structure and function of the male reproductive system

Question 1

what is the most abundant hormone (androgens) produced in the testes?

Answer 1

testosterone

Question 2

where is the testes located?

Answer 2

scrotum, descends through the inguinal canal to reach the scrotum during 8th month of development

Question 2

function of the testes?

Answer 2

produce male gametes, sperm

Question 3

spermatic cord?

Answer 3

contains blood vessels and nerves and supplies the testes

Question 4

what is the name of the capsule surrounding each testis?

Answer 4

tunica albuginea

Question 5

functionally testis consists of 2 compartments what are these?

Answer 5

seminiferous tubules and intertubular tissue, which forms the interstitium

Question 6

seminiferous tubules comprise 95% of testicular vol and are lined by layers of what?

Answer 6

germ cells and supporting cells - sertoli cells
- all in various stages of development
e.g. spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and sperm.

Question 7

sertoli cell function

Answer 7

• provide nutrional and mechanical support to spermatogenic cells
• also secrete inhibin which provides negative feedback on FSH secretion from the pituitary.

Question 8

what is spermatogenesis

Answer 8

process by which male spermatogonia develop into mature sperm. it occurs in the seminiferous tubules

Question 9

each ST continues near mediastinum into a straight tubule called?

Answer 9

the tubulus rectus

Question 10

tubulus rectus leads to which structure?

Answer 10

rete testis (a labyrinth of cavities in the mediastinum)

Question 11

rete testis connects with what structure?

Answer 11

epididymis

Question 12

what are the components of the interstium?

Answer 12

loose connective tissue, blood and lymphatic vessels and other cells: leydig cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, leucocytes

Question 13

leydig cells often found adjacent to blood vessels and seminiferous tubules. they are the main source of what male hormone?

Answer 13

testosterone

Question 14

maintenance of testicular temp is essential for what?

Answer 14

for spermatogenesis to occur efficiently

Question 15

what structures enable thermoregulation?

Answer 15

thin scrotal skin with sweat glands and fat
smooth muscles and skeletal muscles allowing movement of scrotum
vasculature
cremaster skeletal muscle
pampniform plexus - allows for counter-current heat exchange mechanism.

Question 16

epididymis function?

Answer 16

coiled segment of the spermatic ducts that serves to store, mature and transport sperm between the testis and deferens.

Question 17

3 parts to epididymis?

Answer 17

caput - head
corpus - body
cauda - tail

Question 18

no of efferent tubules from the testis enter the head of the epididymis and join to form the ?

Answer 18

epididymal duct

Question 19

how long does it take for sperm to pass through epididymis

Answer 19

2 weeks

Question 20

sperm leaving the testis is still?

Answer 20

immotile and immature

Question 21

vas deferens structure

Answer 21

• connects epididymis to the urethra
• has pseudostratified columnar epithelium, sterocilia
• musculature makes it palpable in the spermatic cord

Question 22

vas deferens function?

Answer 22

during ejaculation, the smooth muscle of the deferent duct contracts, propels sperm and fluids forward and transferring them into the urethra

Question 23

urethra function

Answer 23

extends from bladder to tip of the penis and constitutes a path for semen and urine.

Question 24

at ejaculation, secretions come from which structures?

Answer 24

prostate
vesicular
bulbourethral glands

Question 25

seminal vesicle location?

Answer 25

lobe type paired glands located next to deferent duct

Question 26

seminal vesicle function?

Answer 26

provides secretion containing proteins, enzymes, fructose, mucus, vit C etc to nourish and stabilize the sperm

Question 27

major component of coagulum is?

Answer 27

semenogelin I, protein expressed exclusively in seminal vesicles (area of research)

Question 28

prostate gland location?

Answer 28

muscular single band surrounding 1st inch of urethra as it emerges from the bladder

Question 29

prostate gland function?

Answer 29

produces, stores and secretes a clear, slightly acidic (6.6) fluid
1/3 of semen vol

Question 30

prostatic function is regulates by what hormone?

Answer 30

testosterone

• common for this structure to inc in size w ageing

Question 31

bulbourethral glands (cowpers glands) located where?

Answer 31

distally to prostate

Question 32

cowpers glands function?

Answer 32

enter secretion into spongy urethra and serves as a lubricant during sexual intercourse

Question 33

alkalinity of the seminal fluid helps neutralize what?

Answer 33

acidic environment of vagina

Question 34

penis consists of 3 portions?

Answer 34

root
body
glans

Question 35

penis is made up of what 3 erectile components?

Answer 35

2 corpus cavernosum
1 corpus spongiosus

Question 36

ejaculatory response is under control of what nervous system?

Answer 36

sympathetic nervous system

Question 37

erection is under control of what nervous system?

Answer 37

tactile stimulation - from emotional or visual stimuli - stimulating descending parasympathetic pathways from the brain

Question 38

name the 3 accessory glands?

Answer 38

seminal vesicles
prostate
bulbourethral (cowper) and periurethral glands (littre)

Question 39

fructose in seminal fluid provides what?

Answer 39

major energy source for sperm

Question 40

prostaglandins in seminal fluid does what?

Answer 40

stimulate activity in the female reproductive tract

Question 41

fibrinogen in seminal fluid does what?

Answer 41

semen coagulation after ejaculation

Question 42

regulation of spermatogenesis?

Answer 42

• HPT axis
• receptor expression