NR 304 Remainder of Concepts
NR 304 FINAL FOR ADDITIONAL CONCEPTS / NR304 REMAINDER OF CONCEPTS
Structure and function of male GU
Developmental competence
Adults and Aging Adults
,NR 304 Remainder of Concepts
The older man does not experience a definite end to fertility as the woman does. The production
of sperm begins to decrease around 40 years, although it continues into the 80s and 90s.
Testosterone production declines after age 30 but very gradually, so resulting physical changes
are not
evident until later in life. In the aging male the amount of pubic hair decreases and turns gray.
Penis size decreases. Because of decreased tone of the dartos muscle, the scrotal contents hang
lower, the rugae decrease, and the scrotum looks pendulous. The testes decrease in size and are
less firm to palpation. Increased connective tissue is present in the tubules; thus these become
thickened and produce less sperm.
In general, declining testosterone production leaves the older male with a slower and less intense
sexual response, and an erection takes longer to develop and is less full or firm. Ejaculation is
shorter and less forceful, and the volume of seminal fluid is less than when the man was younger.
After
ejaculation, rapid detumescence (return to the flaccid state) occurs, especially after 60 years.
Sexual Expression in Later Life.
Chronologic age by itself should not mean a halt in sexual activity. The just-mentioned physical
changes need not interfere with the libido and pleasure from sexual intercourse. The older male
is capable of sexual function as long as he is in reasonably good health and has an interested,
willing partner. In the absence of disease, a withdrawal from sexual activity may be caused by
loss of spouse; depression; preoccupation with work; marital or family conflict; side effects of
medications such as antihypertensives, psychotropics, antidepressants, antispasmodics, sedatives,
tranquilizers or narcotics, and estrogens; heavy use of alcohol; lack of privacy (living with adult
children or in a nursing home); economic or emotional stress; poor nutrition; or fatigue.
Tanner scale: is a scale of physical development in children, adolescents and adults.
The scale defines physical measurements of development based on
external primary and secondary sex characteristics, such as the size of the breasts, genitals,
testicular volume and development of pubic hair. This scale was first identified by James Tanner,
a British pediatrician, and thus bears his name.[1][2][3]
, NR 304 Remainder of Concepts
Illustration of the Tanner scale for males.
Tanner I testicular volume less than 1.5 ml; small penis (prepubertal; typically age nine and
younger)
Tanner II testicular volume between 1.6 and 6 ml; skin on scrotum thins, reddens and enlarges;
penis length unchanged (9–11)
Tanner III testicular volume between 6 and 12 ml; scrotum enlarges further; penis begins to
lengthen (11–12.5)
Tanner IV testicular volume between 12 and 20 ml; scrotum enlarges further and darkens; penis
increases in length (12.5–14)
Tanner V testicular volume greater than 20 ml; adult scrotum and penis (14+)
NR 304 FINAL FOR ADDITIONAL CONCEPTS / NR304 REMAINDER OF CONCEPTS
Structure and function of male GU
Developmental competence
Adults and Aging Adults
,NR 304 Remainder of Concepts
The older man does not experience a definite end to fertility as the woman does. The production
of sperm begins to decrease around 40 years, although it continues into the 80s and 90s.
Testosterone production declines after age 30 but very gradually, so resulting physical changes
are not
evident until later in life. In the aging male the amount of pubic hair decreases and turns gray.
Penis size decreases. Because of decreased tone of the dartos muscle, the scrotal contents hang
lower, the rugae decrease, and the scrotum looks pendulous. The testes decrease in size and are
less firm to palpation. Increased connective tissue is present in the tubules; thus these become
thickened and produce less sperm.
In general, declining testosterone production leaves the older male with a slower and less intense
sexual response, and an erection takes longer to develop and is less full or firm. Ejaculation is
shorter and less forceful, and the volume of seminal fluid is less than when the man was younger.
After
ejaculation, rapid detumescence (return to the flaccid state) occurs, especially after 60 years.
Sexual Expression in Later Life.
Chronologic age by itself should not mean a halt in sexual activity. The just-mentioned physical
changes need not interfere with the libido and pleasure from sexual intercourse. The older male
is capable of sexual function as long as he is in reasonably good health and has an interested,
willing partner. In the absence of disease, a withdrawal from sexual activity may be caused by
loss of spouse; depression; preoccupation with work; marital or family conflict; side effects of
medications such as antihypertensives, psychotropics, antidepressants, antispasmodics, sedatives,
tranquilizers or narcotics, and estrogens; heavy use of alcohol; lack of privacy (living with adult
children or in a nursing home); economic or emotional stress; poor nutrition; or fatigue.
Tanner scale: is a scale of physical development in children, adolescents and adults.
The scale defines physical measurements of development based on
external primary and secondary sex characteristics, such as the size of the breasts, genitals,
testicular volume and development of pubic hair. This scale was first identified by James Tanner,
a British pediatrician, and thus bears his name.[1][2][3]
, NR 304 Remainder of Concepts
Illustration of the Tanner scale for males.
Tanner I testicular volume less than 1.5 ml; small penis (prepubertal; typically age nine and
younger)
Tanner II testicular volume between 1.6 and 6 ml; skin on scrotum thins, reddens and enlarges;
penis length unchanged (9–11)
Tanner III testicular volume between 6 and 12 ml; scrotum enlarges further; penis begins to
lengthen (11–12.5)
Tanner IV testicular volume between 12 and 20 ml; scrotum enlarges further and darkens; penis
increases in length (12.5–14)
Tanner V testicular volume greater than 20 ml; adult scrotum and penis (14+)
