Scrotum/Testes/Penis/Prostate
What is the normal sonographic appearance of the testis?
homogenous medium level echoes (similar to thyroid) very vascular
What divides the scrotum into sacs internally?
tunica dartos
What is contained within each spermatic cord?
ductus vas deferens testicular arteries venous pampiniform plexus lymphatics autonomic nerves fibers of the cremaster muscle
What is the normal general appearance of the epididymus?
equal to or slightly less echogenic than than the testicle texture appears more coarse than the testicle
What are the endocrine functions of the testes?
growth of male sex organs development of male sex characteristics (body hair, voice deepening)
Laterally, what muscles support the prostate?
levantor ani obturator internus
How should normal seminal vesicles appear when imaged?
low level gray echoes symmetric in size and shape
How should the normal prostate appear when imaged?
medium level echoes symmetric in size and shape
What are the zones of the glandular prostate?
peripheral, central, transition, and periurethral glandular zone
What are the exocrine function(s) of the testes?
produce sperm
What is the prostatic urethra?
Portion of the male urethra surrounded by the prostate gland
What two approaches can be taken to image the prostate and seminal vesicles using ultrasound?
Transabdominal or transrectal technique
What surrounds each testicle and extends into the abdomen over the spermatic cord?
cremaster muscle
Where does spermatogenesis occur?
the convoluted seminiferous tubules
What does the epididymus drain into?
the ductus vas deferens
The joining of the ductus vas deferens and the seminal vesicles forms what?
the ejaculatory ducts
What divides the scrotum into lateral portions externally?
the median raphe
What do the ductus vas deferens connect to?
the seminal vesicles
What is contained within the scrotum?
the testicles, epididymis, and proximal portion of the vas deferens
How many muscle layers compose the ductus vas deferens?
three smooth muscle layers
The prostate gland usually atrophies with age? True or False?
False, it sometimes enlarges
How many zones is the glandular prostate divided into?
Four zones
What is the largest glandular zone of the prostate, making up about 70%?
Peripheral
Which zone do the ejaculatory ducts course through?
Central zone
What is Buck's fascia?
A thick, fibrous loosely applied covering of skin that envelops the penis
In the transverse scanning plane how are the seminal vesicles seen?
Appear in long
Which part of the prostate is in contact with the bladder?
The base
Where does final maturation of sperm occur?
The ductus epididymus
What are the main veins of the penis?
The superficial dorsal vein, and the deep dorsal vein
What is the approximate length of the ductus deferens?
18 in/45 cm
What are the three cylindrical masses of tissue that make up the penis?
2 corpora cavernosa 1 corpus spongiosum
What is the approximate length of the unwrapped epididymus?
20 ft
What is the average testicular volume after a male reaches maturity?
25mL
What is the approximate length of the seminal vesicles?
5 cm/ 2in
What is the tunica albuginea?
A dense, white fibrous tissue that covers each testis and forms the mediastinum testis and interlobar septa
Are the testes classified as endocrine or exocrine gland?
Both endocrine and exocrine
In the normal prostate can the central zone and transition zone be individually distinguished?
No
Can the various layers of the scrotum be differentiated on ultrasound?
No, not normally
What are the seminal vesicles?
Paired glands that are pouch-like structures which secrete alkaline fluid which contributes to sperm viability. They empty into the distal portion of the ductus vas deferens to form the ejaculatory ducts.
