WEEK 4 - Male Reproductive/Genitourinary Flashcards
Describe the location and structure of the penis
Attached to the pubic arch via ligaments
Shaft is made up of vascular erectile tissues bound by fibrous tissue - copora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum (urethra through the centre)
Glans is covered by a fold of skin (foreskin/prepuce)
Describe the location and structure of the scrotum
Suspended below the pubic bone
Covering for the vas deferens, testes and epididymis
Contains sweat and sebaceous glands
Consists of rugae and cremaster muscle
What is the structure and function of the testes?
To produce spermatozoa and testosterone
Each teste is covered in a double membrane - tunica vaginalis, lie in the scrotum
What is the structure and function of the spermatic cord?
Suspend the testes in the scrotum, contains blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics and vas deferens
What is the structure and function of the epididymis?
Coiled, tubular structure that curves over the upper and posterior surface of the testes.
For sperm maturation
Who does testicular cancer usually affect?
Young men between ages 25-50 (seminoma)
or between 20-30 (non-seminoma)
Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer?
- Painless lump on the scrotum
- Scrotal swelling
- Feeling of heaviness (dull/heavy abdo ache)
- Firm scrotal mass
- Acute pain
In advanced disease:
- Lower back pain/chest pain
- Cough and dyspnoea
Risk factors of testicular cancer?
- Personal Hx
- Undescended testes
- Family Hx
- Infertility
- HIV/AIDS
- Congenital defects (hypospadias)
Diagnostics for testicular cancer?
- Hx and physical exam - cancerous mass is firm and will not transluminate
- US, CT, PET scans
- Blood tests: alpha foetal protein, lactate dehydrogenase
Management of testicular cancer?
Orchidectomy/retroperitoneal lymph node dissection
Radiotherapy, chemo
