26.2 (Sperm Transport Relies)

Question 1

What happens to the testes 2 months after conception?

Answer 1

Testes are developing inside the body cavity near the kidneys

Question 2

What happens to the testes 3 months after conception?

Answer 2

• Connective tissue anchors the testes in place
• As the fetus grows, testes seem to “move” down because the body is enlarging around them

Question 3

What happens to the testes during birth?

Answer 3

• Hormonal signals cause the connective tissue band to shorten
• This pulls the testes through the abdominal wall –> into the scrotum

Question 4

What is the scrotum?

Answer 4

Sac that surrounds and protects the testes

Question 5

What is the scrotum made of?

Answer 5

Skin, dartos muscle, superficial fascia, scrotal septum, and raphe

Question 6

What is the dartos muscle?

Answer 6

Smooth muscle; wrinkles scrotal skin and elevates testes slightly

Question 7

What is the cremaster muscle?

Answer 7

Skeletal muscle; contracts to pull testes up when cold or during arousal

Question 8

What does the scrotal septum do?

Answer 8

Separates left and right compartments

Question 9

What is the raphe?

Answer 9

The line on the skin that marks the internal division of the scrotal septum

Question 10

What is the spermatic cord?

Answer 10

Extends from each testis into the abdomen through the inguinal canal

Question 11

What does the spermatic cord contain?

Answer 11

Ductus deferens, blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels

Question 12

What does the spermatic cord pass through?

Answer 12

This bundle passes through the superficial inguinal ring - a weak spot in the abdominal wall (can lead to hernias)

Question 13

What are the two layers of the testes?

Answer 13

Tunica vaginalis and tunica albuginea

Question 14

What is the tunica vaginalis?

Answer 14

Outer layer, slippery membrane that reduces friction

Question 15

What is the tunica albuginea?

Answer 15

Tough inner capsule that divides the testis into lobules

Question 16

What are lobules?

Answer 16

• Each contains 800+ seminiferous tubules (where sperm is made)
• These lead into straight tubules –> rete testis –> efferent ductules –> epidymis

Question 17

What is fetal descent?

Answer 17

Process where testes move from abdomen to scrotum before birth

Question 18

What is the scrotum?

Answer 18

Skin-covered sac that houses the testes

Question 19

What is the dartos muscle?

Answer 19

Smooth muscle in scrotum; wrinkles skin to help with temperature regulation

Question 20

What is the cremaster muscle?

Answer 20

Skeletal muscle that pulls testes closer to the body when cold or aroused

Question 21

What is the spermatic cord?

Answer 21

Bundle of structures that connects each testis to the abdomen

Question 22

What is the tunica vaginalis?

Answer 22

Outer covering of the testis that allows movement without friction

Question 23

What is the tunica albuginea?

Answer 23

Thick capsule that divides the testis into lobules

Question 24

What are seminiferous tubules?

Answer 24

Coiled tubes inside each testis where sperm is produced

Question 25

What is the rete testis?

Answer 25

Network of tubules that collect sperm from the seminiferous tubules

Question 26

What is the name of the muscular band that pulls the testes into the scrotum before birth?

Answer 26

Connective tissue band (also referred to as the gubernaculum)

Question 27

What are the two main muscles that regulate the position of the testes?

Answer 27

Dartos (smooth muscle) and cremaster (skeletal muscle)

Question 28

What structure contains the ductus deferens, nerves, and blood vessels?

Answer 28

Spermatic cord

Question 29

What tissue dives the testis into lobules?

Answer 29

Tunica albuginea

Question 30

What's the path sperm takes after it leaves the seminiferous tubules?

Answer 30

Seminiferous tubules --> straight tubules --> rete testis --> efferent ductules --> epidymis

Question 31

Path of spermatozoa

Answer 31

Testes --> epidymis --> ductus deferens --> ejaculatory duct --> urethra

Question 32

Testicular descent

Answer 32

Happens in fetal development; guided by connective tissue

Question 33

Dartos and cremaster

Answer 33

Protect sperm viability

Question 34

Memory Tip: C.D. = Cold Defense

Answer 34

Cremaster and Dartos

Question 35

Memory Tip: S.T.R.E.E

Answer 35

Seminiferous tubules --> straight tubules --> rete testis --> efferent ductules --> epidymis

Question 36

What is the name of the tough connective tissue layer that divides each testis into lobules?

Answer 36

Tunica albuginea

Question 37

What two muscles help regulate the temperature of the testes? (Which is smooth and which is skeletal muscle)

Answer 37

Cremaster muscle (skeletal) and dartos muscle (smooth)

Question 38

What does the spermatic cord contain?

Answer 38

Ductus deferens, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves

Question 39

In what order do the following structures occur in the sperm pathway (from production to epididmyis)? - Rete testis - Seminiferous tubules - Efferent ductules - Straight tubules

Answer 39

1. Seminiferous tubules 2. Straight tubules 3. Rete testis 4. Efferent ductules

Question 40

What is the function of the tunica vaginalis?

Answer 40

Reduces friction between the testis and surround tissues (slippery membrane)

Question 41

When does the descent of the testes typically occur?

Answer 41

Late in fetal development, just before or around birth

Question 42

What physical structure pulls the testes downward during fetal development?

Answer 42

The connective tissue band (gubernaculum)

Question 43

What is the raphe and where is it located?

Answer 43

A line/mark on the scrotal skin that indicates the internal scrotal septum (dividing left/right sides)

Question 44

What structure is responsible for moving sperm from the epididymis to the prostate?

Answer 44

Ductus deferens

Question 45

What is the inguinal canal and why is it clinically important?

Answer 45

A passage through the abdominal wall where the spermatic cord travels; it's a common site for hernias