Unit 19 - Male Reproductive System Flashcards
1
Q
In the male the primary gonads are the _______
A
“testes”
2
Q
The ideal temperature for producing and storing sperm is about _____ Celsius lower than body temperature (94oF or 34.4oC).
A
3 degrees
3
Q
The _______, which is a skin-covered sac between the thighs, provides the cooler environment needed for normal sperm development and maturation
A
“scrotum”
4
Q
The scrotum is subdivided into two longitudinal compartments by a fibrous
_______
A
“scrotal septum”
5
Q
Purpose of scrotal septum
A
This compartmentalization helps limit trauma or infection to one testis.
6
Q
The scrotum is homologous to the _____ in the female
A
labia majora
7
Q
Externally, the scrotum contains a distinct, ridgelike seam at the midline, called the
______
A
“raphe”
8
Q
When the testes are exposed to elevated temperatures, the ______ relaxes, which unwrinkles the skin of the scrotum and allows the testes to be placed further
from the body
A
dartos muscle
9
Q
At the same time, another muscle (the _______) also relaxes to allow
the testes to move inferiorly away from the body.
A
“cremaster muscle”
10
Q
the cremaster muscle is composed of ______ muscle and
extends along the spermatic cord.
A
skeletal
11
Q
The blood vessels and nerves to the testis travel from within the abdomen to the scrotum in a multilayered structure called the ______
A
“spermatic cord”
12
Q
The spermatic cord originates in the ______, a tubelike passageway in the inferior abdominal wall.
A
“inguinal canal”
13
Q
the spermatic cord consists of three layers:
A
“internal spermatic fascia” , cremaster muscle, “external spermatic fascia”
14
Q
The ductus deferens, travels within the internal spermatic fascia
A
True
15
Q
The “cremaster (Greek for “a suspender”) muscle” and cremaster fascia (formed
from muscle fiber extensions of the _____ oblique muscle of the aponeurosis) surround the testes and the spermatic cord.
A
internal
Since this thin layer of muscle is actually an extension of the internal oblique muscle
it is possible for it to be contracted voluntarily.
16
Q
An ______ is formed from the aponeurosis of the external
oblique muscle
A
“external spermatic fascia”
17
Q
Within the spermatic cord is a singular ________ that is a direct
branch from the abdominal aorta
A
“testicular (gonadal) artery”
18
Q
The testicular artery is surrounded by a plexus of veins called the _____
A
“pampiniform plexus”.
provides thermoregulation for pre-cooling arterial blood prior to reaching the testes.
19
Q
The left testis is usually lower than the right testis
A
True
20
Q
The testes produce sperm and ______ (male sex hormones)
A
androgens
21
Q
Each testis is covered both anteriorly and laterally by a serous membrane, the _____
A
“tunica vaginalis”.
This membrane is derived from the peritoneum of the abdominal cavity
22
Q
Each testis is subdivided into about 250 separate _____
A
“lobules”.
23
Q
Each lobule contains up to four extremely convoluted, thin and elongated
______
A
“seminiferous tubules”
24
Q
The seminiferous tubules contain two types of cells.
A
“sustentacular cells”, A population of dividing germ cells that continuously produce sperm cells in the adult male
25
These cells provide a protective environment for the developing sperm cells, and their cytoplasm helps nourish the developing sperm
“sustentacular cells”
26
The sustentacular cells are secured together by tight junctions, which form a
____ that is similar to the blood-brain barrier.
“blood-testis barrier”
helps protect developing sperm cells from materials in
the bloodstream
27
Blood Testis Barrier also protects the sperm from the body’s leukocytes, which may perceive the sperm as foreign since they have different chromosome numbers and arrangements from the male’s other body cells.
True
28
The spaces surrounding the seminiferous tubules are called _____
“interstitial spaces”.
29
Within the interstitial spaces reside the _____ (“cells of Leydig”), which produce the male hormones called ______
“interstitial cells”, “androgens”
30
The most common androgen is _____
“testosterone”.
31
The testes receive blood through the ______ which arise directly from the abdominal aorta and venous blood is drained by the gonadal (testicular) veins
gonadal (testicular) arteries
32
1 )The ______ drains directly into the inferior vena cava.
| 2) The ______ drains into the left renal vein.
right gonadal vein
left gonadal vein
33
Inflammation of a testis is called _____
“orchitis”
34
Orchitis can occur in cases of _____, a viral infection of childhood.
“mumps”
35
The sperm develop in the ______ and look mature
seminiferous tubules
36
The sperm must leave the seminiferous tubule through a network of ducts and reside in the _____ for a period of time in order to become fully motile.
epididymis
37
The ____ is a meshwork of interconnected channels that
| receive sperm from the seminiferous tubules
“rete testis”
38
The channels of the rete testis merge to form the _____
efferent ductules
39
Approximately 12-15 ______ connect the rete testis to the epididymis.
