Testes + Duct System

Question 1

male gonads (main organ of male reproductive system)

Answer 1

• paired testes

- begin development inside abdominal cavity, then descend to be suspended in fascia sacs of scrotum

Question 2

testes main functions (2)

Answer 2

1. produce sperm

2. produce testosterone

Question 3

lobules of testes

Answer 3

• each testis contains hundreds of lobules

- each lobule contains a few seminiferous tubules

Question 4

seminiferous tubules

Answer 4

• located within lobules of each testis

- where sperm production occurs

Question 5

sterility

Answer 5

• inability to produce gametes
• can be caused by testes not descending bc abdominal cavity is too hot for sperm production (requires lower temp than body temp)

Question 6

duct system functions (2)

Answer 6

• provides space for sperm to mature

- expels them from body at appropriate time

Question 7

duct system consists of (4)

Answer 7

1. epididymis
2. vas deferens
3. ejaculatory duct
4. urethra

Question 8

testosterone production

Answer 8

• produced by interstitial cells of connective tissues of testes
• begins at puberty in response to ant pit gland releasing FSH + LH

Question 9

epididymis

Answer 9

• where sperm travel from testes
• tightly coiled tubules that extend from superior end of testes to posterior lateral side of testes
• sperm mature here for ~20 days until can swim
• once sperm mature, propelled via muscular contractions to the vas deferense

Question 10

vas deferens

Answer 10

• contained within spermatic cord, held in place by spermatic fascia
• travels superiorly thru inguinal canal, then rises to follow pelvis, turns posteriorly over bladder to base of prostrate gland
• during arousal, its smooth muscles contract to push sperm into the urethra

Question 11

inguinal canal

Answer 11

opening into the anterior abdominal wall

Question 12

spermatic fascia

Answer 12

surrounds nerves + blood vessels, holds vas deferens in place

Question 13

ejaculatory duct

Answer 13

• formed at base of prostate when seminal vesicle duct + vas deferens combine
• connects with urethra so that sperm can exit body

Question 14

urethra

Answer 14

• travels from bladder via penis to external origic
• carries urine and sperm to outside of body but NOT AT THE SAME TIME
• 3 regions

Question 15

3 regions of urethra

Answer 15

1. prostatic urethra (surrounded by prostate)
2. membranous urethra (from prostate to penis)
3. spongy urethra (through penis to external orifice)

Question 16

why urine + sperm can’t mix

Answer 16

urine is acidic, acidity is detrimental to sperm

Question 17

vasectomy

Answer 17

• cutting & tying off of vas deferens to cause permanent sterility
• prevents sperm from exiting body (still ejaculate semen)
• male secondary characteristics stay intact (testosterone still produced)

Question 18

testosterone functions (2)

Answer 18

• stimulates growth

- stimulates male secondary sex characteristics