BSC2086L E.13 Male Reproductive System

Developed for the Broward College course BSC2086/L.

scrotum

• An external sac housing the testes.

• Keeps the testes cooler than body temperature to support sperm development.

tunica vaginalis

• Part of the scrotum.

• Composed of several layers of fascia and a capsule of connectie tissue.

• Envelops each testis.

spermatic cord

• A cord of tissue including blood vessels, nerves, and the ductus deferens.

• Attached to the tunica vaginalis.

testis

• The primary sex organs of the male.

• Produces sperm.

tunica albuginea

• Part of the testis.

• A thin capsule of fibrous connective tissue.

• Forms the external surface of the testis.

seminiferous tubule

• Part of the testis.

• Tiny tubes where sperm is produced.

lobule

• Part of the testis.

• Small compartments of seminiferous tubules formed by extensions of the tunica albuginea.

rete testis

• Part of the testis.

• A network of interconnecting tubes that sperm pass through from the seminiferous tubules.

efferent ductule

• Part of the testis.

• Tubes that sperm pass from the rete testis to the epididymis.

epididymis

• Part of the male duct network.

• An organ extending along the posterior side of the testis.

• Site of sperm maturation and storage.

• Divided into head, body, and tail regions.

head

• A region of the epididymis.

• Receives the efferent ducts from the rete testis.

body

• A region of the epididymis.

• Stores sperm as they mature.

tail

• A region of the epididymis.

• Bends in the opposite direction to lead to the ductus deferens.

ductus deferens

• Part of the male duct network.

• Connects the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

• Moves sperm by peristalsis.

• Also known as the vas deferens.

ampulla

• Part of the ductus deferens.

• A broadening of the ductus deferens just before the ejaculatory duct.

ejaculatory duct

• Part of the male duct network.

• The convergence of the ampulla of the ductus deferens and the seminal vesicle duct.

• Merges with the other into the urethra.

prostatic urethra

• Part of the male duct network.

• The first segment of the urethra.

• Extends from the internal urethral orifice through the prostate gland.

membranous urethra

• Part of the male duct network.

• The second segment of the urethra.

• Extends from the urogenital diaphragm to the base of the penis.

• Not shown in image.

spongy urethra

• Part of the male duct network.

• The final segment of the urethra.

• Extends from the base of the penis to the external urethra orifice.

• Also known as the penile urethra.

seminal vesicle

• An accessory male reproductive gland.

• Located near the ampulla of the ductus deferens.

• Passes fluid into the seminal vesicle ducts.

• Contributes about 60% of the semen as an alkaline product containing fructose.

prostate gland

• An accessory male reproductive gland.

• Encircles the urethra as it emerges from the urinary bladder.

• Contributes about 25% of the semen as a milky product containing protein-digesting enzymes.

bulbourethral gland

• An accessory male reproductive gland.

• Located on either side of the membranous urethra.

• Produces an alkaline mucus that neutralizes acid and lubricates the spongy urethra.

• Also known as Cowper’s glands.

• Not shown in image.

penis

• A cylindrical shaft located anterior to the scrotum.

• Delivers semen into the female vagina during sexual intercourse.

• Consists of a root, shaft, and glans penis regions.

root

• A region of the penis.

• Extends from the urogenital diaphragm to the pelvic wall.

shaft

• A region of the penis.

• Forms the exterior body of the penis.

glans penis

• A region of the penis.

• The enlarged distal end.

prepuce

• Part of the penis.

• The skin loosely covering the glans penis.

• Also known as the foreskin.

corpus cavernosum

• Part of the penis.

• A cylinder of erectile tissue found on either side of the posterior side of the penis.

corpus spongiosum

• Part of the penis.

• A cylinder of erectile tissue found on the anterior side of the penis.

• Encircles the spongy urethra.

external urethral orifice

• Part of the penis.

• The opening of the spongy urethra.

seminiferous tubule

• Slide histology of the testis.

• Site of sperm development.

spermatogonia

• Slide histology of the testis.

• Located in the walls of the seminiferous tubules.

• Cells involved in spermatogenesis that eventually become spermatozoa.

spermatozoa

• Slide histology of the testis.

• Located in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules.

• The finished products of spermatogenesis.

• Also known as sperm cells.

interstitial cell

• Slide histology of the testis.

• Located between the seminiferous tubules.

• Secretes testosterone.

• Also known as cells of Leydig.

corpus cavernosum

• Slide histology of a c.s. of the penis.

• A cylinder of erectile tissue found on either side of the posterior side of the penis.

corpus spongiosum

• Slide histology of a c.s. of the penis.

• A cylinder of erectile tissue found on the anterior side of the penis.

• Encircles the spongy urethra.

spongy urethra

• Slide histology of a c.s. of the penis.

• The final segment of the urethra.