“efferent ductules”
40
The ______ is a comma-shaped structure
| composed of an internal duct and an external covering of connective tissue
“epididymis
41
The “head” of epididymis lies on the _____ surface of the testis, while the “body” and “tail” are
posterior to the testis.
superior
42
Internally, the epididymis contains a long, convoluted ______
which is approximately 4-5 meters (about 14 feet) in length!
“duct of the epididymis”,
43
The ______ stores sperm until they are fully mature and capable of being
motile
epididymis
44
When sperm leave the epididymis, they enter the ______
“ductus deferens”, also called the “vas deferens”.
45
The wall of the ductus deferens is composed of:
Mucosa, Muscularis, Adventitia
46
As the ductus deferens approaches the superoposterior edge of the prostate gland,
it enlarges and forms the _____
“ampulla”
47
The ampulla of the ductus deferens unites with the proximal region of the ______ to form the terminal portion of the reproductive duct system, called the_____
seminal vesicle
ejaculatory duct.
48
The “ejaculatory duct” is between 1 and 2 centimeters long and is lined with ciliated epithelium.
True
49
The _____ conducts sperm (from the ductus deferens) and a component of seminal fluid (from the seminal vesicle) toward the urethra
ejaculatory duct
50
The ______ transports semen from both ejaculatory ducts to the outside of the
body.
“urethra”
51
The urethra in males is subdivided into:
- A “prostatic urethra” that extends through the prostate gland
- A “membranous urethra” that travels through the muscles of the pelvic floor.
- A “spongy urethra” that extends through the penis
52
Recall from earlier in this section that the vagina is a highly ____ environment to
prevent the growth of pathogens
acidic
53
Sperm cannot survive in this type of environment of the vagina, so an alkaline secretion called
_______ is needed to neutralize the acidity of the vagina
“seminal fluid”
54
The paired _____ are located on the posterior surface of the urinary bladder adjacent to the ampulla of the ductus deferens
“seminal vesicles”
55
It is the proximal portion of the seminal vesicle that merges with the _____ to form the ejaculatory duct
ductus deferens
56
The seminal vesicles secrete a viscous, whitish-yellow, alkaline fluid containing both
_____.
fructose and prostaglandins
57
The ______ promote widening and slight dilation of the external os of the cervix, which facilitates sperm entry into the uterus
prostaglandins
58
The _____ is used to provide energy for the sperm.
fructose
59
The _____ is a compact encapsulated organ that is about the same shape
and size as a walnut.
“prostate gland”
60
The prostate gland is located immediately inferior to the bladder.
True
61
The ____ contains glands that produce a thin, milky-colored, weakly acidic secretion that is
rich in citric acid, seminalplasmin, and prostatic-specific antigen (PSA).
“prostate gland”
62
a nutrient for sperm health.
Citric Acid
63
an antibiotic that combats urinary tract infections in the
| male
seminalplasmin
64
acts as an enzyme to help liquefy semen following ejaculation.
prostatic-specific antigen (PSA)
65
a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland
| a common disorder in older men
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
66
In BPH, large, discrete nodules form within the prostate and compress the prostatic urethra. Thus, the patient has difficulty starting and stopping a stream of urine, and often complains of nocturia (excessive urinating at night), polyuria (more-frequent urination), and dysuria (painful urination)
True
67
an instrument called a ______ is inserted into the urethra to cut away the problematic prostate enlargement.
resectoscope
68
one of the most common malignancies among men over 50, and the risk of developing it increases with age
Prostate cancer
69
A very effective screening tool is a ______, whereby a physician inserts a finger into the rectum and palpates adjacent structures
digital rectal exam
70
Paired, pea-shaped ______ are located within
| the muscles of the pelvic floor on each side of the membranous urethra
“bulbourethral glands” (“Cowper’s glands”)
71
Each bulbourethral gland has a short duct that projects into the bulb (base) of the penis and enters the spongy urethra.
Their secretory product is a clear, viscous mucin that forms mucus.
True
72
What gland is responsible for this?
As a component of seminal fluid, this mucin protects the urethra and serves as a
lubricant during sexual intercourse.
- This mucin is released upon sexual excitation and prior to ejaculation.
“bulbourethral glands”
73
Seminal fluid from the accessory glands combines with sperm from the testes to make up ______
“semen”
74
When released during intercourse, semen is called the ______, and it is normally
about 3 to 5 milliliters in volume and contains approximately 200 to 500 million
spermatozoa.
“ejaculate”
75
In a sexually active male, the average transit time of human spermatozoa, form their release into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, passage through the duct system, and appearance in the ejaculate, is about ____
2 weeks.
76
The tip of the penis is called the_____, and it contains the ______
“glans, “external urethral orifice”
77
At the distal end of the penis, the skin is attached to a raised edge of the glans and forms a circular fold called the _____
“prepuce”
78
the surgical removal of the prepuce (foreskin) of the penis
circumcision
79
Within the shaft of the penis are three cylindrical erectile bodies.
