Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

ENRE > Male Reproductive Histology > Flashcards

Male Reproductive Histology Flashcards

(50 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What surrounds the testes?

A

tunica albuginea –> tunica vaginalis = visceral and parietal layers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is aWhat is the mediastinum testis?

A

thickening of tunica albuginea in the posterior

contains rete testis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a lobule of a testis?

A

seminiferous tubules + leydig cells

~250 lobules in each testis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What type of cells make up the semineferous tubules?

A

stratified epithelium:

sertoli cells = support cells

spermatogenic cells

surrounded by peritubular/myoid cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What do the ends of seminiferous tubules become?

A

straight tubules

proximal part = sertoli cells

distal part = simple cuboidal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is rete testis?

A

anastomosing channel w/in mediastinum

straight tubules continuous w/ this

*simple cuboidal/low columnar

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are efferent ductules?

A

connect mediastinum to epidydmis

transmit sperm from testis to epidydmis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is contained in the head of the epidydmis?

A

efferent ductules

pseudostratified columnar epithelium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is contained in the body of the epididymis?

A

principal cells = pseudostratified columnar epithelium w/ stereocilia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is distinct about the lumen of the epididymis?

A

lumen is smooth, not folded

stereocilia on principal cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What characterizes the ductus deferens?

A

long muscular tube w/ pseudostratified columnar epithelium w/ stereocilia

muscular wall (inner and outer longitudinal w/ middle circular layer)

surrounded by loose CT and fat

*folded lumen*

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the ampula of the ductus deferens?

A

dilated portion leading into prostate

taller, branched mucosal folds w/ glandular diverticula

distal end receives ducts of seminal vesicles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How are spermatogenic cells arranged in seminiferous tubules?

A

most immature at edges near myoid cells

sperm cells in/close to lumen

(mature toward lumen)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are type A spermatogonia?

A

ovoid nuclei w/ intensely basophilic, granular chromatin –> remain as reserve cells or later become type B

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are type B spermatogonia?

A

spherical nuclei w/ chromatin condensed into large clumps around a central nucleolus –> enter meiosis to become mature sperm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the sequence of spermatogenesis?

A

type B spermatogonia –> primary spermatocyte (2n, 4d) –> secondary spermatocyte (1n, 2d) –> spermatids (1n)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the golgi phase of spermiogenesis?

A

hydrolytic enzymes from golgi –> make acrosomal vesicle

dev next to nucleus

where acrosome goes = anterior pole of sperm

centrioles migrate to posterior pole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the cap phase of spermiogenesis?

A

acrosomal vesicle enlarges and spreads over antior 1/2 of nucleus = cap

nuclear envelope attaches to acrosomal sac

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the acrosome phase of spermiogenesis?

A

spermatid orients itself so head is embedded in sertoli cell –> points toward basal lamina

manchette is formed from cytoplasmic microtubules (involved in protein trafficking)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the maturation phase of spermiogenesis?

A

excess cytoplasm removed as residual bodies creating mature spermatozoon

spermatids released into lumen of seminiferous tubule

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the structure of a sperm head?

Study These Flashcards
A

flattened, condensed, elongated nucleus

2/3 of nucleus covered by acrosomal cap

22
Q

What is the structure of a sperm tail?

Study These Flashcards
A

mid piece = mitochondria

principal piece = fibrous sheath, external course fibers (longest part)

end piece = containes axonemal complex (connects microtubules together)

23
Q

What is the pathway of sperm?

Study These Flashcards
A

seminiferous tubule

straight tubule

rete testis

efferent ductule

epididymal duct

ductus deferens

ejaculatory duct

24
Q

what characterize sertoli cells?

