Histology of the male reproductive system

Question 1

what is the role of the testes?

Answer 1

sperm and androgen production

Question 2

what is the role of the epididymis, ductus defers, ejaculatory duct, and the urethra?

Answer 2

sperm transport

Question 3

what is the role of the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and the bulbourethral glands?

Answer 3

semen production and sperm nutrient source

Question 4

what is the role of the penis?

Answer 4

copulatory organ with erectile tissue

Question 5

what is the name of the dense connective tissue capsule surrounding the testes?

Answer 5

the tunica albuginea

Question 6

what is the network of fibrous connective tissue that is located on the posterior side of the testes that extends from the top to the bottom of each teste?

Answer 6

the mediastinum testis

Question 7

what is house within each lobule that the septa creates?

Answer 7

the seminiferous tubules

Question 8

where exactly does sperm production take place in the testes?

Answer 8

the seminiferous tubules

Question 9

what is the tunica vaginalis derived from?

Answer 9

the peritoneum

Question 10

how can the tunica vaginalis be divided?

Answer 10

into an outer parietal layer that is lining the scrotum and an inner visceral layer that is covering the tunica albuginea

Question 11

what are the retentions testis?

Answer 11

a series of tubes that relay sperm out of the efferent ductules to reach the epididymis

Question 12

what are the seminiferous tubules lined with?

Answer 12

seminiferous epithelium

Question 13

what are the 2 cell types found within the seminiferous tubules?

Answer 13

the Sertoli cells and the spermatogenic cells

Question 14

what are the seminiferous tubules surrounded by and what is the function?

Answer 14

they are surrounded by connective tissue and 3-5 layers of flattened peritubular myoid cells; they create peristaltic contractions that help move the spermatozoa

Question 15

what cells are found in between the seminiferous tubules?

Answer 15

the interstitial cells of leydig

Question 16

how can the interstitial cells of leydig be described?

Answer 16

they are steroid-producing cells (testosterone) containing lipid droplets, mitochondria, and a well-developed sER

Question 17

what are the interstitial cells of leydig accompanied by?

Answer 17

myoid cells and fibroblasts

Question 18

what kind of epithelium makes up the seminiferous epithelium?

Answer 18

stratified epithelium with unusual characteristics

Question 19

what kind of cells are sertoli cells?

Answer 19

columnar cells with extensive processes

Question 20

what is the hallmark of sertoli cells?

Answer 20

the cyclops nucleus

Question 21

what is the most immature form of spermatogenic cells?

Answer 21

the spermatogonia

Question 22

where are spermatogonia cells found?

Answer 22

they rest on the basal lamina

Question 23

what is the most mature form of spermatogenic cell?

Answer 23

spermatids

Question 24

where are the spermatids found?

Answer 24

they are attached to the apical portion of the sertoli cells near the tubule lumen

Question 25

what cell population forms the blood-testis-barrier?

Answer 25

sertoli cells

Question 26

how is the blood-testis-barrier established?

Answer 26

the sertoli cells are bound by tight junctions to form the sertoli-cell-to-certoli-cell junctional complex

Question 27

what does the blood-testis-barrier prevent?

Answer 27

the attack of the haploid sperm- it significantly decreases permeability

Question 28

what is found below the blood-testis-barrier?

Answer 28

the basal compartment

Question 29

what is the basal compartment?

Answer 29

an open space below the junctional barrier that is adjacent to the basement membrane but also adjacent to the circulation to the testis

Question 30

what is found above the blood-testis-barrier?

Answer 30

the luminal compartment

Question 31

what is the luminal compartment?

Answer 31

the compartment that is exposed to the lumen of the seminiferous tubules

Question 32

once cells pass from the basal compartment to the luminal compartment, what are they protected from?

Answer 32

any immunological response that could occur in the circulation

Question 33

what happens when type a spermatogonia undergo mitosis?

Answer 33

it will generate a copy of itself or a type B spermatogonia

Question 34

what happens to type B spermatogonia?

Answer 34

it will enter into meiosis and change--> it will divide to form a primary spermatocyte

Question 35

where do the spermatocytes undergo two meiotic divisions?

Answer 35

inside the blood-testes barrier (beyond the point of being exposed to the circulating blood)

Question 36

what happens when the primary spermatocyte divides?

Answer 36

it will form a secondary spermatocyte

Question 37

what happens when the secondary spermatocyte divides?

Answer 37

it forms the spermatids

Question 38

what are the haploid germ cells that are located in the seminiferous compartments (specifically the luminal compartment)?

Answer 38

secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, and sperm

Question 39

what cells are restricted to the basal compartment?

Answer 39

spermatogonia and early primary spermatocytes

Question 40

what cell types pass through the junctional complex and move from the basal to the luminal compartment by breaking up the junctions?

Answer 40

the primary spermatocytes

Question 41

what cell types are restricted to the luminal compartment?

