MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Function
1. Produce and release sperm
2. Secretes testosterone which is responsible for producing secondary sex characteristics and proper development of the testes, prostate gland and seminal vesicles
Anatomy
Testes - descend into scrotum before birth
Scrotum - sac enclosing male gonads (testes); cooler temperature required for proper sperm cell development and maturation (spermatogenesis)
Seminiferous tubules - parenchymal tissue (performs essential work), i.e., produce sperm
Stromal tissue - lies between parenchymal tissue; supportive structures, e.g., blood vessels, connective tissue; produce testosterone
Perineum - area between scrotum and anus
Epididymis - large tube at upper part and side of each testis. Sperm are temporarily stored and become motile.
Vas deferens - narrow tube beginning at epididymis and carrying sperm into pelvic cavity, loop around bladder and joins urethra.
Glands
Seminal vesicles - 2 glands at base of bladder that secrete a thick fluid comprising most of the semen; nourishment for sperm. SEMEN - fluid containing sperm.
Prostate - just below bladder nearly encircling proximal portion of the urethra. Secretes a fluid the stimulates motility of the sperm
Cowper's - just below bladder, adds fluid
Urethra/penis - carries sperm to outside of body
PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
TESTES
CARCINOMA OF THE TESTES - RARE BUT MOST COMMON CANCER FOR MALES 20 - 35
1. SEMINOMA - MOST COMMON, INCREASED SIZE OF TESTES; NO METASTASIS
2. EMBRYONAL CARCINOMA - MORE AGGRESSIVE AND LETHAL; 1-2 YEAR PROGNOSIS
3. TERATOMA - DIFFERENT KINDS OF TISSUE
CRYPTORCHISM - UNDESCENDED TESTICLES; INCREASED RISK OF STERILITY AND TESTICULAR CANCER
HYDROCELE - HERNIA FROM FLUID-FILLED SAC; MAY REQUIRE SURGERY
PROSTATE GLAND
CARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE - MOST COMMON IN MEN 50+, HARD TUMOR FELT ON RECTAL EXAM; GOOD EARLY PROGNOSIS; METATASIS TO LYMPH, BONES, LIVER, LUNGS, ETC.
PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA - MOST COMMON PROSTATIC DISEASE. SIMILAR SYMPTOMS TO PROSTATIC CANCER INCLUDE OLIGURIA, DYSURIA, RETENTION, HEMATURIA, OBSTRUCTION FROM PROSTATOMEGALY.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STD)
ETIOLOGY SYMPTOMS
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CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS MALE - DYSURIA, URETHRAL DISCHAGE
(BACTERIA) FEMALE - ASYMPTOMATIC; ENDOCERVICAL DISCHARGE
GONORRHEA MALE - DYSURIA, MUCOPURULENT DISCHARGE
FEMALE - ASYMPTOMATIC; PAIN, URETHRAL/VAGINAL DISCHARGE, PID
HERPES GENITALIS SMALL, WATERY BLISTER(S) ON/NEAR GENITALS; ASYMPTOMATIC FOR SOME
SYPHILIS ULCER (CHANCRE), LYMPHADENOPATHY
TRICHOMONIASIS MORE COMMON IN WOMEN; VAGINITIS, URETHRITIS, CYSTITIS, VAGINAL DISCHARGE
LABORATORY TESTS
SEMEN ANALYSIS - TEST FOR FERTILITY AND DETERMINE EFFECTIVENESS OF VASECTOMY
1. CASTRATION - ORCHIECTOMY (MALES) OR OOPHORECTOMY (FEMALES)
2. TURP - REMOVE PORTIONS OF PROSTATE GLAND USING ELECTROCAUTERY OR CRYO TECHNIQUES BY PASSING AN ENDOSCOPE THROUGH A CATHETER INTO THE URETHRA
3. VASECTOMY - MALE STERILIZATION
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