Male reproductive system

• Point and shoot:

  • Point = erection = parasympathetic
  • Shoot = ejaculation = sympathetic
• Urethra is within the corpus spongiosum
• End of the penis = glans
• Top of penis = dorsal surface

  Underside of penis = ventral surface
• Abnormal urethral openings:

  ·       Hypospadias= urethra opening on ventral aspect of penis

  ·       Epispadias= urethra opening on dorsal aspect of the penis
• • Sperm is stored in the epididymis
  • Travels via the ductus (vas) deferens
  • Ductus deferens passes through the inguinal canal
  • Fluid from the bladder (fructose) enters the ductus deferens
  • Joins the seminal vesicle and then enters the prostate
  • Seminal vesicle provides 60% of fluid found in sperm
• Zones of the prostate:

  • Central zone - enlargement tends to be benign
  • Peripheral zone - enlargement tends to be cancerous
• Prostate secretes own fluid into semen - proteolytic enzymes - prostate specific antigen
• The testes are responsible for sperm production and hormone synthesis

  Supplied by the paired testicular arteries from the abdominal aorta at L2
• Left testicular vein drains into the left renal artery

  Right testicular vein drains directly into the inferior vena cava
• The pampiniform plexus is a network of many small veins found in the male spermatic cord.

  Dilation of the plexus = varicocele

  More common on the left as the left testicular vein is longer and drains into the left renal vein at an angle

  Renal cancer can present with a varicocele
• Phymosis:

  • Cannot retract foreskin
  • Infection
  • Malignancy
  • Foreskin balloons when trying to urinate
• Paraphymosis:

  • Strangulated penis
  • Can use concentrated glucose to act as a diuretic to release fluid
  • Dorsal split
  • Will need planned circumcision