Lecture 35 Flashcards
(51 cards)
What are the accessory structures of the male reproductive system?
The penis and scrotum
What is the function of the scrotum?
To house testes away from the body to maintain temperature at 34 Celsius which is optimal for spermatogenesis
What are the two muscles of the scrotum?
The dartos and cremaster muscles
Where is the dartos muscle?
Lines inside of the the scrotum, deep to the skin, superficial to the testes
What is the function of the cremaster muscle?
To contract for heat conservation
How many spermatic cords are there?
Two
Where does the spermatic cord run?
Between the abdomen and testis
What does the spermatic cord contain?
Ductus deferen, blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics
What is the venous plexus?
Testicular veins that create web-like structure to increase surface area for temperature regulation
What is the penis?
A cylindrical organ with the root, body and glands that are covered by prepuse/foreskin
What are the functions of the penis?
Urination and copulation
How many erectile tissues does the penis contian?
Three
What are the three erectile tissues within the penis?
The two corpora cavernosa and one corpus spongiosum
What are the corpora cavernosa tissues?
The primary erectile tissues at the dorsal aspect of the penis
What is the corpus spongiosum?
The ventral aspect of the penis, containing the urethra and forming the bulb and glands
What carried spermatozoa into the female reproductive tract?
Seminal fluid, containing spermatozoa called semen
What is seminal fluid produced by?
Seminal vesicles, prostate gland and the bulbourethral grands
What are the seminal vesicles?
Two glads posterior to the bladder and lateral to the ampulla that produce a viscous secretion that makes up about 60% of semen.
What is the function of the fluid from the seminal vesicles?
It is alkaline to protect sperm against the acidic environment of the urethra and vagina
What is the prostate gland?
A gland that lies inferior to the bladder and wraps around the prostatic urethra. It produces about 30% of semen that is slightly acidic and milky that contributes to sperm activation, viability and motility
What does the fluid from the prostate glands contain?
Prostate-specific antigen
What are the bulbourethral glands?
Two glands located in the urogenital diaphragm that open into the spongy/penile urethra. They contribute about 5% of semen volume.
What is the function of the fluid from the bulbourethral glands?
To lubricate and neutralise the acidity in the urethra prior to ejaculation
What makes up the last 5% of semen?
Spermatozoa
