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Questions and Answers
What is the main difference between malignant prostatic carcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplasia?
What is the primary function of the bulbo-urethral glands of Cowper?
What percentage of seminal fluid comes from the prostate gland?
What is the process that spermatozoa undergo in the female genital tract to become capable of fertilization?
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What is the name of the ventral column of erectile tissue in the penis?
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What is the function of the tunica albuginea in the penis?
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What is the name of the glands that open into the urethra in the penis?
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What is the main difference between the corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum?
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What is the percentage of seminal fluid contributed by the bulbo-urethral glands?
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What is the function of the fascia penis in the penis?
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Study Notes
Accessory Male Genital Glands
- Located along the excretory duct system
- Produce secretions essential for reproductive function in men
- Testosterone is required to maintain their functional activity
- Consist of:
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate
- Bulbourethral glands
Seminal Vesicles
- Two highly tortuous tubes about 15 cm in length and 5 cm long when coiled
- Adjacent to posterior aspect of bladder
- Formed of 3 layers:
- Mucosa: pseudostratified columnar non-ciliated epithelium, highly folded for large surface area for secretion
- Musculosa: inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscles
- Adventitia: loose CT rich in elastic fibers
- Function:
- Give about 70-80% of the seminal fluid
- Secretion is viscid, yellowish (lipochrome pigment), rich in fructose, prostaglandins, proteins & fibrinogen
- Fructose is the main nutrient for spermatozoa and is the source of energy for their motility
Prostate
- Surrounding the neck of the urinary bladder
- Exocrine compound tubulo-alveolar gland
- Formed of stroma and parenchyma
- Stroma: capsule (thick fibromuscular, rich in blood vessels) and seminiferous tubule
- Parenchyma: epithelium, BM, myoid cells, Leydig cells
- Function: not specified in the text
Vas Deferens
- Straight muscular tube, starts from tail of epididymis and continues towards the prostate
- Formed of 3 layers:
- Mucosa: pseudostratified columnar ciliated with stereocilia (in proximal part) → Non-ciliated (in distal part)
- Musculosa: very thick (palpable & firm) in inguinal canal, with three layers: inner longitudinal, middle circular and outer longitudinal
- Adventitia: loose CT rich in elastic fibers
- Function:
- Thick smooth muscle → strong peristaltic contractions → expulsion of the spermatozoa → ejaculatory duct during ejaculation
Spermatic Cord
- Passes through the inguinal canal
- Includes:
- Vas deferens
- Pampiniform plexus of veins
- Testicular artery & vein
- Nerve fibers & Lymphatics
- Cremasteric muscle: striated involuntary muscle
Ejaculatory Ducts
- Formed by union of ampulla of vas deferens with the duct of seminal vesicle
- Compress the urethra and usually lead to difficult micturition
- Malignant prostatic carcinoma arises from acini of the peripheral zone
Bulbourethral Glands of Cowper
- Two small compound tubulo-alveolar exocrine gland on the under surface of membranous urethra
- Lined by simple cuboidal epithelium
- Fibromuscular septa divide each gland into lobes
- Secreted mucus → clear and acts as a lubricant
Seminal Fluid (Semen)
- It is the product of ejaculation, consists of spermatozoa and seminal fluid
- Seminal fluid is derived from the seminal vesicles (70%), prostate (25%) and bulbo-urethral gland (5%)
- By the time of ejaculation, spermatozoa have matured and acquired motility; however, they remain incapable of fertilizing an ovum until after undergoing a process called capacitation within the female genital tract
The Penis
- The penis is the male copulatory organ for the deposition of spermatozoa into the female reproductive tract
- Composed of the erectile tissues (numerous endothelial-lined blood spaces that are separated by CT trabeculae and smooth muscle cells)
- Erectile tissue exists in the form of three columns:
- The two dorsal columns are called the corpora cavernosa and the single ventral column is the corpus spongiosum, through which runs the penile urethra
- Corpora cavernosa are covered by a thick layer of dense CT (Tunica albuginea) while corpus spongiosum is covered by a thin tunica albuginea
- Tunica albuginea is surrounded by fascia penis rich in elastic fibers
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Description
This quiz covers the structure and function of accessory male genital glands, including their location, epithelial lining, and role in reproductive function.
