Reproductive anatomy - male Flashcards
What is the primary function of the testes?
Sperm production (spermatogenesis) + androgen production.
What is the main role of the epididymis?
Androgen production
What are the 2 coverings of the testes?
Tunica vaginalis (superficial)
Tunica Albuginea (peritoneal sac)
What divides the testes into lobules?
Tunica Albuginea
What do the lobules of the testes contain?
seminiferous tubules
Which part of the testis does the tunica vaginalis cover?
Anterior and lateral aspects
What is the epididymis?
A tube that connects the testis to the vas deferent.
What is the epididymis responsible for?
Transport and storage of sperm cells.
What are the 3 regions of the epididymis?
Head
Body
Tail
What is the head of the epididymis formed by?
Efferent tubules of the testes
What is the body of the epididymis formed by?
The heavily coiled duct of the epididymis
What does the tail fo the epididymis mark?
The origin of the vas deferens
What does the vas deferent do?
Transports sperm to the urethra for ejaculation.
What is the arterial supply to the testes and epididymis?
Paired testicular arteries
What are the paired testicular arteries direct branches of?
Abdominal aorta
How do the testicular arteries pass into the scrotum?
Through the inguinal canal (contained within the spermatic cord)
What permits venous drainage from the testes and epididymis?
Paired testicular veins
What are the paired testicular veins formed from?
The pampiniform plexus in the scrotum
Where does the left testicular vein drain into?
The left renal vein
Where does the right testicular vein drain into?
IVC
Which nodes drain the testes and epididymis?
Paired lumbar nodes and pre-aortic lymph nodes
Which vertebral level are the pre-aortic lymph nodes located at?
L1
Where do the testes and epididymis receive their innervation from?
Spermatic plexus (aka. testicular plexus)
What is the spermatic cord formed from?
Vas deferent surrounding tissues
What does the spermatic cord do?
Suspends the testes in the scrotum
AND
Contains structures that run to and from the testes
Where does the spermatic cord begin?
Deep inguinal ring lateral to the inferior epigastric artery
Where does the spermatic cord pass through?
Inguinal canal
Where does the spermatic cord end?
Posterior border of the testis in the scrotum.
The coverings of the spermatic cord are formed by what?
3 layers of fascia derived from the anterior abdominal wall
What are the names of the 3 fascial layers covering the spermatic cord?
External spermatic fascia
Cremasteric muscle and fascia
Internal spermatic fascia
What is the external spermatic fascia derived from?
Aponeurosis of the external oblique
What is the cremasteric muscle and fascia derived from?
Internal oblique (+ it’s fascial coverings)
What is the internal spermatic fascia derived from?
Transversalis fascia
What 4 groups of 3 are contained within the spermatic cord?
3 fascial layers
3 arteries
3 nerbes
3 ‘other structures’
Which arteries are found within the spermatic cord?
Artery to the vas deferens
Testicular artery
Cremasteric artery
Which nerves are found within the spermatic cord?
Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve
Sympathetic and visceral afferent fibres
Ilioinguinal nerve
Which ‘other structures’ are found within the spermatic cord?
Pampiniform plexus
Vas deferens
Testicular lymphatics
Where does the ilioinguinal nerve travel in relation to the spermatic cord?
Outside of it (it travels next to it, not in it).
The testicular lymphatics drain to which nodes?
Para-aortic nodes