Male Reproductive System Anatomy

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary muscular component of the bladder that is under parasympathetic control?

External urethral sphincter

Internal urethral sphincter

Levator ani muscle

Detrusor muscle (correct)

Which male structure is related to the bladder neck?

Urethra

Prostate (correct)

Rectum

Vas deferens

Which lymphatic nodes drain the inferior part of the bladder?

Cisterna chyli

Suprarenal nodes

Internal iliac nodes (correct)

External iliac nodes

Which statement about the ureteric orifices is correct?

Their slit-like shape prevents reflux of urine. Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical feature does the ductus deferens acquire during its descent from the testis?

Coverings of the spermatic cord Signup and view all the answers

What condition is caused by the tearing of the pubocervical fascia during childbirth?

Cystocele Signup and view all the answers

Which zone of the prostate is most commonly associated with prostatic cancer?

Peripheral zone Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the male urethra is associated with the internal urethral sphincter?

Preprostatic part Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is located posterior to the bladder and participates in forming the ejaculatory duct?

Seminal vesicle Signup and view all the answers

What type of nerves primarily provide vasomotor control to the testicular arteries?

Sympathetic efferents Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the internal urethral sphincter?

Controls involuntary urine flow Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical relationship does the female bladder have with the uterus?

Superior relationship Signup and view all the answers

Where does the prostatic urethra begin within the prostate?

At the base Signup and view all the answers

Which anatomical part directly receives sperm from the efferent ductules?

Head of the Epididymis Signup and view all the answers

Which blood vessels primarily supply the female bladder?

Vaginal arteries Signup and view all the answers

The structure known as the prostatic utricle is homologous to which female structure?

Uterus Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is located posteriorly to the male bladder?

Rectum Signup and view all the answers

Which type of afferent fibers transmit pain sensations from the testes back to the spinal cord?

Visceral afferents Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the blood supply to the ductus deferens?

Arises from the inferior vesical and middle rectal arteries Signup and view all the answers

How does the ductus deferens travel in relation to the ureter?

It crosses over the ureter Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the tunica albuginea in the testis?

To form the main structure of the testis by dividing it into lobules Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is responsible for the storage and maturation of sperm?

Epididymis Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the pampiniform plexus in the male reproductive system?

To facilitate heat exchange for testicular thermoregulation Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the male reproductive anatomy is referred to as the dead end recess of the tunica vaginalis?

Sinus epididymis Signup and view all the answers

Which blood vessel presents the main arterial supply to the testis?

Testicular artery Signup and view all the answers

The mediastinum testis serves which primary function?

Exit point for efferent ductules and entry for blood vessels Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the tunica vaginalis directly covers the testis?

Visceral layer Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical feature is formed by the inward projections of the tunica albuginea?

Septa Signup and view all the answers

Which duct is involved in the transport of sperm from the epididymis?

Ductus deferens Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of the rectovesical pouch in relation to other reproductive structures?

Between the bladder and rectum Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Male Reproductive System Gross Anatomy

Overview: The male reproductive system includes glands (testis, seminal vesicle, prostate, bulbourethral gland), gonads (testis), ducts (efferent ductules, epididymis, vas deferens, urethra), and penis.
Peritoneal Coverings: Continuous with abdominal peritoneum, covering parts of the bladder and seminal vesicles, extending posteriorly to the rectum, forming the rectovesical pouch.

Testicles

Tunica albuginea: A white, fibrous capsule surrounding seminiferous tubules and mediastinum testis.
Tunica vaginalis: Embryonic remnant of peritoneum, covering most of the testis' posterior and lateral aspects. Composed of two layers, parietal (external) and visceral (internal) that create a sinus epididymis.
Mediastinum testis: Area not covered by tunica vaginalis; site of entry for vasculature, nerves, lymphatics; and efferent ductules exit here.
Septa: Inward projections of tunica albuginea dividing the testis into lobules (200-300 lobules).
Seminiferous tubules: Located within the lobules, sites of sperm development; they converge to become straight tubules.
Rete testis: Convergence of straight tubules, located at the mediastinum testis.
Efferent ductules: Leave rete testis and enter the epididymis
Blood supply: Testicular artery from aorta; cremasteric artery from inferior epigastric; deferential artery from superior/inferior vesical arteries.
Venous drainage: Pampiniform plexus around testis → testicular veins.
Varicocele: Enlarged pampiniform plexus vessels; a common cause of male infertility.
Lymphatics: Travel with testicular vessels, draining to lumbar/aortic nodes.
Innervation: Derived from aortic and renal plexuses; sympathetic efferents cause engorgement during arousal; visceral afferents for pain.

Epididymis

Head: Receives efferent ductules, located over the superior pole of the testis.
Body: Houses convoluted ducts along the posterior border of the testis.
Tail: Continuous with ductus deferens, located at the inferior pole of the testis.

Vas Deferens

Structure: Thick smooth muscle walls; small lumen; acquires spermatic cord coverings during descent. Expands to form ampulla posterior to the bladder, joining seminal vesicle to form ejaculatory duct.

Ductus (Vas) Deferens

Course: Travels superiorly, behind the bladder, and crosses over the ureter before entering the deep inguinal ring.
Seminal Vesicle & Ejaculatory Duct:
Seminal vesicle: Tightly coiled tube resembling the ampulla of ductus, lateral to the ampulla; separated from rectum by rectovesical pouch & septum.

Prostate

Base: Superior portion in contact with the bladder.
Apex: Inferior portion in contact with the UGD.
Posterior surface: Related to seminal vesicle, ductus deferens ampulla and rectum.
Anterior surface: Related to pubis and puboprostatic ligaments.
Zones: Anterior (non-glandular), Transitional (prone to benign prostatic hypertrophy), Peripheral (high incidence of prostatic cancer), Central (surrounds ejaculatory ducts).

Ejaculatory Duct

Formation: Convergence of duct of seminal vesicle and ductus; enters the posterior surface of the prostate and opens into the posterior wall of the prostatic urethra.

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Description

This quiz covers the gross anatomy of the male reproductive system, including the various glands, ducts, and structural features such as the tunica albuginea and tunica vaginalis. It aims to test your understanding of the anatomy and function of the testicles and associated structures. Prepare to delve into the intricacies of male reproductive anatomy.