PhysiologyLesson 1 of 3 in the course The Reproductive System

Male Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology: Sperm, Erection, and Hormonal Control

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces the function and organization of the testicular reproductive system, with emphasis on the scrotum and the internal structure of the testes. Understanding these structures helps explain how sperm production is protected and supported.

Biological sex refers to characteristics such as chromosomes, hormones, reproductive organs, and other physical traits. Gender identity is a person’s internal sense of gender; it does not always correspond to biological sex or sex assigned at birth. In this unit, male and female refer to typical reproductive anatomy associated with XY and XX individuals, respectively.

All flashcards

Blood–testis barrier
Tight junctions between Sertoli cells that limit bloodborne substances reaching developing germ cells and help prevent autoimmune reactions.
Cryptorchidism
Failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum before birth.
Corpus spongiosum
The smaller erectile column that surrounds the penile urethra.
Bulbourethral glands
Paired glands that release pre-ejaculatory fluid to lubricate the urethra.
Andropause
A term for symptoms associated with age-related decline in testosterone; it has no single clear onset.

Quiz questions

  1. What occurs during meiosis II in sperm development?Answer: Sister chromatids separate, producing four haploid spermatids across the two secondary spermatocytes.
  2. What happens to sperm as they pass through the epididymis?Answer: They mature, acquire the ability to move independently, and are stored in its tail.
  3. What is a major contribution of the seminal vesicles to semen?Answer: They provide about 60 percent of semen volume and secrete fructose-rich fluid.
  4. Which changes help maintain a penile erection?Answer: Nitric oxide relaxes arterial smooth muscle, increasing inflow as expanding tissue compresses venous outflow.
  5. Which pituitary hormone stimulates testosterone production by Leydig cells?Answer: Luteinizing hormone binds to Leydig-cell receptors and stimulates testosterone secretion.

Based on Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble, Peter DeSaix (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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