Study These Flashcards
A

support cells, don’t replicate after puberty

columnar w/ extensive apical and lateral processes surrounding spermatogenic cells

tight jxns btw cells = blood-testis barrier

secrete androgen-binding protein (ABP)

25
What is ABP?
androgen-binding protein secreted by sertoli cells binds T and DHT w/ high affinity to transport thru blood
26
What is the lamina propria surrounding seminiferous tubules?
layers of myoid cells that contract creating peristaltic waves to move spermatozoa through tubules to duct system normal aging --\> thickening of LP --\> decreased rate of sperm production and size of seminiferous tubules excessive thickening early in life = infertility
27
What is in the intertitial stroma of testes?
loose intertubular CT blood vessels leydig cells
28
WHat are crystals of reinke?
rod-shaped cytoplasmic crystals of androgens in leydig cells
29
What characterizes leydig cells?
large, eosinophilic cells w/ lipid droplets crystals of reinke elaborate smooth ER secrete T and INSL3
30
What do T and INSL3 do in embryo?
T needed form gonad dev INSL3 --\> decent of testes
31
What do T and INSL3 do in puberty?
T for sperm production, accessory sex gland secretion, secondary sex characteristics INSL3 promotes meiotic divisions in seminiferous tubules
32
What do leydig cells do in adulthood?
T for maintenance of spermatogenesis, secondary sex char, accessory sex glands secrete oxytocin to stim contraction of myoid cells moving sperm toward efferent ductules
33
What are the accessory sex glands in a male?
seminal vesicles = 2 bulbourethral glands =2 prostate
34
What forms the ejaculatory duct?
short excretory duct w/ ampulla of ductus deferens
35
What are the layers af the seminal vesicle?
mucosa = folded to increase secretory SA; **pseudostratified columnar** epithelium resting on basal lamina smooth muscle = contracts during ejaculation fibrous coat
36
What is the secretion from the seminal vesicles?
whitish, yellow viscous fluid = 75% of semen contains fructose, AAs, ascorbic acid, and prostaglandins nourish sperm
37
What characterize the bulbourethral glands?
paired, pea-sized glands in urogenital diaphragm ducts that join w/ spongy urethra **compound tubuloalveolar glands = simple columnar epithelium**
38
What is the secretion from the bulbourethral glands?
clear, mucus-like w/ galactose, sialic acid, methylpentose main part of preseminal fluid - lubricates urethra and neutralizes any traces of acidic urine
39
What is the histology of the prostate?
glands lined by simple columnar or pseudostratified epithelium
40
What does the prostate secrete?
clear, slightly alkaline fluid to neutralize acidic environment of vagina provides nutrients, transports, and liquefies sperm
41
What are the 4 zones of the prostate?
peripheral = posterior and lateral parts of gland; where prostatic carcinomas start (DRE) transitional = surrounds prostatic urethra; BPH location **central** = surrounds ejaculatory ducts (**basophilic** cytoplasm w/ **large nuclei** at diff levels in adjacent cells) Periurethral = mucosa and submucosa (BPH grows here later)
42
WHat is benign prostatic hyperplasia?
primarily occurs in transitional zone --\> later in periurethral zone cells undergo extensive division --\> nodular masses of epithelial cells causes partial or total obstruction of prostatic urethra
43
What characterizes prostate cancer?
prostatic adenocarcinoma = MC cancer in men 70% of 70-80 yo have prostatic adenocarcinoma arise in peripheral zone = easily felt on DRE PSA for early diagnosis, better for tracking progress most cases are asymptomatic until very late in disease
44
What is the pH of semen? average ejaculate?
7.7 3 mL, 100 million sperm per mL, 20% abnormal, 25% immotile
45
What binds the 3 corpora of the penis together?
tunica albuginea
46
How are the corpora cavernosa supplied w/ blood?
deep artery of penis runs w/in corpora cavernosa --\> branches into helicine arteries
47
How does bloodflow contribute to an erection?
blood fills sinuses in erectile tissue --\> increased size and rigidity sinuses anastomose w/ veins allowing blood drainage engorgement of sinuses --\> compresses and restricts venous outflow --\> blood trapped in sinuses --\> erection maintained
48
How does an erection occur?
PNS signals from pelvic splanchnic ns --\> penis --\> NO --\> GC --\> cGMP --\> Ca storage in smooth muscle cells --\> Sm m relaxation --\> increased blood flow into sinusoids of erectile tissue
49
What is detumescence?
stopage of an erection
50
How does detumescence occur?
SNS --\> contraction of SM and decreased blood flow to sinusoids --\> opening of veins of penis and release of blood Phosphodiesterase breaks down cGMP --\> decreases sm m relaxation \*PDE inhibitors\*

ENRE (21 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions