Question | Answer |
Primary Function of Reproductive System | perpetuate the species, reproduction and meiosis produces sex cells |
Reproduction | process by which genetic material is passed from one generation to the next |
Meiosis | produces sex cells |
Gonads | the primary sex organs; produce gametes, or sex cells, and sex hormones |
Testes | Male Gonads; produce sperm and male sex hormones |
Sperm | Male Gametes |
Ovaries "egg sacs" | Female Gonads |
Ova (eggs) | Female Gamates |
Main Structures of Male Reproductive System | Testes
Reproductive ducts
Accessory reproductive glands
Supporting structures (scrotum, penis, spermatic cord) |
Accessory glands | produce secretions |
Accessory organs | scrotum |
Penis | transporting and supporting structure |
Scrotum | Pouch of skin, sac-like structure
Outpouching of abdominal wall
Supports the testes
Divided internally by a septum 2 sacs
Each sac contains a testis, epididymis, and the lower part of a spermatic cord.
Scrotal sac elevates and descends |
The Testes | 2 testes separated by a longitudinal median septum; Contained in scrotum; Cremaster and dartos muscles flex (pulling scrotum towards midline) or relax to regulate testicular temperature; testes divided into lobules; Tunica albuginea: capsule covering |
Testicular lobules | Convoluted seminiferous tubules: site of spermatogenesis (spermatozoa production)
Rete testis and efferent ductules: sperm maturation
Sperm leaves the testes via the epididymis. |
Spermatogenesis | Spermatogonia > primary spermatocytes > secondary spermatocytes > spermatids > spermatozoa |
Sertoli cells | supply sperm cells with nutrients |
Interstitial cells of Leydig | produce testosterone |
The anatomy of spermatozoa | 300 million produced daily; Anatomy
Head: contains genetic material and acrosome; Acrosome has enzymes that aid sperm in penetrating covering of ovum; Middle piece: contains mitochondria; Tail: propels sperm |
The Functions of Testosterone | Controls development, growth, and maintenance of male sex organs
Stimulates muscle buildup and bone development
Causes sperm maturation
Causes thyroid cartilage enlargement
Produces body hair patterns |
The Ducts of the System | Seminiferous tubules, Rete testis, Ductus epididymis, Vas deferens, Urethra |
Seminiferous tubules | transport sperm cells |
Rete testis | network of ducts |
Ductus epididymis | site of sperm cell maturation; Coiled tube, about 20 feet (or 6-6.5 meters); Sperm spends about 3 weeks maturing here; Stores sperm (from efferent ductules) before ejaculation |
Epididymis | located on posterior border of testis |
Vas deferens | Enclosed in spermatic duct (until it reaches the abdominal cavity)
Spermatic cord includes blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves |
Ejaculatory duct | ejects spermatozoa into urethra |
Urethra | terminal duct; Prostatic urethra, cavernous urethra, urethral orifice |
The Accessory Glands | Secrete additives to strengthen and protect sperm, and assist in sperm motility; Seminal Vesicles, Prostate Gland, Bulbourethral Glands |
Seminal vesicles | Located beneath the bladder
Produce viscous part of semen (yellow, sticky and alkaline substance)
Seminal vesicles + vas deferens = ejaculatory duct |
Prostate gland | Surrounds the urethra at the base of the bladder
Produces fluid part of semen (thin, milky, alkaline substance)
One gland with many small glands and muscle fibers enclosed in a dense connective tissue. |
Bulbourethral glands | Aka Cowper glands
Pea size, located inferior to the prostate
Produce mucus and secrete it into the urethra prior to ejaculation
Coats urethral lining to protect sperm |
Semen | Mixture of sperm cells and secretions
Provides energy to the sperm via fructose
Neutralizes acidity of vagina
Acts as a transport medium
Contains enzymes that activate sperm
Average volume is 2.5 to 6 mL
Seminalplasmin: destroys certain bacteria |
Seminalplasmin | destroys certain bacteria |
The Penis | Delivers spermatozoa to female reproductive tract
3 cylindrical masses of erectile tissue
Two corpora cavernosa laterally
Corpus spongiosum medially
distal portion (end of shaft) = glans penis |
Prepuce | loose skin covering glans penis; Aka foreskin |
Circumcision | removal of prepuce |
The urethral opening, or external meatus, ... | is used to excrete both urine and seminal fluid |
The Penis | Contains masses of spongy tissue with sinuses
Sinuses fill with blood resulting in erection
Compress veins so blood is retained
Help penis penetrate vagina
During ejaculation, sphincter at base of urinary bladder is closed |
Male Reproductive System Overview | Functions of male reproductive system
Produce, sustain, and transport sperm
Propel sperm during sexual intercourse
Copulation
Produce testosterone |
Phimosis | Tightness of the foreskin (prepuce) of the penis that prevents it from being pulled back
Opening of the foreskin narrows due to the tightness and may cause some difficulty with urination |
Epispadias | Congenital defect in which urethra opens on the upper side of the penis at some point near the glans |
Hydrocele | Accumulation of fluid in any sac-like cavity or duct
Particularly the scrotal sac or along the spermatic cord |
Hypospadias | Congenital defect in which the urethra opens on the underside of the penis instead of at the end |
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) | Benign enlargement of prostate gland
Creates pressure on upper part of urethra or neck of the bladder, causing obstruction of flow of urine |
BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy) | the most common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which are divided into storage, voiding, and symptoms which occur after urination |
Pathophysiology of BPH | an increase of the enzymes aromatase and 5-alpha reductase. |
Diagnosis of BPH | a history of LUTS, a digital rectal exam, and exclusion of other cause, Blood tests are often performed to rule out prostatic malignancy |
Management BPH | lifestyle, voiding position, medications, self-catheterization, surgery |
Carcinoma of the Prostate | Malignant growth within prostate gland; Creates pressure on upper part of urethra; The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes; diagnose with biopsy |
Balanitis | Inflammation of glans penis and mucous membrane beneath it |
Anorchism | Absence of one or both testicles |
Carcinoma of the Testes | Malignant tumor of testicle that appears as a painless lump
Also called testicular cancer |
Cryptorchidism | Condition of undescended testicle(s)
Absence of one or both testicles from scrotum |
Impotence | Inability of a male to achieve or sustain an erection of the penis |
Inguinal Hernia | Protrusion of a part of the intestine through a weakened spot in the muscles and membranes of inguinal region of the abdomen
Intestine pushes into, and sometimes fills, the entire scrotal sac in the male |
Orchitis | Inflammation of the testes due to a virus, bacterial infection, or injury
Condition may affect one or both testes
Typically results from the mumps virus |
Premature Ejaculation | Discharge of seminal fluid prior to complete erection of the penis or immediately after the penis has been introduced into the vaginal canal |
Prostatitis | Inflammation of the prostate gland
May be acute or chronic
May be due to bacterial invasion |
Varicocele | Abnormal dilation of the veins of the spermatic cord leading to the testicle |
AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) | Deadly virus that destroys the body’s immune system by invading the helper T lymphocytes (T cells) |
AIDS Symptoms | Acute infection
influenza-like illness or a mononucleosis-like illness 2–4 weeks post exposure while others have no significant symptoms |
Kaposi's sarcoma | the most common cancer occurring in 10 to 20% of people with HIV |
AIDS Transmission | sexual contact
significant exposure to infected body fluids or tissues
from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding (known as vertical transmission) |
Chlamydia | Sexually transmitted bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the cervix in women and inflammation of the urethra and the epididymis in men |
Genital Herpes | Highly contagious viral infection of the male and female genitalia, caused by herpes simplex virus (usually HSV-2)
Aka venereal herpes
Differs from other sexually transmitted diseases in that it can recur spontaneously once the virus has been acquired |
Genital Warts | Small, cauliflower-like, fleshy growths usually seen along the penis in the male and in or near the vagina in women
Caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)
Transmitted from person to person through sexual intercourse |
