1.3 HM Flashcards
Give the path of sperm through the testes
Seminiferous tubules RT ED Head, Body, Tail of Epididymis VD
Cell types in testes and where they are located?
Sertoli cells lining seminiferous tubules with spermatogenic cells between and above them.
Leydig cells in interstitial space.
Function of leydig cells
Secrete testosterone
What are the 2 types of seminiferous epithelium?
Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells
Where are spermatogonia and spermatids located relatively?
Spermatogonia near BM, deepest in tubular wall and spermatids near lumen.
What forms the blood testis barrier?
Sertoli cells
What is the rete testis? Epithelium?
Exit to the eminiferous duct system
Seminiferous tubules converge on rete testis via tubuli recti
Simple cuboiidal epithelium
What do efferent ductules connect?
Epithelium?
Function of epithelium?
Connects rete testis with head of epididymis
Columnar ciliated cells
- Ciliary action + myoid contraction = sperm transport
Cuboidal no-ciliated cells
- Absorption and removal of fluid secreted by STs
What is the epididymis?
How long?
Epithelium?
Outer epididymal layer?
Single coiled muscular tube
4-6m in length
Pseudostratified columnar
Stereocilia (nonmotile) on apical membrane
Basal cells beneath
Outside layer contains smooth muscle which increases as epididymis progresses
Function of epididymis?
First part has absorptive function
- Dgesting residual bodies lost from sperm during maturation
Muscle layers show rhythmic contractions but tail is under autonomic control.
Transport and maturation of sperm
Secretory function - proteins contributing to sperm maturation.
What does the vas deferens join?
Epididymis to the ejaculatory duct (formed by the union of duct and seminal vesicle)
Describe the section of the vas deferens
Epithelium lining lumen
Lamina propria of loose CT