1) The paired _____ are located dorsolaterally.
(a) Each corpus cavernosum terminates in the shaft of the penis.
2) Inferior to them in the midline is the single _____, which contains
the spongy urethra
(a) The corpus spongiosum continues within the glans.
“corpora cavernosa”, “corpus spongiosum”
80
_____ innervation is responsible for erection of the penis.
Parasympathetic
81
The erectile bodies are composed of a complex network of _____
surrounded by a central artery.
“venous spaces”
82
_____ is the process by which semen is expelled
| from the penis with the help of rhythmic contractions of the urethra.
“Ejaculation”
83
_____ innervation is responsible for ejaculation
Sympathetic
84
parasympathetic innervation is necessary to achieve an erection, while
sympathetic innervation promotes ejaculation.
True
85
_____, also known as sexually transmitted diseases, or venereal diseases, are a group of infectious diseases that are usually transmitted via sexual contact.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
86
STIs are a leading cause of _____ in women, in which the pelvic organs become infected
pelvic inflammatory disease
87
the most frequently reported bacterial STI in the United States.
These symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge, painful urination (in both males and females), and low back pain
Chlamydia
88
is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Infected individuals undergo cyclic outbreaks of blister formation in the genital and anal regions; the blisters are filled with fluid containing millions of infectious viruses
Genital herpes
89
is spread either by sexual contact or from mother to newborn at the time of delivery. Symptoms include painful urination and/or a yellowish discharge from the penis or vagina.
Gonorrhea
90
caused by the corkscrew-shaped bacterium Treponema pallidum. The bacterium is spread sexually via contact with a syphilitic sore (called a chancre [shan′ker]), or a newborn may acquire it in utero
Syphilis
91
The female and male reproductive structures originate from the same basic _____,
which differentiate into male or female structures, depending upon the signals the primordia receive.
primordia
92
_____ refers to the sex of an individual based on his or her sex chromosomes
“Genetic sex”
93
An individual with two X chromosomes is a genetic ____, while an individual
with one X and one Y chromosome is a genetic ____.
female, male
94
50% of male sperm have the X sex chromosome and 50% of male sperm have the Y
sex chromosome)
True
95
Oocytes produced by females only have the X sex chromosome
True
96
refers to the appearance of an individual’s internal and
| external genitalia
“phenotypic sex”
97
A person with testes and male external genitalia (penis and scrotum) is a
______
phenotypic male
98
Phenotypic sex starts to become apparent no earlier than the _____ week of
embryonic development.
seventh
99
In males, a ______ is located on a specific part of the Y chromosome called the sex-determining region
“testis-determining factor (TDF) gene”
If the Y chromosome is present, the TDF gene produces proteins to stimulate the production of other hormones (i.e. - testosterone and other androgens) that initiate
male phenotypic development
100
If a Y chromosome is absent (i.e. - the individual is a genetic female), or if the Y
chromosome is lacking TDF, a female phenotypic sex is produced.
True
101
The female phenotypic sex may be thought of as the organism’s default pattern.
True
102
_____ refer to a series of disorders where there is a discrepancy between a person’s genotype (and gonad development) and their external genitalia. (The previous term used to describe this condition is hermaphrodite
Intersex conditions, or disorders of sex development
103
also known as true hermaphroditism, refers to an individual with both ovarian and testicular structures (which typically does not have the potential for fertility) and ambiguous (or female) external genitalia. The person may be a genetic male (XY) or a genetic female (XX).
True gonadal intersex
104
refers to an individual whose genetic sex and phenotypic sex do not match.
Pseudohermaphroditism
105
A _____ intersex individual, previously known as a male pseudohermaphrodite, is a genetic male (XY) whose external genitalia resemble those of a female (female phenotypic sex)
46 XY
commonly is caused by androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS)
106
A _____ intersex individual, previously known as a female pseudohermaphrodite, is a genetic female (XX) with external genitalia that resemble those of a male (male phenotypic sex)
46 XX
107
indifferent gonad originates near the level of thoracic vertebra T10 and is
located retroperitoneally
True
108
A thin band of connective tissue called the _____
attaches to the testis and pulls it from the abdomen, through the developing inguinal canal, to its final placement in the scrotum
“gubernaculum”
109
the round ligaments in females, which run from the
lateral sides of the uterus, through the inguinal canal, and attach to the labia
majora, are the remnants of the female_____
gubernacula
110
It is common for premature male babies to have undescended testes because they
were born before the testes had fully descended into the scrotum.
1) Their testes usually descend shortly after birth.
True
111
. The failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum by the time of birth is
referred to as _____
“cryptorchidism”
112
The external genitalia appear very similar between males and females until about
week ____ of fetal development, and they do not become clearly differentiated until
about week 20.
12
