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Questions and Answers
Where does sperm develop successfully in the male reproductive system?
Where does sperm develop successfully in the male reproductive system?
What is the function of the penis in the male reproductive system?
What is the function of the penis in the male reproductive system?
Which structure provides the testes with a cooler environment than body temperature?
Which structure provides the testes with a cooler environment than body temperature?
What is the purpose of the accessory sex glands in the male reproductive system?
What is the purpose of the accessory sex glands in the male reproductive system?
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Which muscle is part of the wall of the scrotum?
Which muscle is part of the wall of the scrotum?
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What do the testes produce in the male reproductive system?
What do the testes produce in the male reproductive system?
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What is the origin of the spermatic cord in the male reproductive system?
What is the origin of the spermatic cord in the male reproductive system?
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Which artery is a branch of the abdominal aorta in the male reproductive system?
Which artery is a branch of the abdominal aorta in the male reproductive system?
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What surrounds the testicular artery in the male reproductive system?
What surrounds the testicular artery in the male reproductive system?
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Which membrane covers each testis in the male reproductive system?
Which membrane covers each testis in the male reproductive system?
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Where do the efferent ductules connect to in the male reproductive system?
Where do the efferent ductules connect to in the male reproductive system?
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What is the function of the epididymis in the male reproductive system?
What is the function of the epididymis in the male reproductive system?
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Which gland secretes a slightly acidic fluid containing citric acid and seminalplasmin?
Which gland secretes a slightly acidic fluid containing citric acid and seminalplasmin?
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What is the role of the bulbourethral glands in the male reproductive system?
What is the role of the bulbourethral glands in the male reproductive system?
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Which part of the male urethra passes through the urogenital diaphragm?
Which part of the male urethra passes through the urogenital diaphragm?
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Which structure surrounds the external urethral orifice in males?
Which structure surrounds the external urethral orifice in males?
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What is responsible for penile erection in males?
What is responsible for penile erection in males?
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Which structure in the penis continues within the glans?
Which structure in the penis continues within the glans?
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What is the function of Sustentacular cells in the seminiferous tubules?
What is the function of Sustentacular cells in the seminiferous tubules?
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Where does spermatogenesis occur in the male reproductive system?
Where does spermatogenesis occur in the male reproductive system?
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What is the function of interstitial (Leydigs) cells in the male reproductive system?
What is the function of interstitial (Leydigs) cells in the male reproductive system?
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What is the role of primary spermatocytes in spermatogenesis?
What is the role of primary spermatocytes in spermatogenesis?
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Which cells are diploid and have 46 chromosomes during spermatogenesis?
Which cells are diploid and have 46 chromosomes during spermatogenesis?
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What characterizes a spermatozoa in terms of its structure?
What characterizes a spermatozoa in terms of its structure?
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Which structure in a sperm is responsible for creating a hole in the ovum during fertilization?
Which structure in a sperm is responsible for creating a hole in the ovum during fertilization?
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Study Notes
Male Reproductive System
- The male reproductive system consists of the testes, a system of ducts, accessory sex glands, and supporting structures like the scrotum and penis.
Testes
- The testes produce sperm and secrete hormones, such as testosterone.
- Each testis is an oval organ within the scrotum.
- The testes are covered anteriorly and laterally by a serous membrane called the tunica vaginalis.
- The tunica vaginalis has an outer parietal layer and an inner visceral layer.
Scrotum
- The scrotum is a skin-covered sac that provides the testes with a cooler environment than body temperature (about 2-3°Celsius below normal body temperature).
- The scrotum is homologous to the labia majora in the female.
- The scrotum has a midline ridge called the raphe.
- The dartos muscle is a layer of smooth muscle that is part of the wall of the scrotum.
Spermatic Cord
- The spermatic cord originates in the inguinal canal and consists of:
- Internal spermatic fascia from deep abdominal muscles.
- Cremaster muscle and cremasteric fascia, which form from extensions of internal oblique muscles and their aponeuroses.
- External spermatic fascia, which forms from the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle.
- Testicular artery, a branch of the abdominal aorta.
- Pampiniform plexus, a network of veins surrounding the testicular artery.
Duct System
- The duct system transports and stores sperm, assists in their maturation, and conveys them to the exterior.
- The duct system consists of:
- Rete testis
- Efferent ductules
- Epididymis
- Ductus deferens (vas deferens)
- Ejaculatory duct
- Urethra
Epididymis
- The epididymis is situated on the posterosuperior surface of the testes.
- The epididymis stores sperm cells and assists in their maturation.
- The epididymis contains a long, convoluted duct.
Ductus Deferens
- The ductus deferens is a thick-walled duct that propels sperm through smooth muscle contractions.
- The ductus deferens travels within the spermatic cord and enters the pelvic cavity through the inguinal canal.
- The ductus deferens enlarges to form the ampulla as it approaches the prostate gland.
Ejaculatory Duct
- The ejaculatory duct is formed by the union of the ampulla of the ductus deferens and the proximal portion of the seminal vesicle.
- Each ejaculatory duct is 1-2 cm long.
- The ejaculatory duct conducts sperm and seminal vesicle secretions to the prostatic urethra.
Urethra
- The urethra transports semen from both ejaculatory ducts to the outside of the body.
- The male urethra is subdivided into three regions:
- Prostatic urethra in the prostate gland.
- Membranous urethra through the urogenital diaphragm.
- Spongy urethra through the penis.
Accessory Glands
- Three glands secrete fluids to mix with sperm to create seminal fluid:
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate gland
- Bulbourethral glands
Seminal Vesicles
- The seminal vesicles are paired, elongated, hollow organs that secrete a viscous, whitish-yellow, alkaline fluid.
- The fluid contains fructose, prostaglandins, and bicarbonate, which nourish the sperm and facilitate their entry into the uterus.
Prostate Gland
- The prostate gland is located immediately inferior to the urinary bladder.
- The prostate gland secretes directly into the prostatic urethra.
- The prostatic secretion is slightly acidic and contains mucin, citric acid, seminalplasmin, and prostatic-specific antigen (PSA).
Bulbourethral Glands
- The bulbourethral glands are paired, pea-shaped glands that sit in the urogenital diaphragm on either side of the membranous urethra.
- The glands secrete clear, viscous mucin that lubricates the urethra prior to ejaculation.
Semen
- Seminal fluid from the three accessory glands combines with sperm from the testes to make up semen.
- When released during intercourse, semen is called ejaculate.
- Ejaculate normally measures about 3-5 ml in volume and contains 200-500 million sperm.
Penis
- The penis and scrotum form the external genitalia in males.
- The penis consists of:
- The root, forming the bulb and crura of the penis.
- The body (shaft), an elongated portion.
- The glans, which surrounds the external urethral orifice.
- The prepuce, the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis.
- The shaft of the penis contains three parallel, cylindrical erectile bodies:
- Paired corpora cavernosa, located dorsolaterally.
- A single corpus spongiosum, ventral and along the midline, surrounding the spongy urethra.
Erection and Ejaculation
- Erection occurs when the erectile bodies fill with blood, aided by parasympathetic innervation.
- Ejaculation is the expelling of semen from the penis, aided by rhythmic contraction of smooth muscle in the urethra and sympathetic innervation.
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Description
Explore the anatomy of the male reproductive system including the testes, duct system, accessory sex glands, scrotum, and penis. Learn about the functions and structures involved in sperm production and hormone secretion.
