Quiz: Male Reproductive Ducts and Glands — 9 questions

1. Regarding the structure and function of the epididymis, which statements are correct?

A. The epididymis measures about 6 metres when fully uncoiled.

B. The epididymis is a highly convoluted tube resting on and beside the testis.

C. The epididymis mainly conducts sperm away from the testis without maturation.

D. Sperm become motile and physiologically active during epididymal passage.

E. The epididymis contains a head, body, and tail region.

Answer: (A), (B), (D), (E)

Explanation

The epididymis is a highly convoluted tube about 6 metres long when uncoiled, and it lies on and beside the testis. It has three regions—head, body, and tail—and sperm mature during passage before temporary storage in the tail.

2. Which statements accurately describe ejaculatory duct formation and termination?

A. The ejaculatory duct is approximately 2 centimetres long.

B. Each ejaculatory duct opens into the prostatic urethra.

C. The ejaculatory duct opens directly through the external urethral meatus.

D. The ejaculatory duct forms where the vas deferens joins the ureter.

E. Each ejaculatory duct forms where a vas deferens joins a seminal vesicle duct.

Answer: (A), (B), (E)

Explanation

At the bladder base, each vas deferens joins the duct of a seminal vesicle to form an ejaculatory duct. The ejaculatory duct is about 2 centimetres long and opens into the prostatic urethra.

3. Regarding the male urethra, which statements are correct?

A. The male urethra carries urine but has no role in semen passage.

B. The male urethra is approximately 20 centimetres long.

C. The male urethra is a paired tube extending from both epididymides.

D. The male urethra is separate from the genital pathway as in females.

E. The male urethra provides a common pathway for urine and semen.

Answer: (B), (E)

Explanation

The male urethra is about 20 centimetres long and serves as a common pathway for urine and semen. The female urinary and genital openings are separate, so that comparison does not describe the male urethra.

4. The glandular arrangement of the male accessory glands includes:

A. One seminal vesicle accompanied by two bulbourethral glands.

B. Two bulbourethral glands contributing to the accessory-gland group.

C. Two seminal vesicles contributing to the accessory-gland group.

D. One prostate gland within the accessory-gland group.

E. Two prostate glands located beside the urinary bladder.

Answer: (A), (B), (C), (D)

Explanation

The prostate is a single gland, whereas seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands are paired. Thus, the total arrangement is one prostate gland, two seminal vesicles, and two bulbourethral glands.

5. The composition and actions of seminal-vesicle fluid include:

A. Seminal-vesicle fluid contains citrate and fructose.

B. Seminal-vesicle fluid contains bile salts that immobilize sperm.

C. Fructose supplies energy needed by sperm.

D. Hyaluronidase contributes to the fertilization process.

E. Prostaglandins stimulate vaginal contractions that aid sperm movement.

Answer: (A), (C), (D), (E)

Explanation

Seminal-vesicle fluid contains citrate, fructose, hyaluronidase, and prostaglandins. Fructose provides sperm energy, hyaluronidase assists fertilization, and prostaglandins stimulate vaginal contractions that aid sperm movement toward the ovum.

6. Regarding the bulbourethral glands:

A. They are paired glands positioned below the prostate near the urethra.

B. Their ducts open into the distal urethra near the penile tip.

C. They are unpaired glands positioned above the prostate near the urethra.

D. They are yellow, pea-sized glands attached to the urinary bladder.

E. Their ducts join the proximal urethra after leaving the glands.

Answer: (A), (E)

Explanation

The bulbourethral glands are paired, yellow, pea-sized structures attached below the prostate, and their ducts join the proximal urethra. The prostate is unpaired, while the glands’ ducts do not join the distal urethra.

7. Which statements accurately describe bulbourethral gland secretion?

A. It is released before ejaculation to prepare the urethral passage.

B. It is a thin, acidic fluid that promotes sperm damage.

C. It helps remove lingering acidic urine that could harm sperm.

D. It is a clear, alkaline, viscous mucus that lubricates the urethra.

E. It is expelled during ejaculation as a secretion from seminal vesicles.

Answer: (A), (C), (D)

Explanation

Before ejaculation, the glands release clear, alkaline, viscous mucus that lubricates the urethra. This secretion also removes residual acidic urine, whereas seminal-vesicle secretion is expelled during ejaculation and is not the secretion described here.

8. Concerning the penis as an external genital organ:

A. It has the same combined urinary and genital opening arrangement as females.

B. It is located just in front of the scrotum in the male body.

C. It provides a passage for both semen and urine.

D. It is located behind the scrotum near the anus.

E. It provides a passage for semen but not for urine.

Answer: (B), (C)

Explanation

The penis is an external male genital organ located in front of the scrotum and provides a passage for both semen and urine. Female urinary and genital openings are separate, so that comparison does not describe the penis.

9. Which statements correctly describe penile function and erection?

A. Sperm transfer occurs through the penis during reproductive activity.

B. The penis becomes rigid when blood leaves its vascular spaces.

C. Erection occurs when blood fills vascular spaces within erectile tissue.

D. The penis transfers sperm to the female reproductive tract.

E. Penile rigidity results when urine fills spaces within erectile tissue.

Answer: (A), (C), (D)

Explanation

Blood filling vascular spaces within erectile tissue makes the penis rigid and erect, and the organ transfers sperm to the female reproductive tract. Erection is therefore a vascular event, not the direct definition of sperm transfer.