Section 4 Flashcards
What are the two components of the male sex act, and which one involves the filling of penile tissue with blood?
The two components are erection and ejaculation. Erection involves the filling of penile tissue with blood.
What is the erectile tissue of the penis composed of, and how many columns does it have?
The erectile tissue is made up of three columns of sponge-like vascular spaces known collectively as the corpora cavernosa.
Describe the physiological changes in the penis during arousal.
During arousal, the arterioles that supply the vascular spaces in the erectile tissue dilate, causing the penis to enlarge and become rigid.
What initiates the erection reflex, and where is the erection generating center located?
Thoughts about sex or stimulation of mechanoreceptors in the glans penis initiate the erection reflex. The erection generating center lies in the lower spinal cord.
What are the three main actions of the activation of the erection reflex?
The activation of the erection reflex has three main actions:
- Inhibiting the sympathetic supply to the penile arterioles, removing the tonic vasoconstrictor actions of the sympathetic system.
- Activating the parasympathetic supply to the penile arterioles to cause vasodilation via an NO-mediated mechanism.
- Activating the parasympathetic supply to the bulbourethral glands to secrete mucus for lubrication.
Define the term “Glans penis.”
The glans penis refers to the sensitive bulbous structure at the end of the human penis, also known as the head of the penis.
What is erectile dysfunction?
The inability to obtain and maintain an erection rigid enough for sex.
1If erectile dysfunction is an ongoing issue, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition that requires treatment
Describe the stages of ejaculation.
Emission: Increased sympathetic activity causes contractions in the prostate, reproductive ducts, and seminal vesicles, delivering prostatic fluid, sperm, and seminal vesicle fluid into the urethra. The sphincter at the neck of the bladder contracts to prevent urine release.
Expulsion: The filling of the urethra with semen triggers the activation of skeletal muscles at the base of the penis, increasing pressure and forcibly expelling the semen.
What are the four stages of the male sexual response cycle?
- Excitement Phase: Heightened sexual awareness and erection.
- Plateau Phase: Generalized responses such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.
- Orgasmic Phase: Includes ejaculation as well as other physical and emotional responses.
- Resolution Phase: The return of the body to its pre-arousal stage.
Put these in order:
- Bulbourethral glands secrete lubricating mucus
- Parasympathetic stimulation and sympathetic inhibition of penile arterioles.
- Semen collects in the urethra
- Semen is forcibly expelled
- Skeletal muscles at the base of the penis contract
- Smooth muscle contraction in prostrate
- Smooth muscle contraction in reproductive ducts
- Smooth muscle contraction in seminal vesicles
- Parasympathetic stimulation and sympathetic inhibition of penile arterioles.
- Bulbourethral glands secrete lubricating mucus
- Smooth muscle contraction in prostrate
- Smooth muscle contraction in reproductive ducts
- Smooth muscle contraction in seminal vesicles
- Semen collects in the urethra
- Skeletal muscles at the base of the penis contract
- Semen is forcibly expelled
What are the stages of the female sexual response cycle?
- Excitement Phase: Activation of the parasympathetic system, dilation of arterioles, clitoral erection, and increased blood supply to the vaginal walls.
- Plateau Phase: Uterus raises upward, lifting the cervix and enlarging the upper portion of the vagina. Increased breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
- Orgasm Phase: Sympathetic impulses lead to rhythmic contractions of the pelvic musculature. No female equivalent to ejaculation.
- Resolution Phase: Return to normal heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Marked by a sense of well-being, enhanced intimacy, and often fatigue. Some women may rapidly return to the plateau phase with further stimulation.
Put these in order:
- Fluid from Bartholin’s gland is released
- Nipples and clitoris become erect
- Parasympathetic activity dilates the arterioles throughout the vagina and external genitalia.
- The arterioles in the vaginal walls cause vasocongestion of the capillaries
- The uterus raises upwards and the vagina expands
- Uterus and muscles of the vagina contract
- Vasocongestion causes fluid to be forced into the vagina
- Parasympathetic activity dilates the arterioles throughout the vagina and external genitalia.
- Nipples and clitoris become erect
- The arterioles in the vaginal walls cause vasocongestion of the capillaries
- Vasocongestion causes fluid to be forced into the vagina
- Fluid from Bartholin’s gland is released
- The uterus raises upwards and the vagina expands
- Uterus and muscles of the vagina contract
