Week 1 - Male Reproductive System Flashcards
State the names of the features of the male reproductive tract from testis (6)
testis
epididymis
ductus deferens
accessory reproductive glands
pelvic urethra
penis
Testis: What is the function of the Testis? (2)
production of spermatozoa
production of hormones including testosterone
Testis: Where are the testis located?
-Describe the layers surrounding the Testis from the outermost to the innermost layer (2)
- Describe the layers of the scrotum starting form the innermost layer (4)
in an invagination in the peritoneum in the scrotum
visceral layer of vaginal tunic
tunica albuginea
parietal layer of the vaginal tunic
scrotal fascia
tunica dartos
scrotal skin
Testis: What is the name given to the space between the 2 layers of the vaginal tunic?
- What fluid is it filled with and why?
vaginal cavity
peritoneal fluid because the vaginal cavity is continuous with the peritoneal cavity
Testis: What does the Tunica Albuginea do? (2)
it sends out finger like projections into the parenchyma of the testis
it has contractile abilities
Testis: Describe the position of the two testis in the scrotum (2)
each testis has a separate compartment in the scrotum
the compartments are separated by a septum
Testis: What is the germinal epithelium?
- Name one type of cell contained within the germinal epithelium
- Name one type of cell in the interstitial layer around the edge of the sex cords
the epithelial layer of the seminiferous tubules of the testicles
sertoli cells
leydig cells
Testis: Describe the structure of the seminiferous tubule in each lobule of the testis
a highly convoluted unbranched tube
Testis: State the name of each tube from the lobule to the mediastinum of the testis (3)
- What is the name of the tubes taking sperm form the mediastinum to the head of the epididymis?
seminiferous tubule
tubules rectus
rete tubules
efferent ducts
Testis: Upon ultrasound, what can be seen when looking at the testis on:
- Transverse View
- Longitudinal view
hyperechoic mediastinum appears as a circle in the centre of the testis
hyperechoic mediastinum appears as a line across the middle of the testis
Epididymis: Describe its structure?
- State the 3 main parts of its structure
a long convoluted duct running from the testes to the ductus deferens
it is surrounded by smooth muscle
head
body
tail
Epididymis: What are the overall functions of this structure? (3)
- What is Epididymal transit time?
transport of spermatozoa
resorption of fluid
secretion of proteins
the time taken for spermatozoa to travel from the proximal head to the distal tail of the epididymis
Epididymis: What is the function of the head and body of the epididymis
- What is the function of the tail of the Epididymis? (2)
continuous transport of spermatozoa
storage of mature spermatozoa
smooth muscle contraction during sexual stimulation to transport spermatozoa into ductus defers
Ductus Deferens: What structures does the Ductus Deferens connect?
- What is its role?
the tail of the epididymis to the pelvic urethra
to transport sperm from the tail of the epididymis to the pelvic urethra
Ductus Deferens: Why does the Ductus Deferens have a very strong smooth muscle wall?
to propel spermatozoa in the lumen
Ductus Deferens: What anatomical structures does the Ductus Deferens have to pass through to reach the pelvic urethra? (3)
- Where does the superficial inguinal ring occur?
superficial inguinal ring
inguinal canal
deep inguinal ring
where the internal and external abdominal oblique muscles cross over
Pelvic Urethra: The Ductus Deferens empties the sperm into the pelvic urethra -
- What structure also empties into the pelvic urethra?
- What structures are found superficially, going further along the Pelvic Urethra?
the bladder
accessory reproductive glands
What structures make up the spermatic cord? (6)
ductus deferns
pampiniform plexus
nerve supply for testis
lymphatics supply for testis
cremaster muscle
visceral and parental layers of the vaginal tunic
Pampiniform Plexus: What does this structure consist of?
- State 2 functions
- Explain how its structure relates to these functions (3) (2)
testicular artery and vein
heat exchange to maintain the testis at a cool temperature
testosterone transfer from the testicular vein to the testicular artery to maintain high local concentrations of testosterone in the testis
the testicular artery is highly convoluted as it moves down towards the testis
the testicular venules wrap around the testicular artery
heat exchange occurs, cooling the blood in the artery and warming the blood leaving the testis
testosterone is produced in the testis and passes into venous blood at a high concentration
since the concentration of testosterone is higher in the venous blood than the blood in the artery the testosterone diffuses back into the arteriole blood
State the 3 Structures responsible for temperature control in the testis
- What is the Tunica Dartos?
- How does it carry out this function?
- What is the cremaster muscle?
- How does it carry out this function?
pampiniform plexus
tunica dartos
cremaster muscle
a smooth muscle in the scrotal skin
it can facilitate a long lasting contraction to bring the testes into a warmer environment
a striated muscle in the spermatic cord
it can facilitate short term elevation of the testes into a warmer environment
Testis Blood supply: State the blood supply for the Testis (2)
- What are they a direct branch of?
- State the venous supply form the Testis (2)
- What are they branches of? (2)
left testicular artery
right testicular artery
the abdominal aorta
left testicular vein
right testicular vein
left testicular vein is a branch of the left renal vein which is a branch of the caudal vena cava
right testicular vein is a direct branch form the caudal vena cava
State the blood supply for the accessory glands, urethra and penis
- What is this artery a branch from? (3)
- What is the innervation for the penis?
the internal pudendal artery
it is the terminal branch of the internal iliac artery
which is a branch of the external iliac artery
which is a branch of the abdominal aorta
dorsal penis nerve
Accessory Reproductive Glands: What do they do?
- State the names of all the possible accessory glands (4)
they produce seminal plasma along with the epididymis
ampulla of the ductus deferens
vesicular glands
prostate glands
bulbourethral gland
Accessory Reproductive Glands: Where are the ampulla located?
- How do they appear?
at the top of the ductus deferens
swollen and thick
