly acidic fluid containing-25%
(a) proteolytic enzymes (such as PSA, prostate-specific antigen, pepsinogen etc), which breakdown clotting proteins from the seminal vesicles, hence re-liquefying semen about 10-20 minutes after ejaculation
(b) citric acid, used by sperm in the Krebs cycle for ATP production
(c) acid phosphotase (unknown function)
Bulbourethral glands (Cowper’s glands)
secrete an alkaline fluid to the urethra for acid neutralization (particularly neutralization of acid in the vagina), and a mucous that lubricates the end of the penis and urethral lining. These glands contribute a very small amount to the ejaculate.
anatomy of penis
- external organ
- divided into 3 parts: root, body (shaft), Glans penis (the tip)
- skin covering penis is loose , when it slides ditally, forms a cuff called prepuce or “foreskin” around glans
- contains spongy urethra & 3 long cylyndrical bodies (corpra) of erectile tissue:
corpus spongiosom
corpus cavernosa
-
anatomy of erectile tissues of the penis?
In the root, these tissues are known as the left and right crura, and the bulb of the penis. The bulb is situated in the midline of the penile root, and is traversed by the urethra. The left and right crura are located laterally, attached to the ipsilateral ischial ramus.
The erectile tissues continue into the body of the penis. The left and right crura move anteriorly into the dorsal part of the penis – they form the two corpora cavernosa. They are separated by the septum of the penis, although often incompletely. The bulb forms the corpus spongiosum, which lies ventrally. The male urethra runs through the corpus spongiosum – to prevent it becoming occluded during erection the corpus spongiosum fills to a reduced pressure.
structure of erectile tissues in the body,
what aids in erection?
what terminates it?
Vasodilatation in penile arterioles, and compression of veins results in erection.
Erection is terminated by vasoconstriction (sympathetic).
Ejaculation is a complex process primarily orchestrated by the sympathetic system
lifting the penis up,
what is the penis attatched to?
to bone!
Suspensory ligament – It connects the erectile bodies of the penis to the pubic symphysis.
Fundiform ligament (triangular)– a condensation of abdominal subcutaneous tissue. It runs down from the linea alba, surrounding the penis like a sling, and attaching to the pubic symphysis.
pathway of sperm during ejaculation
Where is the origin of the testicular arteries?
Aorta, just inferior to the renal vessels.
they look like long whiskers
Which part of the urethra is least distensible?
Membranous, due to the surrounding sphincter urethrae muscle and perineal membrane
Which fibrous capsule surrounds the corpora cavernosa?
Tunica albuginea
Types of cells in testes and their location!
Each lobule contains 1-4 tightly coiled tubes –(Seminiferous tubules (ST)
In BETWEEEN the seminerfous tubules their is interstitial tissue which contains the leydig cells!
they secrete testosterone
