Anatomy of the Male Reproductive Tract

Question 1

what is the spongy urethra enclosed in in the penis

Answer 1

corpus spongiosum

Question 2

what is the purpose of the internal urethral sphincter

Answer 2

prevent retrograde ejaculation

formed by teh detrusor muscle around the internal urethral orifice

Question 3

where do the testes originate

Answer 3

on the posterior wall of teh abdominal cavity

Question 4

what is the gubernaculum

Answer 4

a fibrous cord that attaches the gonads to the future scrotum/labia and guides their descent during embryological development

Question 5

outline the descent of the testes - starting with the development of the gubernaculum

Answer 5

• gubernaculum attaches testes to scrotum
• testes descend and enter the scrotum through the inguinal canal
• an outpocketing of of peritoneum (the processes vaginalis) comes down with the gubernaculum, and takes with it 3 layers of abdominal wall muscle - transversalis fascia, internal and external oblique
• these form the layers of the spermatic cord: internal spermatic fascia, cremasteric fascia and external; respectively
• the testicle follows down to the scrotum

Question 6

what happens to the processus vaginalis after the testes descend

Answer 6

proximal end disappears

distal end becomes the tunica vaginalis around the teste

Question 7

what are the two layers of tunica vaginalis

Answer 7

parietal layer and visceral layer that covers the epidydmis and the testis

Question 8

where is the fluid contained in hydrocele

Answer 8

inbetween th 2 layers of tunica vaginalis

Question 9

why are the testis kept outside the body

Answer 9

temperature is 1 degree below core temperature - better for spermatogenesis

Question 10

whichmuscle contracts teh testis in cold conditions

Answer 10

dartos muscle - smooth muscle

Question 11

where do the right and left testicular veins drain

Answer 11

right drains to IVC, left drains into left renal vein then to IVC

Question 12

at what vertebral level do the gonadal arteries come off the aorta

Answer 12

L2

Question 13

what does the seminal gland produce

Answer 13

seminal fluid

Question 14

what sugar does the seminal fluid contain, and why

Answer 14

fructose, to provide sperm with energy (have mitochondria in their tail)

Question 15

what is the function of the bulbourethral gland (Cowper’s gland)

Answer 15

mucus secretion, lubrictae urethra and neutralise acidity

Question 16

what is the ejaculatory duct formed from

Answer 16

vas deferens and duct from seminal gland

Question 17

where does the ejaculatory duct open into

Answer 17

prostatic urethra

Question 18

how do glandular secretions from the prostate drain into the prostatic urethra

Answer 18

through prostatic ducts

Question 19

which muscle does the inferior aspect of the prostate come into contact with

Answer 19

levator ani

Question 20

is the anatomical position of the penis erect or not?

Answer 20

erect

Question 21

Answer 21

Question 22

what passes throguh the corpus spongiosum

Answer 22

spongy urethra, expands distally to form the glans penis

Question 23

what does the corpus cavernosum transmit

Answer 23

deep arteries of the penis

Question 24

outline the blood supply to the penis

Answer 24

deep arteries of the penis - branches from internal pudendal artery - internal iliac artery

Question 25

outline the blood supply to the scrotum

Answer 25

from internal pudendal artery (internal iliac a) and external iliac artery

Question 26

where does lymph from the scrotum and penis drain to

Answer 26

superficial inguinal nodes

Question 27

where does lymph from the testes drain to

Answer 27

lumbar nodes around abdominal aorta