11(a). Male Reproductive Tract

Question 1

What are the testes?

Answer 1

Paired organ in scrotum

Question 2

What is the average weight of the testes?

Answer 2

15-19g

Question 3

What are the 3 layers of the testes capsules?

Answer 3

• Tunica vaginalis
• Tunica albuginea
• Tunica vasculosa

Question 4

Describe the tunica vaginalis.

Answer 4

Flattened layer of mesothelial cells

Question 5

Describe the tunica albuginea.

Answer 5

Collagen fibres with some fibroblasts, myocytes and nerve fibres

Question 6

Descibe the tunica vasculosa.

Answer 6

Loose connective tissue containing blood vessels and lymphatics

Question 7

How is testicular parencyma divided?

Answer 7

Into lobules by septa originating from the capsule

Question 8

How many lobules are there per testis?

Answer 8

~250

Question 9

How many seminiferous tubules sone 1 lobule contain?

Answer 9

1-4

Question 10

What do seminiferous tubules contain?

Answer 10

Germ cells in varying stages of maturation and sertoli cells

Question 11

Describe the appearance of Type B differentiating progenitor cells.

Answer 11

Spherical nuclei with densely stained masses of chromatin

Question 12

Describe the appearance of Type A spermatogonia.

Answer 12

Darkly stained stem cells (Ad) and pale stained (Ap) cells

Question 13

What do Type A spermatogonia become?

Answer 13

Primary spermatocytes

Question 14

What do primary spermatocytes become?

Answer 14

Secondary spermatocytes

Question 15

What do secondary spermatocytes become?

Answer 15

Spermatids

Question 16

What do spermatids become?

Answer 16

Spermatozoon

Question 17

What are sertoli cells?

Answer 17

Columnar cells on the basement membrane of the tubule

Question 18

What are the functions of sertoli cells?

Answer 18

• Send cytoplasmic projections around germ cells
• Have supportive, phagocytic and secretory functions

Question 19

Describe sertoli nuclei.

Answer 19

Nuclei are irregularly shaped, folded and have prominent nucleolus to distinguish from germ cells

Question 20

What are the sections of spermatozoa?

Answer 20

Head, midpiece and tail

Question 21

What does the head of the spermatozoa contain?

Answer 21

Acrosomal cap and nucleus

Question 22

What does the midpiece of spermatozoa contain?

Answer 22

Spiral mitochondria

Question 23

What does the tail of a spermatozoa contain?

Answer 23

Centrioles, axoneme and plasma membrane

Question 24

Describe Leydig cells.

Answer 24

• Present singly in clusters in the interstitium between tubercles
• Abundant cytoplasm containing lipid
• Reinke’s crytalloids

Question 25

What do Leydig cells produce?

Answer 25

Testosterone

Question 26

What are the rete testis?

Answer 26

Anastomosing network of tubules at the hilum of the testis

Question 27

What do the rete testis receive?

Answer 27

Luminal contents from seminiferous tubules

Question 28

What are rete testis lined by?

Answer 28

Simple squamous or low columnar epithelium on a relatively thick basement membrane

Question 29

What to the rete testis have at the luminal surface?

Answer 29

Cilia

Question 30

What are efferent ducts?

Answer 30

12-15 convoluted tubules which empty into epididymis

Question 31

What are efferent ducts lined by?

Answer 31

Ciliated and non ciliated simple columnar epithelium with interspersed cuboidal cells (basal) to give a pseudostratified appearance

Question 32

What is the epididymis?

Answer 32

A tubular structure 4-5cm long containing a highly convoluted epididymal duct (5m)

Question 33

What is the epididymis lined by?

Answer 33

Tall columnar cells with long atypical cilia

Question 34

The epithelium of the epididymis is supported by what?

Answer 34

A thick basement membrane surrounding which is a well defined muscular coat

Question 35

What is the vas deferens?

Answer 35

30-40cm tubular structure arising from the caudal portion of epididymis

Question 36

The distal part of the vas deferens is enlarged to form what?

Answer 36

The ampulla which joins the excretory duct of the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct

Question 37

The vas deferens is lined by what?

Answer 37

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium comprising columnar and basal cells

Question 38

Describe the muscular wall of the vas deferens.

Answer 38

Thick muscular wall of 3 layers

Question 39

What is the prostate?

Answer 39

Pear shaped glandular organ

Question 40

How heavy is the prostate in young adults?

Answer 40

Up to 20g

Question 41

Where is the prostate positioned?

Answer 41

Surrounds the neck and prostatic urethra

Question 42

How many lobes does the prostate have and what are they called?

Answer 42

5 - Anterior - Middle - Posterior - 2 lateral lobes

Question 43

What are the 4 gland regions in the prostate?

Answer 43

- Peripheral - Central - Transitional - Peri-urethral

Question 44

What is the prostate covered by?

Answer 44

An ill-defined fibro-connective tissue capsule

Question 45

What are the ducts of the prostate?

Answer 45

Large primary and small secondary

Question 46

Describe the acini of the prostate.

Answer 46

30-50 tubuloalveolar glands with convoluted edges

Question 47

What are prostatic acini lined by?

Answer 47

Secretory cells, basal cells and neuroendocrine cells

Question 48

What do secretory cells in the luminal side of the prostate gland secrete?

Answer 48

PSA and PAP into the seminal fluid

Question 49

Describe the stroma of the prostate.

Answer 49

- Smooth muscle - Fibroelastic fibres - Blood vessels - Nerves

Question 50

What are seminal vesicles?

Answer 50

Paired highly coiled tubular structures posterolateral to the bladder

Question 51

What are seminal vesicles lined by?

Answer 51

Tall non-ciliated columnar epithelium

Question 52

Describe the mucosa of seminal vesicles.

Answer 52

Filded smooth muscles (2 layers) and Adventitia

Question 53

How many components are there regarding the erectile tissue of the penis?

Answer 53

3

Question 54

What are the erectile tissues of the penis called?

Answer 54

- Left corpora cavernosa - Right corpora cavernosa - Corpus spongiosum

Question 55

What runs through the corpus spongiosum?

Answer 55

The urethra

Question 56

What does the erectile tissue comprise?

Answer 56

Irregular vascular spaces separated by fibroelastic tissue and smooth muscle