Male reproductive system Flashcards
(39 cards)
What are the functions of the male reproductive system?
-formation of sperm
-produce hormones (produce gametes, regulate sexual maturation and development of secondary sex characteristics (testosterone for boys reaching puberty).
-transmission of sperm to female.
What are features of the testes?
-ductus deferns
-epidiymis
-tunica albuginea
-tunica vaginalis
-seminiferous tubule
What is the function of the epidiymis?
Stores sperm until ejaculation.
What is the function of the seminiferous tubule?
This is where sperm is produced.
What are the features of the scrotum?
-sac of skin, hangs outside body and contains testes
-sperm can’t be produced at core body production (maintain a constant temperature).
How does the scrotum maintain a constant temperature?
When cold, testes drawn closer to warmth of body.
When hot, scrotal skin flaccid, loose to lower testes (cooling).
What is the purpose of the dartos muscle?
Causes scrotal skin to wrinkle when cold (lower surface area).
What is the purpose of the cremaster muscle?
This lifts the testes closer to the body when cold.
What are the features of the penis?
-deliver sperm into female reproductive tract
-root (internal) runs into shaft (external)
-skin covering is loose called foreskin
-urethra runs down centre
What is erectile tissue?
3 cylinders running lengthwise along penis.
Made of spongy network of connective tissue and smooth muscle separated by vascular spaces.
What are the 3 types of erectile tissue?
-corpus spongiosum (located in the middle)
-corpus cavernosa (2- paired that run side by side).
What happens in the vascular spaces?
These gaps fill up with blood before ejaculation (feel hard).
What is the ductus deferens?
Sperm storage and transport, connects epididymis to urethra
Where is the urethra located?
Comes from the bladder, meets ductus deferens at base of penis, runs through penis and opens to the outside at end of penis.
What is the route of travel for sperm?
From testes, epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct and urethra before expelled out during ejaculation.
What are the features of the epididymis?
-Lies on lateral side of each testes.
-long tube where sperm matures
-sperm can be stored for months
-sperm stored near tail portion
What happens to sperm in the epididymis if they aren’t needed?
They are eventually phagocytised by epithelial cells.
How are sperm moved from the epididymis to vas deferens?
The smooth muscle walls of epididymis contract strongly.
Where is the ductus (vas) deferens located?
-Runs through spermatic cord into pelvic cavity, loops medially and descends along posterior bladder wall (terminus forms ampulla to lead to ejaculatory duct).
What is the function of the ductus deferens?
To propel sperm using peristaltic waves (muscle contractions) from epididymis during ejaculation.
What forms the ejaculatory duct?
Ampulla of ductus deferens joins duct of seminal vesicle (gland).
What is the function of the urethra?
Carries urine and semen.
What are the 3 types of urethra?
-prostatic urethra (surrounded by prostate gland)
-membranous urethra (in urogenital diaphragm)
-spongy penile urethra (runs through penis to external urethral orifice)
What does the mucosa lining in the urethra do?
It contains scattered urethral glands that secrete mucous unto lumen just before ejaculation.
