Histology of male reproductive system (basic)

Question 1

where do the testis lie?

Answer 1

in the scrotum

Question 2

what are the testis composed of?

Answer 2

seminiferous tubules that drain into the rete testis

Question 3

what do the rete testis then lead to?

Answer 3

the efferent ductules which then lead to highly coiled epididymus and then vas deferens

Question 4

what is the testis surrounded by?

Answer 4

a heavily vascularised tunica vasculosa and then a tough CT of tunica albuginea (capsule)

Question 5

what is each seminiferous tubule surrounded by?

Answer 5

perilobar CT as well as Leydig cells between them

Question 6

what are Leydig cells’ homologous in female?

Answer 6

theca cells of ovary

both function to produce androgens

Question 7

what are testosterone (androgens) produced from in the testis?

Answer 7

circulating cholesterol

Question 8

what are seminiferous tubules each lined with?

Answer 8

cells of different morphologies - various stages of developing male gametes
(spermatogonia, spermatids, spermatozoa)

Question 9

where are spermatogonia located within the lining of seminiferous tubules?

Answer 9

deepest to the tubular wall

Question 10

how do spermatogonia turn into spermatids and spermatozoa?

Answer 10

spermatogonia slowly migrate to the lumen (of ST), to develop into spermatids, then spermatozoa

Question 11

what envelops developing spermatozoa?

Answer 11

Sertoli cells

Question 12

what is the homologous of Sertoli cells in females?

Answer 12

granulosa cells

both responsive to FSH levels

Question 13

what is the function of Sertoli cells in males?

Answer 13

responsible for metabolic and structural support of the developing spermatozoa

Question 14

what do Sertoli cells produce?

Answer 14

the blood-testis barrier of the testis

also produce inhibin

Question 15

what else surrounds the seminiferous tubule within the testis? function?

Answer 15

myofibroblast

exhibit contractile function

Question 16

when do testicular tumours occur? which type is most common?

Answer 16

occur in early life (not common age group for tumours)

90-95% = germ cell tumours

Question 17

where do spermatozoa formed in the seminiferous tubules pass via? into?

Answer 17

via straight tubules into rete testis

Question 18

what do the channels of rete testis fuse to form?

Answer 18

a number of efferent ductules - which drain into highly coiled epididymus (H,B,T)

Question 19

what do efferent ductules connect?

Answer 19

rete testis to head of epididymus

Question 20

what is efferent ductule lined with?

Answer 20

loose CT and a mixture of columnar and non-ciliated cuboidal cells

Question 21

what is the function of non-ciliated cuboidal cells within the efferent ductules?

Answer 21

reabsorb some of the fluid produced from the seminiferous tubules

Question 22

what is the function of the columnar cells within the efferent ductules?

Answer 22

move sperm through the seminiferous tubules

Question 23

what else lines the efferent ductules?

Answer 23

contractile cells

Question 24

function of contractile cells lining the efferent ductules?

Answer 24

adding to sperm transport

Question 25

describe the epididymus

Answer 25

coiled tube with head, body, tail

Question 26

what lines the epididymus?

Answer 26

pseudostratified epithelia containing stereocilia

Question 27

what does the lining of pseudostratified epithelia containing stereocilia allow for in the epididymus?

Answer 27

reabsorption of any residual bodies of sperm lost during maturation and modulation of any secretions

Question 28

what surrounds the tubule of the epididymus? what does it allow for?

Answer 28

substantial muscular layer surrounding tubule, allowing for rhythmic contraction in the head and body of the epididymus

Question 29

what type of control is the tail of the epididymus under?

Answer 29

autonomic control

Question 30

what is the function of the vas deferens?

Answer 30

transports male germ cells from epididymus to the ejaculatory duct

Question 31

where is the ejaculatory duct formed?

Answer 31

at the union of the seminal vesicle and terminal part of the vas deferens

Question 32

what does the vas deferens contain? function?

Answer 32

an extremely thick muscular layer made of 3 separate muscular layers (outer longitudinal, middle circular, inner longitudinal) for powerful contractions

Question 33

what is the folding of the mucosal layer of the vas deferens due to?

Answer 33

tone of the (middle) circular layer of SM

Question 34

what is the epithelial lining of the vas deferens?

Answer 34

pseudostratified with a few stereocilia present (same as epididymus, but less stereocilia)

Question 35

what are the seminal vesicles?

Answer 35

paired glands open into vas deferens near prostatic urethra

Question 36

what do seminal vesicles initially develop as?

Answer 36

outgrowing of the vas deferens

Question 37

what are each seminal vesicle like?

Answer 37

coiled tubulosaccular glands

Question 38

what is the mucosa of seminal vesicles like?

Answer 38

mucosa is highly folded and surrounded by a muscular coat

Question 39

what is the innervation of the muscular coat surrounding the seminal vesicles?

Answer 39

sympathetic

Question 40

what is the function of the seminal vesicles?

Answer 40

provide bulk of the ejaculate

Question 41

where are the prostate glands located?

Answer 41

surrounds the prostatic urethra at the base of the bladder

Question 42

what do the prostate glands consist of?

Answer 42

3 tubuloalveolar glands arranged around the urethra: mucosal, submucosal and main glands (also = central, transitional, peripheral zones)

Question 43

what do the 3 tubuloalveolar glands of the prostate drain into?

Answer 43

the urethra

Question 44

what is the prostate surrounded by? forming?

Answer 44

a fibromuscular capsule, from which the septae form

Question 45

what is the function of the septae (from fibromuscular capsule) in the prostate?

Answer 45

divides the prostate up into zones

Question 46

what does the prostate produce? function?

Answer 46

a slightly alkaline fluid | helps to neutralise acidity of the vaginal tract

Question 47

which epithelia lines the prostate?

Answer 47

``` heterogenous epithelia - so can be: simple squamous cuboidal columnar OR pseudostratified ```

Question 48

what can occur to the prostate in older men?

Answer 48

enlargement of the prostate (PH) | benign (BPH) / malignant (MPH)

Question 49

what causes enlargement of the prostate?

Answer 49

bodies of proteins, cholesterol and calcium phosphate can calcify and form in the ducts

Question 50

what are the most common disorders of the prostate?

Answer 50

hyperplasia and carcinoma

Question 51

where is BPH most commonly seen?

Answer 51

in transitional zone

Question 52

where is prostatic adenocarcinoma most commonly seen?

Answer 52

in peripheral zone

Question 53

how do BPH and prostatic adenocarcinoma present?

Answer 53

similar symptoms: frequency urgency incontinence

Question 54

when do symptoms of prostatic adenocarcinoma present?

Answer 54

present late as it is in the peripheral zone - doesn't compress prostatic urethra as early on as BPH in transitional zone

Question 55

what are the bulbourethral glands?

Answer 55

2 small exocrine glands that are found exiting the membranous portion of the urethra at the base of the penis

Question 56

what is the function of the bulbourethral glands?

Answer 56

produce 'pre-ejaculate' for lubrication