reproductive system (male) Flashcards
what are the principle structures of the male reproductive system?
-penis
-scrotum
-testes
-epididymus
-vas deferens
-ejaculatory duct
-spongy urethra
-seminal gland
-prostate gland
-bulbo-urethral gland
structures that contribute to the formation of semen
-epididymus (5%)
-seminal gland (60%)
-prostate gland (30%)
-bulbo-urethral gland (5%)
are there muscles in the penis?
no, there is erectile tissue that swells with blood to cause an erection
what is another name for the foreskin?
prepuce
what are the two tissues that are part of penis
-corpus cavernosum
-corpus spongiosum
what is the tip of the penis called?
glans penis
bulbo-urethral gland function
-produce an alkaline secretion in the lumen of the urethra
-alkaline secretion keeps the optimum pH for the sperm cells
optimum sperm cell pH
7.4-7.6
prostate gland function
-produces seminalplasmin
-and semen
seminal gland function
-opens into the ejactulatory duct with the vas deferens
testes descent
the testes descend from the abdominal cavity during development
they drop into the inguinal canals into the scrotum which is colder than the body temp
the cooler temperature helps sperm development
what are contents of the spermatic cords
-genitofemoral nerve
-deferential artery
-vas deferens
-pampiniform plexus
-testicular artery
-testicular vein
-ilionguinal nerve
what branch is the testicular artery part of?
it is a branch of the aorta
which is bigger? the deferential artery or the testicular artery?
the testicular artery
what are the two layers of the scrotum?
-tunica vaginalis
-tunica albuginea
what is the perineal raphe
thick tissue that runs along the scrotum longitudinally and the ventral side of the penis
the perineal raphe separates the two chambers of the scrotum
what is the function of the dartos muscle of the scrotum
this muscle contracts the scrotal skin in cold weather
the cremaster muscle and cremaster reflex
-the cremaster pulls the testes up in cold weather
-the cremaster reflex can test for testicular torsion and spinal injury
tunica vaginalis function
serous membrane that just covers the testes
what are the 3 arteries that supply the scrotum
-internal pudendal arteries (internal iliac)
-external pudendal arteries (femoral artery)
-inferior epigastric arteries (external iliac artery)
what are the 4 nerves/plexuses that innervate the scrotum?
-hypogastric plexus
-ilioinguinal nerves
-genitofemoral nerves
-pudendal nerves
tunica albuginea function
a tough fibrous lining that runs into the deep testes and forms the septa
the septa separate the seminiferous tubules of the testes into lobules
pathway of developing sperm cells towards the vas deferens
seminiferous tubules –> straight tubule –> rete testis –> efferent ductule –> epididymus –> vas deferens
what is the hormone produced by the leydig cells of the testes?
to produce testosterone
what is the function of testosterone
-stimulate spermatogenesis
-promote sperm maturation
-maintain accessory organs
-develop secondary sex characteristics -stimulates growth and development
-stimulates sexual behavior and sexual drive
what are the stem cells that become the sperm cells?
spermatogonia
spermatogonia to sperm cell process
spermatogonia –> primary spermatocyte –> meiosis –> secondary spermatocyte –> 4x haploid spermatids –> mature haploid sperm cell (spermatozoon)
what is spermatogenesis?
meiosis associated with formation of a sperm cell
what is spermiogenesis?
the specific maturation from spermatid to spermatozoon (sperm cell)
what is the function of the nurse cells?
-controls the rate of sperm cell formation (walk the spermatogonia through maturation to sperm cells)
-secrete androgen binding protein
ABP function
androgen binding protein
binds testosterone in seminiferous tubules to maintain its effect on spermiogenesis
the anatomy of the spermatozoon
-head = contains chromosomes
-middle = contains mitochondria
-tail = flagellum
function of the epididymis head on sperm cell function
the epididymis head helps capacitate the sperm so they’re fully active
function of the epididymus
-head = receives spermatozoa from the efferent ducts
-body
-tail = leads into the vas deferens
the epididymis monitors the composition of the fluid in the seminiferous tubules and recycles damaged spermatozoa
what does the vas deferens transition into?
the vas deferens run up through the inguinal canal and into the prostate gland
the vas deferens becomes transitions into the ejaculatory duct which runs with the seminal vesicles
the 3 sections of the urethra
-prostatic urethra
-membranous urethra
-spongy urethra
what are accessory glands on the male reproductive system
-seminal glands
-prostate glands
-bulbo-urethral gland
seminal gland characteristics and function
-produces 60% of the seminal fluid volume
what is the content of the seminal fluid?
-high concentration of fructose (sperm energy)
-prostaglandins (inflammation)
-clotting factors (sticking to the vaginal wall)
prostate gland characteristics and function
-empty into the prostatic urethra
-produces 20-30% of semen volume
-produces seminalplasmin
bulbo-urethral gland characteristics and function
-produces 5% of the semen volume
-secretes alkaline mucus to line the inside of the urethra before ejaculation
what are the three regions of the penis
-root (attached to bone)
-body (erectile tissue)
-glans (tip)
what are the two erectile tissue types in the penis
-corpora cavernosa (2x)
-corpus spongiosum
the corpus spongiosum surrounds the spongy urethra
penis erection
-activated by the parasympathetic NS
-ejaculation by the sympathetic NS
-arterial vessels dilate
-engorge vessels and channels of the penis with blood
