Gonads are the
Primary sex organs
What are examples of Gonads?
- Testes
- Ovaries
Where are the Testes located?
Outside of the body in the scrotum
Describe the Ovaries
Paired internally, either side of the uterus
What is the function of Gametes?
They produce gametes and secrete steroid sex hormones
What are the steroid sex hormones?
- Testosterone
- Estrogen
What is the function of the steroid sex hormones?
- They allow for development of gametes
- Maintain the reproductive system
What is the function of Accessory Reproductive Organs?
- Help the development of gametes
- Deliver gametes from the male reproductive system to the female reproductive system
What are examples of the Accessory Reproductive Organs?
- Ducts
- Glands
- External genitalia
A permissive hormonal relationship is when there needs to be
An hormone needed for another one to work
What is the Scrotum?
Bag of skin and fascia houses the Testes
What is required in order for testes to maintain adequate sperm production?
Testes need to be about 3˚ below core body temperature
The Scrotum is thermoregulated by
- Dartos Muscle
- Cremaster Muscle
What is the function of the Dartos Muscle?
It wrinkles skin and pulls scrotum close to body
What is the function of the Cremaster Muscle?
It elevates the testes and brings closer to body
Each testes is housed in
Its own compartment
The Penis is responsible for
Getting sperm from the male reproductive tract to the female reproductive tract
What in the penis gets engorged with blood?
The erectile tissue
The erectile tissue of the penis causes for
It to stiffen and enlarge
What is the Corpus Cavernosum?
Pair of erectile tissues of the penis
The Corpus Cavernosum is surrounded by
Connective tissue
The Corpus Spongiosum is what surrounds the
Urethra
The Testes in the scrotum are surrounded by
Connective Tissue
What are the connective tissues that surround the testes?
- Tunica vaginalis
- Tunica Albuginea
What produces sperm?
The Seminiferous Tubules
In order to reach the epididymis, the sperm in the tubules gets pushed into
The lumen
What are the Specialized Cells found within the Tubules?
- Interstitial endocrine cells
- Sustentocytes
- Spermatogenic Cells
- Myoid Cells
What is the function of the Interstitial endocrine cells?
Produce testosterone and sex hormones
What are the Sustentocytes?
Supporting cells which assist in sperm production
What are the Spermatogenic Cells?
Stem cells that eventually become sperm
The Spermatogenic Cells line
Each tubule
Myoid Cells are responsible for
Contracting and pushing sperm and fluid from the lumen to the epididymis
What is the function of the Duct System?
Gets sperm from testes out of the body through urethra
After getting developed in the testes, the sperm is stored in the
Epididymis, where it finishes maturing
Which duct runs into the urethra?
Vas deferens (ejaculatory duct)
The duct system is made up of
- Epididymis
- Vas deferens
- Urethra
- Ejaculatory Duct
What happens if sperm does not leave the Epididymis?
Phagocytic cells in the epididymis eat the old sperm
Ejactulation is when
Sperm leaves epididymis via Vas Deferens
The Vas Deferens loops around and runs into
Ejaculatory duct and then later the Urethra
During fetal development, where are the testes?
In the abdominal cavity
When do the testes get pulled down?
Towards the end of the trimester
The Ejaculatory Duct is the short segment where
Seminal fluid gets added to the sperm
What are the components of the Gland System?
- Seminal Gland
- Prostate Gland
- Bulbo-urethral Gland
- Accessory Glands