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43 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Describe the scrotum |
A hairy sac of skin & connective tissue that hangs outside the pelvic cavity at the root of the penis |
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What divides the scrotum? |
A midline septum divides the scrotum providing a compartment for each testis |
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The scrotum helps what? |
Regulate the temperature of the testes |
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Sperm survival requires a? |
Temperature 2-3c lower than the core body temperature |
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In cold conditions the testes? |
Are pulled closer to the pelvic floor & the warmth of the body by the cremaster muscle |
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In warmer conditions the scrotal skin? |
Hangs loosely to increase the surface area for sweating |
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The testes are divided into lobules which contain? |
Seminiferous tubules |
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What 2 types of cells inhabit the seminiferous tubules |
1. Spermatogenic or sperm forming cells 2. Sustentacular or sertoli cells |
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Smooth muscle in the walls of the seminiferous tubules contracts to? |
Squeeze sperm and testicular fluid through the tubules and into the epididymis |
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Spermatogenesis is? |
The formation of sperm by meiosis |
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When does spermatogenesis begin and where does it occur? |
About age 14, it occurs in the seminiferous tubules within the testes |
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What 2 hormones initiate and maintain spermatogenesis |
Follicle stimulating hormone Testosterone |
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Sustentacular cells are sometimes called? |
a 'nurse cell' because of its role in nurturing the developing sperm cells |
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What do sustentacular cells do? |
-Supports and provides nutrients for about 70 days while the cells undergo meiosis & develop int sperm -Produce testicular fluid for transport of sperm -Control release of sperm into lumen of the seminiferous tubule |
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Sperm: Head contains |
The nucleus with 23 chromosomes |
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The acrosome is? |
A cap-like vesicle containing enzymes to help the sperm penetrate the secondary oocyte for fertilization |
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The midpiece contains? |
Mitochondria which provide energy so that the tail can propel the sperm through the female reproductive tract |
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What are 3 hormones in control of spermatogenesis and what do they do? |
GnRh- stimulates anterior pituitary to increase secretion of LH & FSH LH- stimulates interstitial cells to secrete testosterone FSH- stimulates spermatogenesis |
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What does testosterone do? |
Stimulates sperm maturation, bone growth and protein synthesis Controls the growth, development, functioning and maintenance of sex organs Stimulates development of male secondary sex characteristics during puberty |
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Clinical connection: Testicular cancer |
Most common form of cancer in males A painless solid mass in the testes Major risk factor is undescended testes |
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Where is the epididymis? |
Curves around the posterior surface of the testis |
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3 functions of the epididymis |
Site for sperm to mature & gain mobility over 14 days Stores sperm Propels sperm into ductus deferens by peristalsis during sexual arousal |
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Ductus deferens also called? |
Vas deferens |
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Where is the Vas deferens? |
Initially the ductus deferens travels away from the scrotum through the spermatic cord to reach the pelvic cavity, once in the pelvic cavity the ductus deferens loops over the ureter & carries sperm around the posterior surface of the urinary bladder |
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The spermatic cord contains all structures passing to & from the testes, what are these? |
Testicular blood vessels Autonomic nerves Lymphatic vessels Ductus deferens Cremaster muscle |
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The seminal vesicles are a pair of pouch like structures that add what? |
An alkaline, viscous fluid to the sperm, contains fructose that sperm can use to produce ATP |
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Ejaculatory duct does what? |
Ejects sperm and seminal vesicle secretions into the urethra just before ejaculation |
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The prostate gland is what? |
A golf ball sized gland that encircles the urethra just inferior to the urinary bladder |
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Consists of how many glands? |
20-30 glands embedded in smooth muscle & connective tissue |
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Semen consists of? |
Includes nutrients & several enzymes |
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Clinical application |
Prostate cancer Benign prostatic hyperplasia |
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What are bulbourethral glands |
Pea sized glands that produce a thick, clear, alkaline mucus which drains into the urethra & lubricates the male urethra during sexual excitement. Neutralise's acidic urine |
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Urethra is what? |
A 20cm long passageway which passes through the prostate & muscles of the perineum It carries urine out |
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The penis & scrotum constitute the what? |
Male genitalia |
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The penis consists of? |
An attached root & free shaft which ends in an enlarged tip called the glans penis |
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Skin covering the penis is loose & distally forms the what? |
Prepuce |
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The shaft is composed of three long cylindrical bodies of erectile tissue, what are these? |
2 corpora cavernosa 1 corpus spongiosum |
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Semen has a pH of? |
7.5 to neutralize the acid pH of the vagina |
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Sperm usually survive in the female reproductive tract for how long? |
48hours |
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The secondary oocyte is viable for? |
24hours |
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Fertilization usually occurs how long after ovulation? |
12hrs-24hrs |
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Male fertility requires the production of? |
Adequate numbers of normally formed sperm with normal motility |
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3 age related changes |
-The onset of puberty about 12-14 yrs is marked by pulses of GnRH which trigger production of FSH & LH -About age 55 a decline in testosterone levels results in decreased muscular strength, fewer viable sperm & decreased sexual desire -Benign prostatic hyperplasia may cause frequent urination, decreased force of stream, bed-wetting & sensation of incomplete emptying |
