Week 2 - Sexological Male Anatomy & Physiology

Question 1

Sexual health: a predictor of general health and longevity

Answer 1

Physical health is significantly correlated with sexual activity and many aspects of sexual function, irrespective of age

Sexual activity is inversely related to mortality; in one cohort study, mortality risk was 50% lower in men with high frequency of orgasm than in men with low frequency of orgasm

Question 2

Context

Answer 2

• Religion
• Culture
• Communication
• Relationship

Question 3

Mind

Answer 3

• Self-image
• Body image
• Cognitions
• Thoughts
• Depression
• Fear

Question 4

Body

Answer 4

• Age
• Condition
• Disease
• Medication
• Life Style

Question 5

What determines the presence of testes or ovaries

Answer 5

The presence or absence of SRY gene

SRY –> testes otherwise ovaries

Question 6

When do testes develop?

Answer 6

The 7th week outer portions of gonads degenerate and inner portions develop into testes

Question 7

When do ovaries develop?

Answer 7

11th week the inner portions of gonads degenerate and outer portions develop into ovaries

Question 8

What do the endocrine glands produce

Answer 8

Male hormones (androgens)
Mullerian inhibiting substance

Question 9

When does puberty occur?

Answer 9

When hypothalamus begins to secrete gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH) causing pituitary to release:

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH
• Luteinizing hormone (LH

Question 10

Limbic system

Answer 10

Important for controlling behavior for survival (eating, emotions, fighting, flight, reproduction)

Question 11

Hypothalamus

Answer 11

Important for several things, such as hunger and thirst, circadian rhythm and sex.

Question 12

Genital reaction

Answer 12

Core regions in the hypothalamus project directly or
via core regions in the brainstem into autonomous
neurons in the spinal cord

Question 13

The software of sex drive

Answer 13

The role of neurotransmitters

Question 14

The hardware of sex drive

Answer 14

How neurons and neuronal networks process and modulate sexual responses

Question 15

Neurotransmitters

Answer 15

1. Noradrenaline / adrenaline –> fight/flight
2. Cortisol –> stress
3. Testosterone –> motivator
4. Dopamine –> pleasure, well-being
5. Serotonin –> obsession
6. Oxytocin –> bonding, attraction, arousal

Question 16

Excitatory factors

Answer 16

1. Testosterone
2. Estrogen
3. Progesterone
4. Dopamine

Question 17

Inhibitory factors

Answer 17

1. Serotonin
2. Prolactin
3. Opioids

Question 18

Average penis

Answer 18

• 12.9 - 13.9cm erect
• 9.16cm stretched
• 8.7cm flacid

Question 19

Micropenis

Answer 19

• <4cm flaccid and <7.5cm erect

Question 20

Phases of erection

Answer 20

1. flaccid phase
2. latent phase
3. tumescent phase
4. full erection phase
5. rigid erection phase
6. detumescence phase

Question 21

Flaccid phase

Answer 21

Cavernosal smooth ms contracted; sinusoids empty; minimal arterial flow

Question 22

Latent phase

Answer 22

Increased pudent artery flow; erection forming

Question 23

Tumescent phase

Answer 23

Rising intracavernosal pressure; erection forming

Question 24

Full erection phase

Answer 24

Increased cavernosal pressure causes penis to become full erect

Question 25

Rigid erection phase

Answer 25

Further increases in pressure + ischiocavernosal muscle contraction

Question 26

Detumescence phase

Answer 26

Following ejaculation, sympathetic discharge resumes; there is smooth muscle contraction and vasonstriction; reduced arterial flow; blood is expelled from sinusoidal spaces

Question 27

Erection types

Answer 27

1. Psychogenic erections 2. Reflexogenic erections 3. Nocturnal erections

Question 28

Mechanisms of erection

Answer 28

1. Erotic stimuli (dopamine) 2. Neural initiation: parasymp. oxytogenic nerve fibers 3. Cellular activation of L-arginine pathway 4. Relaxation of cavernous smooth musculature 5. Erection

Question 29

Peripheral neuroanatomy

Answer 29

* Parasympathetic pathways (sacral nerves 2- 4) for control of erection * Sympathetic pathways (thoracic T10–L2) control detumescence and ejaculation * Both pass to the Cavernosal nerve

Question 30

Somatic neuroanatomy

Answer 30

* From S2-4 Onuf’s nucleus to the Pudendal and Dorsal nerves * Innervate the bulbocaversus muscles (pelvic floor)

Question 31

Erection enemies

Answer 31

* Smoking * Alcohol * Drugs * Stress * Anxiety

Question 32

The deadly quartet

Answer 32

1. Diabetes 2. Obesity 3. Hypertension 4. Dislipidemia

Question 33

Functions of pelvic floor

Answer 33

1. Innervate the bulbocaversus muscles (pelvic floor) 2. The pelvic floor is part of the sphincters mechanism of the anus and urethra (is essential for continence). 3. The pelvic floor of women is important in the birth process because of the resistance in the birth canal that is essential for the spindle rotation. Support Passage Mobility/stability Sex Emotion

Question 34

Involvement of PF

Answer 34

* Enhancement of blood flow ischiocavernous muscle facilitates erection * bulbocavernous maintaining the erection (pressing deep dorsal vein) * Inhibit ejaculation relaxation of the bulbocavernous and ischiocavernous muscles