Male Reproductive System Flashcards
What is the function of the male genital tract?
Generate and transport sperm, produces sex hormones, and aids in urination
What makes up the male genital tract?
Penis Scrotum Testes Duct System Accessory Glands
What are the seminiferous tubules?
Site of germination, maturation, and transportation of the sperm cells within the male testes
What are the seminiferous tubules surrounded by?
Sertoli cells within specialized epithelium
What is the function of the Sertoli cells?
Provide protection and nourishment to germ cells
What is the function of the testes?
produces sperm and male sex steroids
What is the function of the epididymides?
Store sperm
What is the function of the vas deferens?
Conduct sperm to urethra
What is the function of the sex accessory glands?
Produce seminal fluid that nourishes sperm
What is the function of the urethra?
Conducts sperm to outside of the male body
What is the function of the penis?
Organ of copulation
What is the function of the scrotum?
Provides proper temperature for testes
What is the penis?
external genitalia that contains erectile tissue
Deposits sperm through ejaculation
Average length is 2-5 inches when flaccid and 4-7 inches when erect
What are the three erectile tissues present in the penis?
Corpus Spongiosum surrounded by two corpora cavernosa
What is the foreskin?
sheath of loose skin covering the penis
What is smegma?
oily secretion produced by the glans combined with shed skin cells
What is the scrotum?
sac of skin that contains the testes, epididymus, and lower spermatic cords
Maintains testicular temperature for spermatogenesis
When does spermatogenesis develop in males?
by the age of 16
What does spermatogenesis involve?
H-P-G axis
What is adrenarche?
Adrenal cortex becomes functional
Onset of androgen-dependent body changes like growth of axillary and pubic hair, body odor, and acne
What is Gonadarche?
H-P-G axis initiates this
Earliest gonadal changes of puberty
What is the function of testosterone?
Gives males their secondary sex characteristics
Regulates metabolism and protein anabolism
Inhibits pituitary secretion of gonadotropins
Promotes K excretion and renal Na reabsorption
Contributes to male pattern baldness and acne
What is the function of the duct system?
Delivers sperm from the testes to the exterior
What is contained within the duct system?
Epididymis Vas Deferens Spermatic Cord Ejaculatory duct Urethra
What is semen?
sperm and ejaculatory fluid from the seminal vesicles
What are the accessory glands?
Prostate gland
Cowper’s (Bulbourethral) gland
What is the function of the prostate gland?
Secretes fluid that mixes the semen that decreases acidity, increases sperm motility, and prolongs sperm life
What is the function of the Cowper’s gland?
Secretes another alkaline fluid into the urethra to neutralize acidity caused by urine transportation
What is phimosis?
Foreskin cannot be retracted from the glans penis
What are the causes of phimosis?
Poor hygiene
Infections
Sometimes carcinoma
What are complications of phimosis?
urinary obstruction
Pain
What is paraphimosis?
Foreskin is retracted and cannot be returned over the gland penis
Penis becomes constricted and edematous
What is the complication of paraphimosis?
gangrene from penile necrosis
MEDICAL EMERGENCY THAT MUST BE TAKEN CARE OF WITHIN 6 HOURS
What is Hypospadias?
Abnormal urethral opening on the ventral surface of teh penis
Below/undersurface
What is Epispadias?
Abnormal urethral opening on the dorsal surface of the penis
Above/upper surface