Male Reproductive System

Question 1

what are the 3 layers that forms the capsule binding the testes?

Answer 1

• tunica vaginalis
• tunica albuginea
• tunica vasculosa

Question 2

what is the structure of the tunica vaginalis?

Answer 2

flattened layer of mesothelial cells resting on basement membrane

Question 3

what is the structure of the tunica albuginea?

Answer 3

• thick fibrous capsule
• collagen fibres
• some fibroblasts, myocytes and nerve fibres

Question 4

what is the structure of the tunica vasculosa?

Answer 4

• thin
• loose connective tissue
• blood vessels and lymphatics

Question 5

describe the path of spermatozoa

Answer 5

1. seminiferous tubules (-> straight tubules)
2. rete testis (-> efferent ducts -> epididymis)
3. vas deferens
4. ejaculatory duct (+ secretions from seminal vesicle)
5. urethra (+ secretions from prostate)

Question 6

what does the parenchyma contain?

Answer 6

~250 lobules each containing 1-4 seminiferous tubules

Question 7

where are sertoli cells found?

Answer 7

seminiferous tubules

Question 8

what are the types of spermatogonia?

Answer 8

Type A:
- AD
- AP
Type B

Question 9

what are type AD spermatogonia?

Answer 9

• darkly staining
• stem cell population
• form further AD and AP cells

Question 10

what are type AP spermatogonia?

Answer 10

• pale staining

- form type B cells

Question 11

how do sertoli cells nurture surrounding germ cells?

Answer 11

send cytoplasmic projections

Question 12

what is the shape of nuclei in sertoli cells?

Answer 12

• irregularly shaped
• folded
• prominent nucleolus

Question 13

what are the functions of sertoli cells?

Answer 13

• supportive
• phagocytic
• secretory

Question 14

what are the divisions of spermatozoa?

Answer 14

• head
• midpiece
• tail

Question 15

which part of the spermatozoa contains the nucleus?

Answer 15

head

Question 16

what does the head of spermatozoa contain?

Answer 16

• nucleus

- acrosomal cap

Question 17

what is the function of the acrosomal cap and where is it found?

Answer 17

helps spermatozoon penetrate ovum

- head

Question 18

what does the midpiece of spermatozoa contain?

Answer 18

• spiral mitochondria (wrapped around axoneme)

- axoneme

Question 19

what is the function of the axoneme in spermatozoa and where is it found?

Answer 19

sperm motbility

- midpiece and tail

Question 20

what does the tail of spermatozoa contain?

Answer 20

• axoneme

- plasma membrane

Question 21

what is the function of leydig cells?

Answer 21

produce testosterone

Question 22

describe the histological appearance of leydig cells

Answer 22

• present singly and in clusters in interstitium between tubules
• abundant cytoplasm containing lipid

Question 23

what are reinke’s crystalloids and where are they found?

Answer 23

intracytoplasmic eosinophilic crystalloids

- leydig cells (after puberty)

Question 24

what is the rete testis?

Answer 24

anastomosing network of tubules at hilum of testis

Question 25

what is the epithelial lining of the rete tesis?

Answer 25

- simple squamous / low columnar | - cilia at luminal surface

Question 26

what is the function of the rete testis?

Answer 26

mixing chamber for contents of seminiferous tubules

Question 27

what does the rete testis discharge into?

Answer 27

efferent ducts

Question 28

what is the epithelial lining of the efferent ducts?

Answer 28

- ciliated & non-ciliated simple columnar - interspersed cuboidal (basal) cells - pseudostratified appearance

Question 29

what are the functions of the epididymis?

Answer 29

→ absorption of testicular fluid → phagocytosis of degenerate spermatozoa → production of secretions rich in glycoproteins, sialic acid and glycerol phosphorylcholine

Question 30

how long is the epididymis?

Answer 30

4-5cm

Question 31

what does the epididymis contain?

Answer 31

highly convoluted epididymal duct

Question 32

what is the epithelial lining of the epididymis?

Answer 32

- tall columnar | - long atypical cilia (stereocilia - generally non-motile)

Question 33

how long is the vas deferens?

Answer 33

30-40cm

Question 34

what is the ampulla?

Answer 34

enlargement of the distal part of the vas deferens | - joins excretory duct of seminal vesicle → ejaculatory duct

Question 35

what is the epithelial lining of the vas deferens?

Answer 35

- pseudostratified columnar epithelium | - columnar and basal cells

Question 36

how many layers of smooth muscle does the wall of the vas deferens have?

Answer 36

3

Question 37

what is the shape of the prostate gland?

Answer 37

pear-shaped

Question 38

what does the prostate gland surround?

Answer 38

- bladder neck | - prostatic urethra

Question 39

what are the lobes of the prostate gland?

Answer 39

- anterior - middle - posterior - 2x lateral

Question 40

what are the regions of the prostate gland?

Answer 40

- peripheral - central - transitional - peri-urethral gland

Question 41

which region of the prostate gland does prostate cancer develop in?

Answer 41

peripheral

Question 42

which region of the prostate gland enlarges with age?

Answer 42

central

Question 43

what ducts does the prostate gland have?

Answer 43

- large primary | - small secondary

Question 44

where are acini found?

Answer 44

prostate gland

Question 45

what is the epithelial lining of the acini in the prostate gland?

Answer 45

2 layers: next to basement membrane - flattened basal next layer - secretory columnar

Question 46

what is the function of secretory cells in the prostate gland?

Answer 46

secrete PSA and PAP into seminal fluid

Question 47

what is PSA?

Answer 47

enzymes that helps to liquify semen after ejaculation - determines whether tissue is prostate - determines if patient has prostate cancer

Question 48

describe the structure of stroma

Answer 48

- smooth muscle - fibroelastic fibres - blood vessels - nerves

Question 49

what are the seminal vesicles?

Answer 49

paired highly coiled tubular structures posterolateral to the bladder

Question 50

what is the epithelial lining of the seminal vesicles?

Answer 50

tall non-ciliate columnar epithelium

Question 51

what contains 70-80% of the ejaculate?

Answer 51

seminal vesicles

Question 52

where is spermatozoa produced?

Answer 52

seminiferous tubules

Question 53

what produces the bulk of the seminal fluid?

Answer 53

- prostate - seminal vesicles - Cowper's glands