male reproductive system

main organs

testes and ovaries

accessory organs

glands and external genitalia

scrotum

skin and superficial fascia surrounding testes; keeps testes 3 degrees cooler than body temp

dartos muscle

layer of smooth muscle responsible for wrinkling of the scrotal skin

cremaster muscle

skeletal muscle around testes; elevates

testes

enclosed in serous sac and surrounded by scrotum

tunica vaginalis

serous sac surrounding testes

tunica albuginea

fibrous capsule of testes dividing into 250-300 lobules an w/ 1-4 seminiferous tubules

epididymis

comma shaped structure on posterior testes

arterial supply for testes

testicular arteries

what plexus helps to cool testes

pampiniform plexus

seminiferous tubules

separated by areolar connective tissue

spermatogenic cells

form sperm

columnar sustentocytes

support cells that surround spermatogenic cells

when does sperm formation begin

at puberty

how long is the sperm formation process

75 days

how many sperm are produced per day

400 million

spermatic cord parts

ductus deferens, testicular vessels, and nerves

spermatic cord location

superior to ductus deferens through lingual canal

sustentocyte function

supply nutrients to spermatogenic cells and secrete testicular fluid to push sperm through tubule

myoid cells

surround seminiferous tubules and contract rhythmically

interstitial cells

secrete testosterone and are regulated by luteinizing hormone

epididymis length

6m uncoiled

ductus deferens function

stores and transports sperm

ductus deferens layers

inner mucosa, thick muscularis, and adventitia

urethra function

carries sperm from ejaculatory duct to “outside”

urethra sections

prostatic urethra, intermediate urethra, spongy/penile urethra

seminal glands location

on the posterior surface of the bladder

seminal glands function

secrete 60% of semen, nourishes, enhanced motility, suppresses immune response against sperm, enzymes to clot/liquify, etc

prostate gland location

encircles prostatic urethra

prostate gland make up

20-30 compound tubuloalveolar glands

prostate gland function

secretes 1/3 of semen, enhances motility, enzymes to clot/liquify

bulbo-urethral glands location

pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate

bulbo-urethral glands function

produce mucous to lubricate and neutralize acid from urine in the spongy urethra

external penis sections

shaft, glans penis, prepuce

shaft

body of the penis

glans penis

distal expanded end of the penis

prepuce

foreskin; removed in circumcision

erectile bodies

corpus spongiosum (1/spongy urethra) and corpa cavernosa (2/majority)

parasympathetic innervation

erection

sympathetic innervation

ejaculation

perineum

diamond shaped area including root of penis, scrotum, and anus

stage 1 of spermatogenesis

formation of spermatocytes (type b becomes primary)

stage 2 of spermatogenesis

meiosis 1 and 2 (1 primary to 2 secondary and 2 secondary to 4 spermatids)

stage 3 of spermatogenesis

4 spermatids become 4 sperm

testicular cancer

1 in 50,000 males and 95% cured

prostate cancer

peripheral gland