Questions and Answers
What is the normal shape and texture of testes?
Firm, smooth, and egg-shaped.
What is gynecology the study of?
What structures are included in the male internal reproductive organs?
The urethra serves as an outlet for both the urinary and reproductive tracts in men.
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How long is the epididymis?
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The _____ is responsible for conducting sperm from the tubule to the vas deferens.
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What happens to the scrotum in very cold weather?
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Sperm are capable of fertilization as they pass through the epididymis.
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How long does it take for sperm to travel the length of the epididymis?
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What stimulates penile erection?
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Study Notes
Male Reproductive System Overview
- Normal testes are firm, smooth, egg-shaped, and contained within a protective white fibrous capsule.
- Epididymis serves as a tube carrying sperm away from the testes and can be palpated as a firm swelling on the top part of the testes.
- The penis consists of three cylindrical masses of erectile tissue: two corpus cavernosa and one corpus spongiosum, allowing dual functionality for urinary and reproductive tracts.
Blood Flow and Erection Mechanism
- Sexual excitement triggers the release of nitric oxide from blood vessel endothelium, resulting in vasodilation.
- Increased blood flow engorges the penile arteries, inducing an erection as the ischiocavernosus muscle at the base contracts, trapping blood in erectile tissues.
- The penile artery, branching from the pudendal artery, is primarily responsible for blood supply during erection.
- Erection is stimulated by parasympathetic nerve innervation.
Male Internal Structures
- Key internal reproductive organs include the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory ducts, prostate gland, urethra, and bulbourethral glands.
- The epididymis is a tightly coiled tube leading from the seminiferous tubules of each testis, responsible for sperm maturation and transportation.
Male External Structures
- The scrotum is a muscular, skin-covered pouch that supports and regulates the temperature of the testes.
- It contracts in cold weather to elevate testes towards the body and relaxes in heat or fever to lower them, optimizing sperm viability.
Sperm Development and Maturity
- Sperm are initially immobile and stored in the epididymis. It takes about 12 to 20 days for sperm to travel through its length and 64 days to achieve full maturity.
- Aspermia (absence of sperm) and oligospermia (less than 20 million sperm/mL) are significant male reproductive health issues that may not have immediate remedies.
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Description
Explore the anatomy and physiology of the male reproductive system in this comprehensive quiz. From the structure and function of the testes to the mechanisms of erection, this quiz covers key internal structures and blood flow dynamics. Test your knowledge and understanding of male reproductive health.
