Male Reproductive System

Question 1

how many lobules does the testis have?

Answer 1

250

Question 2

what is the name of the capsule surrounding the testis?

Answer 2

tunica albuginea

Question 3

describe the composition of each testis lobule

Answer 3

1-4 seminferous tubules contained within interstitial tissue which contains nerves, vessels and Leydig cells

Question 4

what are the two purposes of the testis?

Answer 4

produce sperm and androgenic hormones

Question 5

describe the development of sperm

Answer 5

speratgonia - primary spermatocyte- secondary spermatocyte- (haploid)- spermatid (hp). further divisions do not occur; spermatids are transformed to spermatozoa via spermiogenesis

Question 6

what is meant by cytoplasm bridges?

Answer 6

the divisions along the way to a spermatid are incomplete, leaving cytoplasm bridges connecting the daughter cells. They are lost later in spermiogenesis

Question 7

list the progression of physical structures that reflect spermatogenesis to ejaculation

Answer 7

seminferous tubules - straight tubules - rete testes - efferent tubules - epididymis - vas deferens - ejaculatory duct - urethra

Question 8

what is a cryptorchid testis

Answer 8

an undescended testis that is as a result too hot and carcinogenic

Question 9

describe sertoli cells

Answer 9

found at the basal membrane w/ euchromatic nuclei and a distinct nucleolus. they extend in towards the lumen, and have tight junctional complexes with adjacent sertoli cells that divide the epithelium into basal and luminal compartments

Question 10

what compartments are the primary spermatocytes found in? what must happen for them to progress?

Answer 10

they are found in the basal compartment but must travel into the lumen compartment before progressing to secondary spermatocytes

Question 11

what is the composition of the blood-testis barrier made of? why is it important?

Answer 11

the tight junctions between the sertoli cells. it needs to be this way because otherwise the body would attack the haploid spermatids

Question 12

what changes occur during speriogenesis

Answer 12

formation of the acrosome, nuclear condensation and elongation, development of the flagellum, and loss of cytoplasm

Question 13

what is the acrosome?

Answer 13

contains hydrolytic enzymes for penetrating the ovum

Question 14

what do leydig cells produce? what do the look like?

Answer 14

they produce testosterone. they are found in the interstitium. they have lots of SER and have a prominent nucleolus

Question 15

what do sertoli cells do?

Answer 15

facilitate nutrient exchange. act as a barrier. secrete androgen binding proteins

Question 16

what affects do LH and FSH have on the testis?

Answer 16

LH- causes leydig cells to produce testosterone. FSH- causes sertoli cells to produce androgen binding protein

Question 17

what type of cells are in the epithelium of the straight tubules

Answer 17

simple cuboidal epithelium

Question 18

what type of cells are in the epithelium of the rete testis

Answer 18

simple cuboidal epithelium

Question 19

what type of cells are in the epithelium of the epididymis?

Answer 19

pseudostratified columnar w/ long stereocilia. they have “principle cells” and “basal cells” in the pseudostratification

Question 20

at what point do spermatozoa become motile

Answer 20

in the epididymis

Question 21

is there smooth muscle in the epididymis?

Answer 21

yes

Question 22

where is the sperm stored before it is released?

Answer 22

epididymis

Question 23

what is the epithelial structure of the vas deferens

Answer 23

pseudostratified columnar w/ sterecilia

Question 24

how is the epididymis wall different from the vas deferens

Answer 24

the vas deferens has a much more muscular wall

Question 25

what are the mucous secreting urethral glands found in the male

Answer 25

glands of littre

Question 26

what is the structure of the epithelium in the spongy urethra?

Answer 26

stratified columnar, transitioning to stratified squamous

Question 27

describe the musculature of the vas deferens

Answer 27

inner longitudinal/ circular muscle/ outer longitudinal

Question 28

what is the epithelia of seminal vesicles?

Answer 28

pseudostratified epithelium

Question 29

what do seminal vesicles secrete?

Answer 29

fructose rich nutrient that spermatozoa use for energy

Question 30

describe the concentric muscles of the prostate

Answer 30

1. central zone- major site of prostatic hyperplasia 2. transition zone- contains ejaculatory ducts 3. peripheral zone- comprise the majority of the prostate and where is most cancers occur

Question 31

where are bulbourethral glands located?

Answer 31

the lie superior (deep) to the perineal membrane

Question 32

what types of cells are found in the epithelium of the bulbourethral glands? what are its secretions?

Answer 32

simple cuboidal. clear mucous

Question 33

what are the 3 main components of the penis

Answer 33

two groups of corpus cavernosum- more erectile. one group corpus spongiosum- contains urethra, less erectile

Question 34

what type of tissue is the glans of the penis?

Answer 34

corpus songiosum

Question 35

what is the sheath that separates the corpus spongiosum and corpus cavernosum from each other

Answer 35

tunica albugniea