Reproductive

• Testes


  Site of spermatogenesis
• Epididymis


  Site of sperm maturation
• Vas deferens


  Transports sperm to urethra
• Seminal vesicles


  Secrete fluid to nourish sperm
• Prostate gland


  Secretes fluid to balance pH
• Cowper glands (bulbourethral)


  Secrete alkaline mucus
• Penis


  Site of ejaculation of semen
• Male hormones


  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH)
  • Testosterone
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)


  Initiates spermatogenesis
• Luteinizing hormone (LH)


  Stimulates testosterone production
• Testosterone


  Maturation of sperm, sex characteristics, protein metabolism, muscle development
• Epispadias


  Urethral opening on dorsal or upper surface of the penis
• Hypospadias


  Urethral opening on ventral surface (underside) of the penis
• Either epispadias or hypospadias may result in incontinence or infection
• Treatment for epispadias or hypospadias is surgical reconstruction
• Disorders of the testes and scrotum

  • Cryptorchidism
  • Hydrocele
  • Spermatocele
  • Varicocele
• Cryptorchidism


  Testis fails to descend into scrotum properly
• Reason for maldescent of testis in cryptorchidism is not fully understood
• Ectopic testis


  Testis positioned outside of scrotum
• Cryptorchidism can cause degeneration of seminiferous tubules and impaired spermatogenesis
• Risk of testicular cancer is significantly increased if cryptorchidism is not treated by age 5 years
• Hydrocele


  Excessive fluid collects in space between layers of the tunica vaginalis of the scrotum
• Hydrocele may occur as a congenital defect in newborns or be acquired due to injury, infection, or tumor
• Hydrocele may compromise blood supply or lymph drainage in the testes
• Spermatocele


  Cyst containing fluid and sperm that develops between the testis and the epididymis
• Spermatocele may be related to a developmental abnormality
• Treatment for spermatocele is surgical removal
• Varicocele


  A dilated vein in the spermatic cord
• Lack of valves in varicocele allows backflow in veins, leading to increased pressure and dilation
• Varicocele causes impaired blood flow to testes and decreased spermatogenesis
• Treatment for varicocele is surgery
• Torsion of the testes


  Testes rotate on spermatic cord, compressing arteries and veins
• Ischemia


  Develops when testes are twisted, causing the scrotum to swell
• Testis may be infarcted (die) if torsion is not reduced
• Torsion of the testes can occur spontaneously or following trauma
• Torsion of the testes is treated manually and surgically
• Inflammation and infections


  • Prostatitis
  • Balanitis
• Prostatitis


  Infection or inflammation of the prostate gland
• Acute bacterial prostatitis


  Caused primarily by Escherichia coli and sometimes by Pseudomonas, Proteus, or Streptococcus faecalis
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis


  Related to repeated infection by E. coli