Male Reproductive System Study Guide Flashcards
gonad
primary sex organs
Male – testes, female – ovaries
Gametes
sex or reproductive cells made in the gonads
Males – sperm, females – ova/egg
Sex hormones
Males – androgens, females – estrogens and progesterone
path of sperm from seminiferous tubule to external body surface
Seminiferous tubule → Epididymis → vas/ductus deferens → ejaculatory duct → urethra
two muscles of the scrotum
- Dartos – smooth muscle, wrinkles scrotal skin, pulls scrotum close to the body
- Cremaster – skeletal muscle, bands of muscle that elevates the testes
purpose of the testes being outside the abdominopelvic cavity
Maintains a temperature of about 3 degrees celsius cooler than body temperature
two tunics of the testes
Tunica vaginalis – outer layer, derived from peritoneum
Tunica albuginea – inner layer, forms fibrous capsule
sustentocyte
Support cells where spermatogenic cells are embedded (all within epithelium surrounding lumen of seminiferous tubules)
What is made by the interstitial endocrine cells in the testes?
androgens, such as testosterone, and secrete them into the interstitial fluid
functional importance of the pampiniform venous plexuses
- Testicular veins arise from the pampiniform venous plexuses surrounding each testicular artery
- Cooler blood in the venous plexus absorbs heat from the testicular arteries and keeps the testes cool
What is carried in the spermatic cord?
autonomic nerve fibers, blood vessels, vas deferens, and lymphatic vessels that supply the testes (travels through inguinal canal)
3 parts of the penis
Roots, shaft, glans penis (including prepuce, foreskin – cuff of loose skin covering the glans)
Circumcision
surgical removal of the foreskin (60% of males in the US)
cylindrical body that makes up the glans penis
Corpus spongiosum
what fills the vascular spaces in erectile tissue during an erection
blood
function of the epididymis
Site of sperm maturation
- During ejaculation, the epididymis contracts and expels sperm into the ductus/vas deferens
How long do sperm cells typically remain in the epididymis
Nonmotile , immature sperm enter the epididymis and pass slowly though it over ~20 days. Sperm can be stored for several months
The vas deferens merges with a duct from what gland to form the ejaculatory duct?
Joins the duct of the seminal vesicle
vasectomy
Vasectomy – cutting and ligating the vas deferens.
Prevents sperm from leaving the testes
three portions of the male urethra from proximal to distal
- Prostatic: surrounded by the prostate gland
- intermediate/membranous – in the urogenital diaphragm
- Spongy – rungs through the penis, opens at external urethral orifice
What is contained in the secretions made in the seminal vesicles/glands
viscous , alkaline seminal fluid – accounts for 70% of the volume of semen
Contains fructose, citric acid, coagulating enzyme (vesiculase) and prostaglandins
What is contained in the secretions made in the prostate glands
Milky, slightly acidic fluid that contains citrate, enzymes, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
- Prostatic fluid plays a role in sperm activation and makes up ⅓ of the volume of semen
BPH
Benign growth of the prostate that constricts the urethra and makes urination difficult
- Incomplete bladder emptying can lead to frequent UTIs and kidney damage
TURP
surgical procedure to widen the prostatic urethra