The male reproductive system Flashcards

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1
Q

What divides the scrotum internally and externally?

A

Internally - Scrotal septum
Externally- Raphe

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2
Q

What is contained in the scrotum?

A

Deeply pigmented skin, fibrous tissue and muscle

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3
Q

What muscle is contained in the scrotum?

A

The dartos muscle (smooth muscle) and the cremaster muscle (a continuation of the internal obliques of the abdominal wall)

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4
Q

What is the function of the scrotal muscles?

A

Controlling the position and therefore temperature of the testes

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5
Q

What produces sperm?

A

The testes

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6
Q

Where do the testes begin development?

A

They are formed just below the kidneys, gradually descending through the inguinal canal

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7
Q

What is the structure of the testes?

A

Serous outside membrane - tunica vaginalis
Tough fibrous inner layer - tunica albuginea, this extends in forming septa that separate the testes into 200-300 lobules
Each lobule contains long coiled tubules called seminiferous tubules

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8
Q

What types of cells are contained in the seminiferous tubules of the testes and what are their functions?

A

Spermatogenic cells - form sperm
Sertoli cells - support the spermatogenic cells

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9
Q

What are Leydig cells?

A

The interstitial cells of the testes located between adjacent seminiferous tubules

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10
Q

What is the function of Leydig cells?

A

Testosterone production

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11
Q

What is spermatogenesis?

A

Sperm production

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12
Q

When does spermatogenesis begin?

A

Puberty, with 300 million produced each day

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13
Q

How long does it take a single sperm to develop?

A

10 weeks

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14
Q

What is the structure of a sperm?

A

Acrosome
Flattened pointed head
Neck
Tail: middle, principle and end pieces

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15
Q

What is the sperm acrosome?

A

A cap like sac covering the head of the sperm filled with enzymes that help the sperm penetrate the ovum

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16
Q

Where does the sperm get energy for its activity?

A

Mitochondria in the middle piece of the tail

17
Q

What is contained in the sperm head?

A

A nucleus containing 23 chromosomes

18
Q

How long do sperm survive without the female reproductive system?

A

Around 48 hours

19
Q

What environment do sperm need to survive?

A

Alkaline

20
Q

What is contained in semen?

A

Sperm and seminal fluid

21
Q

What is seminal fluid?

A

A thick whitish fluid consisting of fluids secreted by the seminiferous tubules, seminal vesicles, prostate gland and bulbo-urethral glands

22
Q

Where is the prostate located?

A

At the base of the bladder, surrounding the urethra

23
Q

What are bulbo-urethral glands?

A

A pair of pea sized glands situated either side of the urethra

24
Q

What is the purpose of the bulbo-urethral glands?

A

They produce a few drops of fluid upon arousal which act as a lubricant and neutralises the acidity of the urethra

25
Q

What are the seminal vesicles?

A

A pair of glands close to the prostate, either side of the bladder

26
Q

What do seminal vesicles do?

A

Produce seminal fluid which makes up around 60% of semen volume, it is fluid that provides nourishment and fuel for the sperm and aids their movement

27
Q

What is the order of the ducts the sperm passes through from the testes to outside the body?

A

Epididymis
Ductus (vas) deferens
Ejaculatory duct
Urethra

28
Q

What is the epididymis?

A

A coiled single tube, acting as a reservoir of sperms on their exit from the testes.

29
Q

What are the ductus deferens?

A

Thick wall muscular tubes that transport the sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct

30
Q

What is the ejaculatory duct?

A

The duct formed from the ductus deferens as it passes over the top and down the posterior surface of the bladder
The ejaculatory duct passes through the prostate to open into the urethra

31
Q

What is the structure of the shaft of the penis?

A

3 parallel cylindrical masses of tissue covered by a fibrous tunica albuginea

32
Q

What are the masses of the penis shaft called?

A

Two dorsal: corpus cavernosa penis
One ventral: corpus spongiosum penis