Session 1 - Male Anatomy Flashcards
Why are the testes located external to the main body cavity?
Maintain a lower temperature than the internal body - 35 degrees.
Enable spermatogenesis
Which structures does the vas deferens travel through to reach the penis?
- Through the inguinal canal.
Common site of hernias. - Superior to the bladder.
- Then joins to form ejaculatory duct.
Which structure does the ejaculatory duct go through?
The prostate
What prevents sperm from travelling into the bladder?
There is a valve at this intersection.
Where does spermatogenesis occur?
In the seminiferous tubules of the testes.
Describe the journey and development of sperm from the testis to the penis
- Seminiferous tubules = spermatogenesis.
- Rete testis (in mediastinum testis) = sperm become more concentrated as water removed.
- Head of epididymis = Sperm mature.
- Move through epididymis to vas deferens.
What is the tunica vaginalis?
Section of peritoneum covering the (anterior?) aspect of the testis, from when the testes descended from the abdomen.
What is a clinical aspect of the tunica vaginalis?
Fluid can build up in here, as is hollow.
What is the tunica albuginea?
The capsule structure holding the seminiferous tubules together.
What is a hydrocoele?
Build up of fluid in tunica vaginalis of testis.
What are sertolli cells, where are they found?
Primarily make up the walls of the seminiferous tubules.
They are important for sperm maturation by (remove excess cytoplasm from maturing sperm to decrease volume)
Ultimately released into lumen.
What is the function of the leydig cells?
Androgen metabolism
Testosterone
How can we tell that the leydig cells are involved in androgen metabolism?
Contain lots of lipid droplets and smooth ER.
Where do the testicular arteries originate?
At the abdominal aorta.
Took their blood supply when they descended.
Where do the testicular veins drain to?
RIGHT
Drains to the inferior vena cava.
LEFT
Drains to the left renal vein
(Which then drains to IVC)
Why is the left testis believed to be more congested than the right testis?
Due to more congested venous drainage to the right renal vein, which has a higher pressure than the IVC (more feeding vessels)
Where is the lymph drainage for the testes?
Para-aortic lymph nodes
What could lymphadenopathy of the inguinal lymph nodes suggest?
Could suggest disease of the scrotum, as the scrotum drains lymph to here.
What prevents the two testes from coming into contact?
The scrotal septum separates them both.
Fibrous septum
What may happen if a testis twists on its blood supply?
Testicular torsion
Describe the process of testicular torsion.
Testicle twists.
Initially the veins occlude, increasing pressure.
This pressure ultimately occludes the arterial supply.
How is a testicular torsion treated?
Scrotum incised, testis untwisted.
Bilateral sutures of the testes to the scrotum to prevent future torsion.
What is the Bell-clapper deformity?
When the testis is hanging in the tunica vaginalis, and there is a narrower point, where torsion can occur.
How do the testes descend during development?
The testis evaginates the abdominal wall muscles as it descends.
(Finger through cling film)
