Male Reproductive Anatomy

Question 1

• What is the testis covered by?

Answer 1

Tunica albuginea, visceral vaginal tunic, parietal vaginal tunic, scrotal fascia, tunica dartos (muscle), scrotal skin

Question 2

• Where are spermatozoa and testosterone produced from?

Answer 2

Spermatozoa – seminiferous tubules, Testosterone – leydig cells

Question 3

• What are the two types of seminiferous tubules?

Answer 3

Convoluted (tubulus contortus) & straight (tubulus rectus)

Question 4

• What is the function of the tail of the epididymis?

Answer 4

Storage of mature spermatozoa, transported into ductus deferens during sexual stimulation

Question 5

• What is the function of the ductus deferens?

Answer 5

Connects the epididymis (tail) to pelvic urethra

Question 6

• What is contained within the spermatic cord?

Answer 6

Ductus deferens, testicular artery and vein (pampiniform plexus), neural and lymphatic supply for testis

Question 7

• What are the functions of the pampiniform plexus?

Answer 7

Heat exchanger, pressure pulse eliminator, transfer of testosterone from testicular vein to artery

Question 8

• What muscles are involved in heat exchange?

Answer 8

Tunica dartos & cremaster muscle

Question 9

• Where do the testicular veins arise from?

Answer 9

Branches of the caudal vena cava (right) and renal vein (left)

Question 10

• What are the accessory reproductive glands?

Answer 10

Produce seminal plasma – ampulla of the deferent duct, vesicular gland, prostate gland & bulbourethral gland

Question 11

• What muscles are involved in transport of semen through the urethra?

Answer 11

Urethral m. (pelvic urethra) & bulbospongiosus m. (penile urethra)

Question 12

• What is the ischiocavernosus muscle important for?

Answer 12

Encloses the crura penis, important for erection

Question 13

• What is responsible for the blood supply and innervation of the penis?

Answer 13

Internal pudendal artery & pudendal nerve

Question 14

• What are the three columns of erectile tissue?

Answer 14

Corpus cavernosum (top left & top right) & corpus spongiosum

Question 15

• What are the two types of penis?

Answer 15

Fibroelastic (ruminants, pigs) & musculocavernous (stallions, dogs)

Question 16

• What are the functions of seminal plasma?

Answer 16

Dilution and delivery of sperm, contains fructose (not in horse) and coagulates to block the cervix (in the sow), also contains buffers and prostaglandins

Question 17

• What is significant about the prostate gland in the dog?

Answer 17

Bilobed

Question 18

• What is tenesmus?

Answer 18

A continual inclination to evacuate the bowels, caused by an enlarged prostate