Anatomy and Function of Testes and Epididymis

Testes

• Location: Scrotum, outside of the abdominal cavity
• Function: Produce sperm and testosterone
• Structure:
  • Consist of seminiferous tubules, where spermatogenesis occurs
  • Interstitial tissue, where Leydig cells produce testosterone
• Spermatogenesis:
  • Process of sperm cell development
  • Takes approximately 70 days to complete

Epididymis

• Location: Posterior to the testes
• Function: Store and mature sperm cells
• Structure:
  • Composed of narrow, convoluted tubes
  • Divided into three regions: caput, corpus, and cauda
• Maturation process:
  • Sperm cells move from the testes to the epididymis
  • Undergo maturation and become more motile

Vas Deferens

• Location: Connects the epididymis to the prostate gland
• Function: Muscular tube that transports sperm during ejaculation
• Structure:
  • Thick, muscular walls
  • Narrow lumen
• Contraction during ejaculation:
  • Propels sperm through the reproductive system

Ejaculation

• Process:
  • Sperm and semen are propelled through the urethra
  • Expelled from the penis during sexual climax
• Control:
  • Regulated by the autonomic nervous system
  • Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves involved

Prostate Gland

• Location: Surrounds the urethra, below the bladder
• Function:
  • Produces seminal fluid
  • Aids in sperm motility and nourishment
• Structure:
  • Glandular tissue surrounded by a fibromuscular capsule
  • Divided into peripheral, central, and transitional zones
• Secretions:
  • Alkaline fluid, rich in nutrients and enzymes
  • Makes up majority of semen volume

Male Reproductive System

• Testes are located in the scrotum outside the abdominal cavity and produce sperm and testosterone.
• Each testis contains seminiferous tubules where spermatogenesis occurs and interstitial tissue where Leydig cells produce testosterone.
• Spermatogenesis is the 70-day process of sperm cell development.

Epididymis

• The epididymis is located posterior to the testes and stores and matures sperm cells.
• It is composed of narrow, convoluted tubes divided into three regions: caput, corpus, and cauda.
• Sperm cells move from the testes to the epididymis, where they undergo maturation and become more motile.

Vas Deferens

• The vas deferens is a muscular tube that connects the epididymis to the prostate gland and transports sperm during ejaculation.
• It has thick, muscular walls and a narrow lumen.
• Contraction of the vas deferens during ejaculation propels sperm through the reproductive system.

Ejaculation

• Ejaculation is the process by which sperm and semen are propelled through the urethra and expelled from the penis during sexual climax.
• The autonomic nervous system regulates ejaculation, involving both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves.

Prostate Gland

• The prostate gland surrounds the urethra below the bladder and produces seminal fluid that aids in sperm motility and nourishment.
• The glandular tissue is surrounded by a fibromuscular capsule and divided into peripheral, central, and transitional zones.
• The prostate gland secretes an alkaline fluid rich in nutrients and enzymes, making up the majority of semen volume.

This quiz covers the location, function, and structure of the testes and epididymis, including the process of spermatogenesis.