Male Histology Flashcards
(118 cards)
What are the function of the testes?
Spermatogenesis(production of sperm)
Production of testosterone
From where do the testes descend?
the descend from the abdomen region(thus they will contain portions of peritoneum when they are descended into the scrotum)
What is the layer of the testes that contains portions of peritoneum left behind called?
tunica vaginalis
What are the two layers of tunica vaginalis ?
visceral tunica vaginalis
parietal tunica vaginalis
What is the tunica albuginea(tunica propia)?
-dense irregular collagenous connective tissue
-layer of the testes that has direct contact with the seminferous tubules
What is the tunica vasculosa?
vessel layer present in the testis
What are the rete testis?
-250 intercommunicating compartments
-where all the seminiferous tubules connect
-also reffered to as mediastinum testis
Where are the spermatozoa(sperms) produced?
in the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules
(pass to rete testis,efferent tubules,epididymis and the ductus deferens)
What surrounds the seminiferous tubules?
-tunica albuginea(tunica propia)
What happens in the seminiferous tubules?
-site of spermatogenesis(production of sperms
What are the cells contained within the seminiferous tubules?
Leydig Cells (intertial cells that are in charge of producing testosterone)
What is the epithelium in seminiferous tubules?
germinal epithilium (stratified epithelium)
What cells does the seminiferous tubules epithelium have?
Sertoli cells and Spermatogenic cells
Tunica albuginea(propia) and the seminiferous epithelium is separated from each other by?
basal lamina
What are the Sertoli cells?
-supporting/sustentacular cells
-do not replicate after puberty
What kind of cells are the sertoli cells?
columnar cells(enlarged nucleus) with extensive apical and lateral processes(surround adjacent spermatogenic cells
What are the function of the Sertoli Cells?
-physical and nutritional support of developing germ cells
-Phagocytosis of cytoplasm during spermiogenesis
-establishment of a blood-tests barrier(by forming zonilae occludents between adjacent Sertoli cells)(form gap junctions)
-synthesis and secretion of Inhibin(inhibits the release of FSH by anterior pituitary)
-synthesis of Activin(facilitates the release of FSH from the anterior pituitary)
-Secretion of fructose-rich medium (nourishes and facilitates the transport of spermatozoa to the genital ducts
-synthesis and release of antimüllerian hormone (occurs during embriogenesis, and supressess the formation of the müllerian duct)
What are the Leydig Cells?
-polygonal eosionophilic cells(pink color)
-have liposuction pigments
-are steriod secreting cells
- IN CHARGE OF SECRETING TESTOSTERONE DURING EARLY FETAL LIFE
What are the cells that inside the seminferous tubules
Leydig cells
Leydig cells are in charge of producing what?
testosterone and IGF-3 (insulin growth factor 3)
What happens with Leydig cells in the early fetal life?
secretion of testosterone is essential for a normal development of the male gonads. At 5 month leydig cells inactivate until puberty
What happens with Leydig cells during puberty?
are exposed to gonadrotropic stimulation thus become androgen secreting cells and remain active throughout life
What are the thickest cells that are part of the seminiferous epithelium?
Spermatogenic cells (found in different stages of maturation)
What are the different stages of the Spermatogenic cells?
Spermatogonia
Primary spermatocytes
Secondary spermatocytes
Spermatids
Spermatozoa