The Reproductive System Flashcards
The reproductive system is designed to
perpetuate the species
Male gametes
sperm cells
Female gametes
ova
Fertilization
joining of a sperm cell and an ovum
results in formation of a zygote
The reproductive system includes
- gonads (testes/ovaries)
- reproductive tract
- accessory glands
- perineal structures (external genetalia)
Structures of the male reproductive system
(know the picture)
- testis
- epididymis
- ductus deferens
- ejaculatory duct
- spongey urethra
- seminal gland
- prostate gland
- bulbo-urethral gland
Where are the testes?
They hang inside a pouch called the scrotum, which is on the outside of the body
Development of the testes
testes form inside the abdominal cavity near the kidneys
they descend toward the scrotum by passing through the inguinal canals
Spermatic cords
bundle the ductus deferens, blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves to the testes
Temperature for testicle development
Temperature for sperm development
98.6; which is why they develop in the abdominal cavity
96.6; which is why they the testes are outside the body
Two chambers of the scotum
scrotal cavities
Peripheral raphe
separate the chambers
can be seen as thickened tissue that extends from the anus, across the scrotum, and along the anterior surface of the penis
Tunica vaginalis
a serous membrane that covers the outside of each testis and covers the inside lining of each scrotal cavity
Dartos muscle
contraction causes the wrinkling of the scrotal surface
Cremaster muscle
contraction tenses the scrotal sac and pulls it closer to the body to maintain proper temperature
Cold temp = testes move closer to the abdomen
Tunica albuginea
a tough fibrous lining of the testes
separates the testes into lobules -> seminiferous tubules -> epididymus
Interstitial cells
- location + hormone
found within the space between the coils of the seminiferous tubules
produce and release testosterone
Epididymus
sperm cells move from the seminiferous tubules (via fluid movement) eventually to the epididymis to mature a little longer
recycling center for damaged spermatozoa
stores spermatozoa for further maturation (about two weeks) to get activated
Process of capacitation
sperm cells become motile when mixed with secretions from the seminal glands
become capable of fertilizing an egg when exposed to the female reproductive tract
Ductus deferens alternate name
vas deferens
know the pathway of the vas deferens
Prostatic urethra
extends from the urinary bladder through the prostate gland
Membranous urethra
the merging of the prostatic urethra and the ejaculatory duct
Spongey urethra
passes through the penis
sometimes called the penile urethra