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20 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is semen composed of?
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SEMEN: composed of 10% sperm and 90% Seminal Plasma
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What are the key characteristics of normal semen? (volume, pH, sperm count, motility, morphology)
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Volume: 2-6ml
pH: 7.3-7.7 Sperm Count: >20mill/ml Motility: >50% Morphology: ~60%normal |
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Describe the composition of semen exiting the penis during ejaculation?
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The composition is NOT uniform; 1st portion contains highest density of sperm and contains highest motile sperm.
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What 5 glands and an extra structure contribute to the seminal plasma?
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90% of semen is seminal plasma:
70% originate from the 2 seminal vesicles. 20% originate from the epididymis (not accessory gland) 8% originate from the prostate 2% originate from the 2 bulbourethral glands |
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What are the basic functions of the accessory sex glands?
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The glands secrete products that may:
1. Optimize conditions for fertilizations 2. Extend viability of the sperm and decrease environment shock 3. Block or intercept the entrance of pathogens |
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What is the histological features of the seminal vesicles?
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1. Extensive mucosal lumen lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium.
2. Lamina propria consists of fibroelastic connective tissue 3. Surrounded by an inner circular and outer longitudinal layer of smooth muscle. |
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Where do the seminal vesicles derive from?
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Seminal vesicles arise form the wolffian duct (mesonephros) along with the epididymis, vas deferens and ejaculatory duct.
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What is the blood supply to the seminal vesicles?
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Internal iliac --> inferior vesicle artery --> arteries to the seminal vesicles.
(Veins follow the arteries) |
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What is the nerve supply of the seminal vesicles?
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1. SNS: fibers derive from the superior lumbar and hypogastric nerves stimulates secretion during emission.
2. ParaNS: fibers derive from the pelvic splanchnic nerves and inferior hypogastric plexus. (cholinergic supply is minor) |
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What are the characteristics of the secretions f the seminal vesicles?
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Secrete yellow, viscous fluid containing:
1. Fructose (for ATP/energy needed for sperm motility) 2. Prostaglandins (that may stimulate myometrial contractions) 3. Ions (Zn) for defense against micro-organisms and HCO3 that acts a buffer |
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Desribe the macro histological characteristics of the prostate gland.
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Consists of 30-50 discrete branched tubuloalveolar glands. which empty their contents via excretory ducts into the prostatic urethra.
The glands are arranged in 2 concentric layers around the urethra: 1. Peripheral (major site of prostatic cancer) 2. Transition (site at which most BPH originates) 3. Central |
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What are the micro histological characteristics of the prostate gland?
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1. Turloalveolar glnds of the prostate are formed b a cubiodal or pseudostratified columnar epithelium.
2. Fibromuscular stroma surrounds the glands 3. The prostrate is surrounded by a fibroelastic capsule rich in smooth muscle. |
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Where does the prostate gland originate from embryologically?
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Arises as an endodermal outgrowth of the prostatic urethra at the urogenital sinus.
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What is the blood supply of the prostate gland?
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Prostatic arteries are mainly branches of inferior vesicle arteries.
Prostatic venous plexus drains into the itnernal iliac veins |
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What is the innervation of the prostate gland?
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1. SNS: fibers derived from the inferior hypogastric plexus. Andrenergic supply stimulates secretion during emission.
2. ParaNS: fiber derived from the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4). Cholinergic supply is minor. |
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What is contained in the secretions from the prostate gland and the overall purpose?
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Prostate secrete a thin, whitish fluid contating:
1. Proteolytic enzymes (doesn't appear to have a role in fertilization) 2. Citric acid (maybe for ATP) 3. Acid phosphate 4. Lipids 5. ions (Zn-defense against micro-origanisms, HCO3-neutralize pH, Ca-unknown) Overall, serves to liquefy coagulated semen after deposition in the female genital tract allowing sperm to move. |
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What are the histological features of the bulbourethral glands (cowper's glands)?
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1. These glands have tubuloalveolar glands lined with simple cuboidal epithelium.
2. Skeletal and smooth muscle cells are present in the septa that divide each gland into lobes. |
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Where do secretions from the cowper's gland drain into?
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Membranous urethra
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Where do the bulbourethral glands embryologically derive from?
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Arise from the the endodermal outgrowth of the spongy urethra at the urogenital sinus.
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What is the purpose of the secretions of the bulbourethral glands? (aka)
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AKA: pre-ejaculate
Glands produce a clear, viscous secretion. Purpose is to: 1. Lubricate the urethra for spermatozoa to pass through 2. Neutralize traces of acidic residual urine that may be present in the urethra (via bicarbs) 3. Flush out any residual urine or foreign matter that may be present in the urethra. |
