Male Reproductive Anatomy Flashcards
(135 cards)
The manufacturing and assembly plant that must be air conditioned
testes
What is the manufacturing complex?
the process of producing fertile sperm and transporting it outside of the male reproductive tract
What are the five stages of the manufacturing complex?
sperm is produced in the testis, fluid is absorbed and the spermatazoa undergo changes that will allow them to become fertile in the head and body of the epididymis, spermatozoa is stored in the tail of the epididymis, spermatozoa travel to the accessory sex glands fluids in the seminal plasmsa, and then are emitted through ejaculation from an erection in the penis
What are the male gonads referred to as?
testes
What do the testes produce?
male gametes (spermatozoa) and hormones (testosterone, others), fluids
What are the different layers of the scrotum? Hint: There are 3 before you reach the testis.
skin, stratum subdarticum, tunica dartos muscle
How is the scrotum thermoregulated?
It has thinner skin (leading to low insulation and is outside the body), has sweat glands, and has thermosensitive nerves (sweat glands, respiratory rate)
Which component regulates the temperature of the testes?
tunica dartos
How does the tunica dartos regulate the testes?
smooth muscle contractions (varying with scrotal temperature) and sustained contractions (close to body, away from body, increases surface area)
What controls the contractions used to regulate the teste temperature in the tunica dartos?
Androgens
What are the four different parts of the testes?
testicular capsule, parenchyma, mediastinum, rete tubules
What are the two parts of the testicular capsule?
tunica vaginalis (parietal, visceral) and tunica albuginea
What is the function of the Leydig cells?
to produce testosterone
What are the two compartments of the testicular parenchyma?
tubular and interstitial
What are the two functions of the epididymis?
environment for maturation of sperm (motility and fertility) and stores sperm
What is the fertility and motility of sperm in the body of the epididymis?
some motility and some fertility (can bind to the ova)
What is the fertility and motility of sperm in the head of the epididymis?
not motile, not fertile
What is the motility and fertility of sperm in the tail of the epididymis?
motile, fertile, can bind to ova
What are the two functions of the spermatic cord?
suspends/supports testis and is a pathway for lymphatics, nerves, and vasculature to/from testis, houses ductus vas deferens, testis temperature control (pampiniform plexus and cremaster muscle)
What are the 4 functions of the cremaster muscle?
supports and aids in temperature control, continuous with abdominal oblique, contracts/relaxes, non-sustainable contractions
What are the 3 structures of the spermatic cord?
cremaster muscle, pampiniform plexus, vas deferens
The testes must be how many degrees Celcius cooler than body temperature?
4-6
What complications does the disruption of cooling mechanisms cause in the testis?
severely compromises spermatogenesis
__ extends from the inguinal ring to its attachment on the dorsal pole of the testis.
spermatic cord