Anatomy - Male Reproductive Organs Flashcards
(26 cards)
In the male, the gonads are located outside the abdominopelvic cavity but remain intimately connected to the structures located there. What purpose does this serve?
To keep them cool
What are the main contents of the spermatic cord?
Vas deferens
Testicular artery
Nerve to cremaster
What is the tough outer fibrous layer of the testes?
Tunica albuginea
What is the tunica vaginalis?
A peritoneal sac covering the testes
What are the two layers of tunica vaginalis?
Visceral and parietal laminae
What material is present between the two layers of tunica vaginalis?
Thin fluid layer
What is a hydrocele?
Accumulation of serous fluid around a testicle
What is a haematocele?
Accumulation of blood around a testicle
At what vertebral level do the testicular arteries arise from the abdominal aorta?
L2
Which structures do the testicular arteries cross before the travel through the inguinal canal?
Ureter
External iliac artery
What is the term used for the 8-12 anastomosing veins associated with the testes?
Pampiniform plexus
What is the function of the pampiniform plexus?
Thermoregulation
Into which vein does the right testicular vein drain?
IVC
Into which vein does the left testicular vein drain?
Left renal vein
What is a varicocele?
Abnormal enlargement of the pampiniform plexus
Which two lymph node groups receive lymph from the testes?
Superficial inguinal (scrotum) and para-aortic (testes)
Where does the vas deferens originate?
Tail of the epididymis
How does the vas deferens enter the pelvis?
Through the spermatic cord in the inguinal canal, crossing over the external iliac vessels
How does the vas deferens terminate?
By joining the duct of the seminal gland to form the ejaculatory duct
What secretions are produced by the seminal vesicles?
Seminal fluid
What secretions are produced by the prostate?
Prostatic fluid
Why might an enlarged prostate gland cause retention of urine?
Constriction of urethra
What is the clinical significance of drainage from the prostatic venous plexus?
The prostatic venous plexus drains into the internal iliac vein which connects with the vertebral venous plexus, this is thought to be the route of bone metastasis of prostate cancer
Which section of the urethra do the bulbourethral glands empty into?
Penile/spongy urethra
