30 Questions
Which organ in the male reproductive system contains the testicles that produce semen and sperm?
Scrotum
What is the function of the urethra in the male reproductive system?
To ejaculate sperm
What happens to the penis when a male becomes sexually aroused?
It becomes erect
Which muscles are responsible for the movement of the scrotum?
Cremaster and dartos muscles
What is the function of the glans in the male reproductive system?
To support the foreskin
Which blood vessels are responsible for supplying the penis?
Pudendal arteries
What is the main function of the scrotum in the male reproductive system?
To protect the testicles
What happens to the scrotum during times of lower temperatures?
It contracts and pulls closer to the body
What is the function of the dartos muscle in the scrotum?
To give it a wrinkled appearance
What is the function of the meatus in the male reproductive system?
To excrete urine
Which structure becomes the ductus deferens?
A portion of the mesonephric duct
When do the testes descend into the scrotal sac?
Between the sixth and 10th week
What causes the differentiation of the external genitalia in males?
Androgens secreted by the testes
What determines the genetic sex of an embryo?
The presence of a Y chromosome
What happens to testosterone secretion during puberty?
It increases
What causes the male secondary sexual characteristics to be manifested during puberty?
Increased gonadotropin secretion
What structures form the spermatic cord?
The testicular vessels and nerves
What is the function of the gubernaculum?
To descend the testis into the scrotum
When is the development of the prepubertal male reproductive system completed?
At birth
What can a failure in the descent of the testes cause?
Both indirect inguinal hernia and infantile hydrocoele
Which structure connects the scrotum with the abdomen or pelvic cavity?
The inguinal canal
What is the function of the testicles?
To synthesize and secrete androgens
Where are androgens synthesized in the male reproductive system?
In the Leydig cells
What happens to sperm cells in the epididymis?
They undergo maturation
What is the function of the vas deferens?
To carry spermatozoa to the ejaculatory duct
Which glands provide fluids that lubricate the duct system and nourish the sperm cells?
All of the above
What is the function of the prostate gland?
To produce seminal fluid
Which structures are masculinized by secretions of the testes?
All of the above
At what stage of development does the differentiation of the external genitalia occur?
10-12 weeks
What is the active agent within the embryonic reproductive organs that mediates the androgen effect?
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
Study Notes
Male Reproductive System
- The scrotum contains the testicles that produce semen and sperm.
Functions of Male Reproductive Organs
- The urethra is responsible for transporting semen and urine out of the body.
- The penis becomes engorged with blood and erect during sexual arousal.
- The cremaster muscle and dartos muscle are responsible for the movement of the scrotum.
Blood Supply and Nourishment
- The internal pudendal artery and vein are responsible for supplying the penis with blood.
- The scrotum provides a regulated temperature for sperm development and maintenance.
Development and Differentiation
- The gubernaculum guides the testes into the scrotal sac during fetal development.
- The descent of the testes into the scrotal sac typically occurs between the 7th and 8th months of fetal development.
- Androgens (male hormones) determine the genetic sex of an embryo and cause the differentiation of the external genitalia in males.
- Androgens also stimulate the development of the male reproductive system.
Hormonal Changes during Puberty
- Testosterone secretion increases during puberty, causing the development of male secondary sexual characteristics.
Sperm Development and Maturation
- The epididymis is a tube-like structure where sperm cells mature and are stored.
- The vas deferens, also known as the ductus deferens, is a muscular tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.
Accessory Glands and Structures
- The seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and urethral glands provide fluids that lubricate the duct system and nourish the sperm cells.
- The prostate gland produces fluids that make up semen.
Embryonic Development
- The differentiation of the external genitalia occurs around the 12th week of fetal development.
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is the active agent within the embryonic reproductive organs that mediates the androgen effect.
Test your knowledge of the male reproductive system and its functions with this quiz. Learn about the organs involved in human reproduction and how they contribute to the fertilization process.
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