Male anatomy Flashcards
What are the functions of Leydig cells in testes?
Leydig cells - produce hormones
what are the functions of sertoli cells in the testes?
Sertoli cells: sperm development/production and testis formation
- ‘nurse cell’
which two tissue layers in the testis are closely adherent?
visceral vaginal tunic and the tunica albuginea
which ligament attaches the epididymis to the testis?
proper ligament of the testes
- attached epididymis to the testes
what are the parts of the excurrent duct system? (4)
excurrent duct system:
rete testis – efferent duct – epididymis – vas deferens
which part of the excurrent duct system contains two thick layers of smooth muscle?
Vas deferens – contains inner circular SM and outer longitudinal SM
what is the purpose of the pampiniform plexus?
Temperature control in the testes
–> must remain 4-6deg. below body temp for sperm production
–> Warm arterial blood in close association with cool venous blood
–> Passive heat transfer: blood in the artery is cooling down and the blood in the veins is warming up from the blood taken from the arteries
what are the tissue layers of the testis travelling from the outside inward?
parietal vaginal tunic
visceral vaginal tunic
tunica albuginea
which ligament attaches the epididymis to the scrotum?
ligament of the epididymis
3 key functions of the epididymis are
- storage of sperm
—-> creates sperm reserves, periodic release into urine
- maturation of sperm
—-> delivery of proteins etc important for sperm health
—-> become fully mature at the tail of the epididymis
- transport of sperm
—-> ciliated cells, SM
function of cremaster muscle in scrotum
contraction of cremaster muscle promotes venous return = enhanced cooling
–> pumps on the vessels which promotes venous return
Why do males need reproductive hormones?
- general behaviour (find females)
- mating behaviour (mating)
- secondary sex characteristics (attract females)
- sperm production (fertilisation)
What is a hormone?
Diverse groups of signaling molecules, the messengers of the endocrine system
- hormones act by binding to a specific receptor and initiating a signal transduction pathway (typically altering gene expression)
what tissues are male hormones produced in
hypothalamic
pituitary
gonadal
what is the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis (HPG)
regulates the production of reproductive hormones in both sexes
connected by vasculature which delivers hormones to tissues* (need vasculature)
Controlled by positive and negative feedback* (tissues can have different sensitivity to +/-feedback)
