In this lecture on the male reproductive system, Professor Diamond begins by covering the primary sex organ (the gonad or testis). She discusses its function in producing sperm and testosterone, location within the male body, and the reason it is enclosed in a separate pouch called the scrotum (temperature regulation by the eremasteric muscle). Then she talks about the source of sperm, structure of the testis, in particular, the lobules, seminiferous tubules and the formation of sperm (spermatogenesis), and how it is designed to carry out its function. Specific histology include: germinal epithelium, spermatogonium (the stem cell), spermatocytes and the construction and motion of the spermatozoa (sperm). After this she talks about the regeneration of sperm by the sustentacular, or sertoli, cells, how they create the testis-blood-barrier (also found in the brain), and how they regulate the amount of testosterone. On this note Professor Diamond reviews the role of testosterone during puberty and the physiological changes that occur during this time period. From here, Professor Diamond describes the duct system and how the sperm, once created, travel through the male body. The duct system is comprised of the vas deferens, ductus deferens, seminal vesicle, ejaculatory duct, and the prostatic urethra. The lecture concludes with a slideshow of the various components of the male sex organ.
The functional anatomy of the human body as revealed by gross and microscopic examination.
