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Male Reproductive Tracts Flashcards

(93 cards)

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1
Q

Tunica albuginea

A

A thick, dense collagenous capsule enclosing the testis

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2
Q

What divides the testis into lobules

A

Fibrous septa

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3
Q

Number of lobules in testis

A

250

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4
Q

What does each testicular lobule contain

A

Up to 4 germ-cell producing seminiferous tubules

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5
Q

Seminiferous tubule

A

A 50cm loop
Open at both ends

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6
Q

Rete testis

A

A network of channels that collect sperm from the seminiferous tubules and deliver it to the epididymis

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7
Q

What do seminiferous tubules drain into

A

Rete testis

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8
Q

Length of seminiferous epithelium in 2 testes

A

1km

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9
Q

Leydig cells

A

Produce testosterone

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10
Q

Where are leydig cells located

A

In clumps between the loops of seminiferous tubules

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11
Q

What lines the seminiferous tubules

A

Stratified epithelium consisting of supporting Sertoli cells and cells of the germ line (developing spermatozoa)

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12
Q

Cells at the peripheral of each seminiferous tubule

A

Spermatogonia

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13
Q

Structure of spermatogonia

A

germinal epithelium that produces large cells with speckled chromatin within their nuclei

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14
Q

Where do spermatocytes develop from

A

Spermatogonia

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15
Q

Function of Sertoli cells

A

Form blood-testis barrier
Nurture the developing sperm

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16
Q

How long does sperm production take

A

64 days

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17
Q

Wave of maturation

A

Sperm maturation
Passes slowly down each tubule

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18
Q

Consequence of failure of the blood-testis barrier

A

Individual would recognise sperm as non-self and raise antibodies against them
Destroy sperm rendering him infertile

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19
Q

How to recognise Sertoli cells

A

Pale-staining irregular nucleus

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20
Q

What encloses each seminiferous tubule

A

A thin fibrous collagenous capsule

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21
Q

Cells towards the centre of the seminiferous tubule

A

Depends on phase of spermatogenesis cycle

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22
Q

How to recognise primary and secondary spermatocytes or spermatids

A

Small dense round nucleus

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23
Q

How to recognise spermatozoa

A

Narrow elongated nuclei- heads

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24
Q

At what stage of development of sperm does reduction division take place

A

First meiotic division occurs when the primary spermatocytes become secondary spermatocytes