Gonorrhea | Sexually transmitted bacterial infection of the mucous membrane of the genital tract in men and women, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Spread by sexual intercourse with an infected partner
Can be passed from mother to baby during the birth process |
Syphilis | Sexually transmitted disease characterized by lesions that may involve any organ or tissue
Spread by sexual intercourse with an infected partner
If left untreated, disease passes through three stages, each with characteristic signs and symptoms |
Primary syphilis (Chancre) | Characterized by appearance of a small, painless, red pustule on the skin or mucous membrane
Develops on the penis and the labia of the vagina
Appears w/in 10 days to a few weeks after exposure
Can be treated effectively with penicillin G |
Secondary syphilis | Occurs approximately two months later if primary phase is left untreated
Dominant sign is nonitching rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
May also experience headache, sore throat, fever, malaise, anorexia, and bone and joint pain |
Secondary syphilis | Disease is still contagious during second stage
Can be treated effectively with penicillin
Dormant period follows secondary stage (if left untreated)
For 5 to 20 years before reappearing in its final stage |
Tertiary syphilis | Final and most serious stage of the untreated disease
Lesions have invaded body organs and systems
Lesions are not reversible, do not respond to treatment with penicillin and can lead to life-threatening disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and heart |
Trichomoniasis | Sexually transmitted protozoal infection of the vagina, urethra, or prostate
Causative organism is Trichomonas vaginalis
Women will experience itching and burning, and a strong-smelling vaginal discharge that is greenish-yellow |
Protozoa | diverse group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms |
Castration | Surgical removal of the testicles in the male (or the ovaries in the female)
Known as an orchidectomy or orchiectomy in the male
Known as an oophorectomy in the female |
Circumcision | Surgical procedure in which the foreskin (prepuce) of the penis is removed
Adult male circumcision much less common and more complicated |
Cystoscopy | Process of visualizing the urinary tract through a cystoscope that has been inserted in the urethra |
FTA-ABS Test | Fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test
Serological test for syphilis (performed on blood serum) |
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) | Radiographic procedure provides visual of the entire urinary tract; Contrast dye is injected and X-rays are taken as the medium is cleared from the blood by the glomerular filtration of the kidney; Aka intravenous pyelography or excretory urogram |
Orchidectomy | Surgical removal of a testicle
Also called orchiectomy |
Orchidopexy | Surgical fixation of a testicle
Also called orchiopexy |
Radical prostatectomy | Surgical removal of the entire prostate gland as a treatment for cancer |
Semen analysis | Assessment of a sample of semen for volume, viscosity, sperm count, sperm motility, and percentage of any abnormal sperm |
Suprapubic prostatectomy | Surgical removal of the prostate gland by making an incision into the abdominal wall, just above the pubis |
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR or TURP) | Surgical removal of prostate gland by inserting a resectoscope through urethra and into bladder to remove small pieces of tissue from prostate |
Vasectomy | Surgical cutting and tying of the vas deferens to prevent passage of sperm, consequently preventing pregnancy
Male sterilization |
VDRL test | Serological test for syphilis; widely used to test for primary and secondary syphilis
Performed on blood serum
VDRL = Venereal Disease Research Laboratory |
AIDS Stage 0 | the time between a negative or indeterminate HIV test followed less than 180 days by a positive test |
AIDS Stage 1 | CD4 count ≥ 500 cells/µl and no AIDS defining conditions |
AIDS Stage 2 | CD4 count 200 to 500 cells/µl and no AIDS defining conditions |
AIDS Stage 3 | CD4 count ≤ 200 cells/µl or AIDS defining conditions |
Wet mount; wet prep | Microscopic examination of fresh vaginal or male urethral secretions to test for presence of living organisms |