Reproductive System

Question 1

The Penis

Answer 1

• male copulatory organ

- external genitalia

Question 2

Penis consists of

Answer 2

• root and shaft (body) that ends in the glans penis
• Corpus spongiosum surrounds the urethra and expands to form the glans penis
• Corpa cavernosa are paired dorsal erectile bodies
• Prepuce (foreskin): the cuff of loose skin covering the glans (circumcision)

Question 3

Erection

Answer 3

erectile tissue fills with blood, causing the penis to enlarge and become rigid (parasympathetic)

Question 4

Scrotum

Answer 4

• sac of skin and superficial fascia
• hangs outside of the abdominopelvic cavity
• contains paired testes

Question 5

Why are testes outside of the body?

Answer 5

• 3 degrees C lower than core body temperature for efficient sperm production
• temperature is kept constant by two sets of muscles: Dartos muscle and Cremaster muscle

Question 6

Dartos muscle

Answer 6

smooth muscle that wrinkles scrotal skin

Question 7

Cremaster muscle

Answer 7

Bands of muscle that elevate testes

Question 8

Testes

Answer 8

• produce sperm and testosterone
• leydig cells (interstitial cells): produce testosterone
• sperm are delivered to the exterior through a system of ducts
• Two tunics: tunica vaginalis and tunica albuginea

Question 9

Tunica vaginalis

Answer 9

derived from peritoneum during descent

Question 10

Tunica albuginea

Answer 10

• fibrous capsule
• septa from tunica albuginea divide the testis into 250-300 lobules, each containing 1-4 seminiferous tubules (site of sperm production)

Question 11

Blood supply of testes

Answer 11

• testicular arteries
• testicular veins (pampiniform plexus: counter current heat exchange to lower temp. of testes)
• Spermatic cord encloses nerve fibers, blood vessels, and lymphatics that supply the testes

Question 12

Inguinal canal

Answer 12

passageways for spermatic cord to travel from abdominal cavity to testes outside body

Question 13

Sperm are conveyed through:

Answer 13

• seminiferous tubules
• straight tubules
• rete testis
• efferent ductules

Question 14

Duct system

Answer 14

• epididymis
• ductus (Vas) deferens
• ejaculatory system
• urethra (urine and sperm)

Question 15

Epididymis

Answer 15

• head, body, tail
• where sperm mature
• gain motility here

Question 16

Ductus (Vas) deferens

Answer 16

• in inguinal canal

- joins seminal vesicle duct to become ejaculatory duct

Question 17

Seminal vesicles

Answer 17

• produces viscous alkaline seminal fluid
• fructose, ascorbic acid, coagulating enzyme (vesiculase), and prostaglandins
• 70% of the volume of semen
• duct of seminal vesicle joins the ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct

Question 18

Prostate

Answer 18

• encircles part of the urethra inferior to the bladder
• secretes milky, slightly acidic fluid (20%)
• contains citrate, enzymes, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
• plays a role in the activation of sperm
• enters the prostatic urethra during ejaculation

Question 19

Bulbourethral glands (Cowper’s glands)

Answer 19

• pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate
• prior to ejaculation, product thick, clear mucus
• lubricates the glans penis (pre-cum)
• neutralizes traces of acidic urine in the urethra

Question 20

Semen

Answer 20

• alkalinity neutralizes the acid in the male urethra and female vagina
• antibiotic chemicals destroy certain bacteria
• clotting factors coagulate semen just after ejaculation, the fibrinolysin liquefies it
• inly 2-5ml of semen are ejaculated, containing 20-150 million sperm/ml
• contains nutrients (fructose), protects and activates sperm, and facilitates their movement (e.g. relaxin)

Question 21

Ovaries

Answer 21

• produce female gametes (ova)
• secrete female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
• held in place by several ligaments (ovarian and suspensory)
• surrounded by a fibrous tunica albuginea

Question 22

Ovarian ligament

Answer 22

anchors ovary medially to the uterus

Question 23

Suspensory ligament

Answer 23

anchors ovary laterally to the pelvic wall

Question 24

Blood supply of the ovary

Answer 24

• ovarian arteries

- ovarian branch of the uterine artery

Question 25

Poorly defined regions of ovary

Answer 25

• cortex: developing ovarian follicles

- medulla: large blood vessels and nerves

Question 26

Female duct system

Answer 26

• uterine (fallopian) tubes or oviducts
• uterus
• vagina

Question 27

Uterine tubes

Answer 27

• fimbriae
• infundibulum
• ampulla
• isthmus
• oocyte is carried along by peristalsis and ciliary action

Question 28

Fimbriae

Answer 28

• finger-like projections off end of fallopian tube

- create currents to move oocyte into uterine tube

Question 29

Ampulla

Answer 29

-usual site of fertilization

Question 30

Isthmus

Answer 30

-constricted region where tube joins uterus

Question 31

Uterus

Answer 31

• body
• fundus
• isthmus
• cervix

Question 32

Body of uterus

Answer 32

major portion of uterus

Question 33

Fundus of uterus

Answer 33

rounded superior region

Question 34

Isthmus of uterus

Answer 34

narrowed inferior region

Question 35

Cervix

Answer 35

• narrow neck, or outlet; projects into the vagina
• cervical canal communicates with the: vagina via the external os (pap smear) and uterine body via the internal os
• cervical glands secrete mucus that blocks sperm entry except during midcycle