Male Reproductive Anatomy

Overview

Introduction

• Ejaculatory Pathway of Sperm (“SEVEn UP”) 
  • Seminiferous tubules
  • Epididymis
  • Vas deferens
  • Ejaculatory ducts
  • nothing
  • Urethra
• Penis

Venous Drainage

• Venous drainage
  • left testicular vein → left renal vein → inferior vena cava (IVC)
  • right testicular vein → inferior vena cava (IVC)
• Pampiniform venous plexus
  • veins emerging from testis and epididymis form pampiniform venous plexus
  • veins of each pampiniform plexus converge superiorly
    • form left and right testicular veins
  • venous plexus may become dilated (varicose) and tortuous, producing a varicocele
    • varicocele occurs predominantly on the left side  
      • left testicular vein enters left renal vein at approximately a 90 degree angle 
• increased susceptibility to obstruction or reversal of flow

Lymphatic Drainage

• Lymphatic drainage
  • lumbar (para-aortic) lymph nodes
    • testes
  • superficial inguinal lymph nodes
    • scrotum