Session 4 Flashcards
What does the Scrotum develop from?
The labiosacral folds
What is the Scrotum?
A cutaneous sac that is an outpocketing of the anterior abdominal wall
What does the Scrotum contain?
Testis
Epididymis
Spermatic cord
Why is the Scrotum outside of the body?
Because the optimal temperature for Spermatogenesis is 2 degrees below human body temperature (Due to the enzymes involved)
What surrounds the testis?
Tunica vaginalis
Enclosed by the tunica albuginea (Thick fibrous outer covering)
What is the arterial supply of the testis?
Branches of the Abdominal aorta
What is the venous drainage of the testis?
Right testicular vein -> IVC
Left testicular vein -> Left renal vein
What are the sections of the Epididymis?
Head
Body
Tail
How is the Epididymis connected to the seminiferous tubules?
Via efferent ductules and rete testis
*Will become part of the spermatic cord)
What is the Spermatic cord?
Connects structures running to and from the testis
Where does the Spermatic cord run from/to?
From deep inguinal ring (Lateral to inferior epigastric vessels)
To posterior border of the testis (Via inguinal canal and superficial inguinal ring)
What does the Spermatic cord contain?
Neurovascular structures (Testicular artery, Cremasteric artery, artery to vas deferens, Pampiniform plexus, genital branch of genitofemoral nerve) Vas deferens Lymphatics Processus vaginalis (Projection of peritoneium)
What is the Pampiniform plexus?
A configuration of the testicular vein
It aids temperature regulation
Absorbs heat from the arterial blood so enzymes for Spermatogenesis are not effected
What are the coverings of the Spermatic cord?
External spermatic fascia (Aponeurosis of external oblique)
Cresmasteric muscle & fascia (Internal oblique & transversalis)
Internal spermatic fascia (Transversalis fascia)
Coverings come from the embryological dragging when testis descend
What is a Hydrocoele?
Serous fluid in the tunica vaginalis (layers are opened)
Can be of testis or cord
What is a Haematocoele?
Blood in the tunica vaginalis
What is a Varicocoele?
Varicosities (Enlargement/swelling) of the Pampiniform plexus
Which side is unlikely to have a Varicocoele?
The right side. If there is one there need to think of what else could be blocking it
What is a Spermatocoele?
Epididymal cyst (Aka Retention cyst) Contains spermatogonia and is palpable
What is Epididymitis?
Inflammation of the epididymis
How can you distinguish between a Hydrocoele or Haematocoele?
Transillumination - more light will pass through the Hydrocoele
What is an Indirect inguinal hernia?
Reopening of the processus vaginalis, take the same route as the testis when they descend
There is a potential continuity between the peritoneal cavity and tunica vaginalis
What is a Direct inguinal hernia?
Bowel goes directly through the wall in the weak Hesselbach’s triangle
What is testicular torsion?
Twisting of the spermatic cord just above the upper pole.
Medical emergency as can cause necrosis of the testis
What innervates the scrotum?
Lumbar plexus (L1 - L2) for the anterior surface - Genital branches of the genitofemoral nerve Sacral plexus (S2 - S4) for the posterior & inferior surface - Pudendal nerve and posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh too
What is the lymphatic drainage of the testis?
Para aortic nodes (Not palpable)
Due to posterior abdominal wall development
What is the lymphatic drainage of the scrotum?
Superficial inguinal nodes (Can palpate)
If you can palpate lymph nodes in the scrotal region, is it likely that the pathology is in the testis or scrotum?
Scrotum
What are the Seminal vesicles?
A pair of glands that secrete 70 - 80% of the ejaculate (Lie between the bladder and rectum)
How are the Seminal vesicles formed?
An outpouching (Diverticulum) of the of the vas deferens
What forms the ejaculatory duct?
Seminal vesicle and vas deferens
Ejaculatory duct then goes within the prostate
What is the Prostate?
A fibromuscular gland that surrounds the urethra once it leaves the bladder
What are the 2 zones of the prostate?
Central (By urethra)
Peripheral
Which area of the prostate does Benign Prostate Hypertrophy effect?
The middle lobule in the central zone. Therefore obstruction of the urethra occurs leadig to earlier symptoms
Why do Prostatic malignancies usually present later?
Because they are usually in the peripheral zone.
Why do Prostatic malignancies produce bony metastases?
The venous route of Internal vertebral plexus causes the malignant cells to be transported to the vertebrae and brain
What are the sections of the penis?
Root
Body
Glans
What is the internal structure of the penis?
Pair of Copora Cavernosa dorsally
Single Corpus Spongiosum ventrally
What supplies the penis?
Branches of the internal pudendal arteries (Branch of anterior division of the internal iliac artery)
What muscle of the male perineum aids urination?
The bulbospongiosus helps expel the last drops of urine and maintain an erection as it envelops the bulb of the penis
How does the Ischiocavernosus help maintain an erection?
Compresses the veins
What part of the urethra is most likely to become damaged during catheterisation?
Membranous as it is the least distensible