Answer 41

mature spermatocytes and spermatids

Question 42

what cells undergo spermatogenesis and differentiate into mature sperm cells?

Answer 42

spermatids

Question 43

where are the round (early) spermatids housed?

Answer 43

in niches of sertoli cells

Question 44

where are the elongated (late) spermatids housed?

Answer 44

in the apical crypts of the sertoli cells

Question 45

what is spermiation?

Answer 45

the release of mature spermatids into the lumen

Question 46

what piece of the sperm tail contains the mitochondria?

Answer 46

the middle piece

Question 47

what is the longest piece of the sperm tail called?

Answer 47

the principal piece

Question 48

what is the sperm transport pathway starting with the straight tubules?

Answer 48

straight tubules--> rete testis-->efferent ductules-->epididymis--> ductus deferens--> ejaculatory duct

Question 49

where do sperm mature?

Answer 49

in the epididymis

Question 50

what is the tissue type of the epididymis?

Answer 50

pseudostratified columnar epithelia with long sterocilia

Question 51

what 2 cell types make up the epididymis?

Answer 51

the principal cells and the stem cells

Question 52

what does sperm maturation consists in acquiring?

Answer 52

forward motility

Question 53

what part of the epididymis are mature sperm stored in?

Answer 53

the tail

Question 54

what is the ductus deferens lined with?

Answer 54

pseudostratified columnar epithelia with sparse stereocilia

Question 55

what is the ductus deferens supported by?

Answer 55

a CT lamina propria with elastic fibers

Question 56

what is the musculature of the ductus deferens like?

Answer 56

inner and outer longitudinal layers and a middle circular layer

Question 57

what is the ampulla of the ductus deferens?

Answer 57

it is the dilated portion that leads directly into the prostate gland

Question 58

what does the distal end of the ductus deferens receive?

Answer 58

the ducts of the seminal vesicles, which forms the ejaculatory ducts

Question 59

what are the accessory glands of the male reproductive system?

Answer 59

seminal vesicles (2), prostate gland (1), bulbourethral glands (2), and the urethral glands

Question 60

which accessory glands produce the majority of the seminal fluid?

Answer 60

the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland

Question 61

what is the function of the accessory glands regulated by?

Answer 61

androgens (testosterone and DHT)

Question 62

what is the composition of fluid secreted by the seminal vesicles?

Answer 62

it is an alkaline secretion that is rich in fructose and prostaglandins

Question 63

what do the seminal vesicles look like histologically?

Answer 63

highly folded mucosa lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium; no sterocilia

Question 64

what are the different zones of the prostate gland?

Answer 64

the central zone, the peripheral zone, the transitional zone, and the periurethral zone

Question 65

what does the central zone of the prostate gland surround?

Answer 65

the ejaculatory ducts as they pierce the prostate gland

Question 66

what does the peripheral zone of the prostate gland surround?

Answer 66

the central zone and the posteriolateral parts of the gland; it is palpable during a digital rectal exam

Question 67

where do most prostatic carcinomas arise?

Answer 67

in the peripheral zone

Question 68

what does the transitional zone of the prostate gland surround?

Answer 68

the prostatic urethra (contains mucosal glands

Question 69

what can occur in the transitional zone of the prostate gland?

Answer 69

the parenchymal cells undergo hyperplasia and form nodular masses of epithelial cells- this can cause benign prostatic hyperplasia

Question 70

what does the periurethral zone contain?

Answer 70

mucosal and submucosal glands

Question 71

in later stages of BPH, which prostate zone can undergo pathologic growth?

Answer 71

the periurethral zone

Question 72

what do all the glands empty into?

Answer 72

the prostatic urethra

Question 73

what is the prostatic urethra?

Answer 73

the end site of the prostatic ducts and ejaculatory ducts

Question 74

what is the prostate gland lined with?

Answer 74

simple columnar or pseudostratified epithelium

Question 75

what does the lumen of the prostate gland contain?

Answer 75

corpora amylacea

Question 76

what does the prostate gland produce and for what reason?

Answer 76

a Zn-rich alkaline fluid, it neutralizes the acidic environment of the vagina

Question 77

what are the pea-sized structures that are located in the urogenital diaphragm and resemble mucous glands?

Answer 77

bulbourethral glands

Question 78

what are the bulbourethral glands lined with?

Answer 78

simple columnar epithelium that is under the control of testosterone

Question 79

what do the bulbourethral glands secrete?

Answer 79

preseminal fluid--> lubricates the penile urethra and neutralizes traces of acidic urine

Question 80

what are the corpora cavernosa of the penis each surrounded by?

Answer 80

a dense fibroelastic layer- the tunica albuginea

Question 81

what does erection involve?

Answer 81

blood filling the cavernous spaces of the erectile tissues (controlled by the ANS in the vascular walls)