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25
Where does the reduction division take place in relation to the blood-testis barrier
Occurs on luminal side of barrier where the developing spermatids are not in direct contact with the blood stream - prevents production of auto-antibodies that would destroy the sperm
26
What lines the Rete testis
Cuboidal epithelium
27
Structure of epididymis
Single long (5cm) coiled tube surrounded by a thick fibrous capsule
28
Attachment of epididymis
Mediastinum of testis posteirorlj
29
Length of epididymis
5cm
30
Function of epididymis
Storage and maturation site for sperm
31
What lines the epididymis
Tall pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium Small rounded basal cells support tall columnar cells with stereocilia (very long microvilli)
32
Function of columnar cells with stereocilia in epididymis
Re-absorb excess testicular fluid Phagocytose damaged sperm and cell debris Provide nutrients for waiting sperm
33
What surrounds the epididymis
A thin layer of smooth muscle which becomes thicker and multi-layered as it approaches the vas deferens
34
What is unique about stereocilia
Not motile and do not have a core of microtubules- unlike cilia
35
Structure of vas deferens
Spirally arranged layers of smooth muscle
36
Lining of vas deferens
Pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium (less tall than epididymis) Small rounded basal cells supporting columnar cells with microvilli (shorter than epididymis) Sometimes thrown into longitudinal folds supported by a laminated propria
37
What helps to expel sperm during ejaculation
Sudden and rhythmic contractions of the vas deferens
38
What does the internal spermatic fascia enclose
Vas deferens Testicular artery Nerves Lymphatics Veins
39
Number of layer of smooth muscle in wall of vas deferens
2
40
How to histologically differentiate between vas deferens and other vessels running in The cord
Thicker smooth muscle wall in vas deferens Pseudo-stratified epithelium in vas deferens whereas simple squamous endothelium in arteyr
41
Structure of seminal vesicles
Long, highly coiled glands Double layered capsule of smooth muscle
42
Location of seminal vesicles
Postero-inferior wall of bladder
43
Lining of seminal vesicles
Columnar Epithelium thrown into long, narrow folds
44
What stimulates cells of seminal vesicles
Testosterone
45
Function of cells lining seminal vesicles
Enlarge in response to testosterone Secrete a creamy opalescent fluid with an acid pH
46
Composition of semen
Acid pH Rich in globulin, vitamin C, amino acids and sugar (notably fructose - major nutrient for sperm)
47
Structure of prostate gland
50 branched tubular glands embedded in a strong matrix composed mainly of smooth muscle Surrounded by a thick capsule of smooth muscle
48
Arrangement of glands in prostate gland
3 concentric layers - mucosal, submucosal and main Discharge by separate ducts into prostatic urethra
49
Where does contents of the ejaculatory duct come from
Sperm and secretions of the seminal vesicles
50
Shape of prostate glands
Varies from relatively straight tubes to coiled or branching tubes Epithelium thrown into broad branching folds
51
Testosterone and prostate gland cells
Increase in height and secrete a range of digestive enzymes - notably acid phosphates
52
What is seen in lumen of prostate glands
Secretory product Occasionally solid (calcified) glycoprotein aggregates
53
Excessive benign growth of prostate gland epithelium
May occur in middle to old age May lead to compression of urethra and urine retention
54
Divisions of the male urethra
Prostatic, membranous and penile
55
Lining of membranous and penile urethra
Pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium (mostly non-secreting) Except at its distal end- stratified squamous epithelium within the glans penis
56
Lining of penile urethra within glans penis
Stratified squamous epithelium
57
Location of bulbo-urethra glands
Discharge into membranous urethr
58
What encloses the penile urethra
Corpus spongiosum
59
Function of bulbo-urethra glands
Produce a watery galactose-rich secretion that precedes the main ejaculate
60
What can cause resistance when inserting a catheter trans-urethrally
Toip of catheter can be diverted into the blind-ended bulbo-urethral glands
61
Structure of the shaft of the penis
Contains 2 dorsal corpora cavernosa and 1 ventral corpus spongiosum that at its distal end becomes the glans penis
62
Arterial supply to erectile compartments of penis
Helicine branches of pudendal artery
63
How does the epithelium inside the foreskin (prepuce) differ to that of the rest of the penis
Stratified squamous keratinised epithelium - very thin and very lightly keratinised Prone to ingress if invading organisms eg HIV
64
Control of erection
Parasympathetic- pelvic splanchnic nerves
65
Control of ejaculation
Sympathetic- hypogastric plexus
66
Average weight of testis
15-19g
67
3 layers of capsule surrounding testis - outer to inner
Tunica vaginalis Tunica albuginea Tunica vasculosa
68
Tunica vaginalis
Projection of peritoneum Mesothelial cells on a basement membrane Parietal and visceral layer
69
Composition of tunica albuginea
Collagen fibres with some fibroblasts, myocytes and nerve firbes
70
Tunica vasculosa
Loose connective tissue containing blood vessels and lymphatics
71
Types of Spermatogonia
Type A (Ad and Ap) Type B
72
Type Ad Spermatogonia
Darkly stained stem cells
73
Type Ap Spermatogonia
Pale stained cells
74
Type B Spermatogonia
Differentiating progenitor cells Spherical nuclei with densely stained masses of chromatin
75
Development of germ cells
Spermatogonia Primary spermatocytes Secondary spermatocytes Spermatids Spermatozoon
76
Nuclei of Sertoli cells
Irregularly shaped Folded Have a prominent nucleolus
77
Structure of spermatozoa
Head- acrosomal cap and nucleus Mid piece - spiral mitochondria Tail- neck (centrioles), axoneme and plasma membrsne
78
Axoneme
Motility of spermatozoa
79
Reinke’s crystalloids
Found in leydig cells Intracytoplasmis eosinophilic crystals not seen before puberty More common with increasing age
80
Number of efferent ducts after Rete testis
12-15 convoluted ducts which empty into epididymis
81
Efferent ducts
Lined by ciliated and non ciliated simple columnar epithelium interspersed with cuboidal basal cells
82
Weight of prostate in young adult
20g
83
Lobes of prostate
Anterior Middle 2 lateral
84
Regions of prostate
Peripheral Central Transitional Peri-urethral
85
Ducts of prostate
Large primary Small secondary
86
Acini of prostate
30-50 tubuloalveolar glands with convoluted edges
87
Prostate acini lining
Secretory cells Basal cells- form a continuous layer of Neuroendocrine cells
88
What do secretory cells of prostate secrete
PSA PAP
89
Function of PSA
Liquifies semen after ejaculation
90
Stroma of prostate
Smooth muscle Fibroelastic fibres Blood vessels Nerves
91
What is contained within epithelial cells of seminal vesicles
Vacuoles Lipofuscin
92
What produces the bulk of seminal fluid
Prostate Seminal vesicles Cowper’s glands
93
What produces spermatozoa
Seminiferous tubules in testis

Histology (17 decks)

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