Repro2 - The Male Reproductive System

Question 1

5 features/vasculature of the testes

Function
Blood Supply
Venous Drainage
Lowering Blood Temp
Lymphatic Drainage x2

Answer 1

1. ) Function - spermatogenesis occurs at optimum temperature (slightly lower than core body temp.)
2. ) Blood Supply - testicular artery branching off abdominal aorta
3. ) Venous Drainage - pampiniform venous plexus which then becomes the testicular veins. Right drains into IVC and left drains into the left renal vein
4. ) The pampiniform plexus acts as a heat exchanger, cooling the arterial blood before it reaches the testes
5. ) Lymphatic Drainage - testes = para-aortic lymph nodes
   - scrotum = superifical inguinal lymph nodes

Question 2

What is a varicocoele and hydroceole?

Answer 2

Varicocoele - enlargement of the testicular veins

• caused by obstruction due to pathology
• more common in the left testicular vein due to drainage

Hydroceole - swelling in the scrotum due to the tunica vaginalis filling with fluid

• swelling trans-illuminates
• gets bigger in young boys when they cough or cry due to the connection between the peritoneum and scrotum

Question 3

3 features of the seminiferous tubules

Function
Cells x2
Rete Testis

Answer 3

1. ) Function - where spermatogenesis occurs in the testis
2. ) Formed of Sertoli cells (spermatogenesis) and Leydig cells (produce testosterone)
3. ) Come together at the rete testis to join the epididymis (sperm maturation) which is continuous with the vas deferens

Question 4

What are the 13 structures found in the spermatic cord?

Fascial layers, blood vessels, nerves, others

Answer 4

3 Fascial Layers - external spermatic fascia, cremasteric fascia, internal spermatic fascia
1 Vas Deferens
5 Blood Vessels - artery to vas deferens, testicular artery and vein (pampiniform plexus), cremasteric artery and vein
3 Nerves - genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves
1 Lymph Vessels - drain into the para-aortic lymph nodes

Question 5

What is the cremasteric reflex?

Answer 5

Testing the function/innervation of the cremaster muscle

• stimulated by stroking the superomedial part of the thigh
• positive response is the testis on the stimulated side is elevated
• testing the ilioinguinal nerve (sensory) and genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve (motor)

Question 6

4 features of testicular torsion

What is it?
Complication
Intravaginal Torsion
Extravaginal Torsion

Answer 6

1. ) torsion of the spermatic cord
2. ) can restrict blood supply which can lead to ischaemia leading to loss of the testis
3. ) Intravaginal Torsion - due to lack of normal fixation of the posterior lateral aspect of the testes to the tunica vaginalis.
   - this is known as the ‘bell clapper deformity’

4.) Extravaginal Torsion - occurs in neonates and in utero where the spermatic cord and tunica vaginalis undergo torsion together

Question 7

What are the 3 accessory glands?

Answer 7

1. ) Seminal Vesicles - provides nutrition for sperm and neutralises the acidic environment of the the vagina
   - approx 65% of sperm consists of fructose-based alkaline fluid produced by the seminal vesicles
2. ) Prostate - produces milky secretion containing proteolytic enzymes and is mildy acidic
   - makes up approx 25% of sperm

3.) Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) Glands - produce secretions that reduce friction

Question 8

What are the 2 different tissue types in the penis?

Answer 8

Corpus Spongiosum - expansile tissue which the urethra travels

Corpus Cavernosum - main erectile tissue of the penis
- they are attached to bone to help anchor the penis