Microanatomy of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems

Question 1

The tunica albuginea divides the testes into ______________.

Answer 1

lobules

Question 2

Inside the lobules are _____________.

Answer 2

seminiferous tubules (where spermatogenesis takes place)

Question 3

After spermatogenesis, what structure do sperm pass through to get to the ductus deferens?

Answer 3

The rete testes

Question 4

Sperm enter the epididymis at the _________.

Answer 4

head of the epididymis

Question 5

Where are Leydig cells?

Answer 5

Outside the tubules

Question 6

Describe what a histologic slide of the seminiferous tubules looks like.

Answer 6

It is divided into ducts. The tissue that surrounds the ducts is spermatogonia.

Question 7

The cells on the basal layer of the seminiferous tubule with larger nuclei are ________________.

Answer 7

spermatogonia

Question 8

The spermatogonia divide to produce ___________.

Answer 8

first spermatocytes (the cells that undergo the first meiosis)

Question 9

Secondary spermatocytes divide to produce ____________.

Answer 9

haploid spermatids (which then develop into sperm)

Question 10

The vasculature is all ___________ to the seminiferous tubules.

Answer 10

outside

Question 11

What lines the inside of the ductus deferens?

Answer 11

Ciliated epithelium that helps propel sperm along

Question 12

The ductus deferens is composed of ______________.

Answer 12

fibromuscular tissue

Question 13

What is in the spermatic cord?

Answer 13

Ductus deferens (largest cord; fibromuscular)
Testicular artery
Pampiniform plexus

Question 14

The vas deferens has three layers of muscle: ___________________.

Answer 14

Innermost: inner longitudinal
Middle: circular
Outmost: outer longitudinal

Question 15

The entire length of the ductus deferens is __________ epithelium.

Answer 15

columnar

Question 16

The _______________ are composed of a honeycomb-like network of fibromuscular tissue.

Answer 16

seminal glands

Question 17

The PSA detects what type of protein?

Answer 17

A protease

Question 18

Primary spermatocytes have what genetic makeup?

Answer 18

4C

Question 19

Secondary spermatocytes have what genetic makeup?

Answer 19

2C

Question 20

Why do the ovaries have a thin covering?

Answer 20

Because the oocytes need to pass through the outer layer

Question 21

Describe the cellular orientation of the ovary.

Answer 21

The oocyte is surrounded by the zona pellucidum. The zona pellucidum is surrounded by granulosa cells. The granulosa cells are surrounded by thecal cells.

Question 22

The capsule of the ovary is within which cell layer?

Answer 22

Thecal

Question 23

When does the oocyte become haploid?

Answer 23

When the second polar body is released (just before fertilization)

Question 24

True or false: spermatozoa are motile.

Answer 24

False. The spermatozoa arise from the spermatogonia, but they are still immotile.

Question 25

The ductuli efferentes lead from the _____________ to the _______________.

Answer 25

rete testis; epididymis

Question 26

What is the ejaculatory duct?

Answer 26

The union of the ductus deferens with the seminal glands

Question 27

Differentiate spermatogenesis from spermiogenesis.

Answer 27

Spermatogenesis: production of male gametes
Spermiogenesis: production of haploid sperm

Question 28

How will Sertoli cells appear on microscopic examination?

Answer 28

Cells on the periphery of the seminiferous tubule with pale nuclei and dark nucleoli

Question 29

How do Sertoli cells help concentrate testosterone in the seminiferous tubules?

Answer 29

First, they form tight junctions that separate the seminiferous tubules from the blood. Second, they secrete androgen-binding protein into the seminiferous tubules, which binds testosterone and traps it in the seminiferous tubules.

Question 30

When do sperm become motile?

Answer 30

Midway through the epididymis

Question 31

Where in the prostate does carcinoma most often present?

Answer 31

On the periphery (this is contrast to BPH, which most often presents in the center)

Question 32

True or false: the deep dorsal vein of the penis is adjacent to the deep penile artery.

Answer 32

False. The deep penile arteries are within the corpus cavernosa, while the deep penile veins are posterior to the corpus cavernosa.

Question 33

What stage are the female germ cells in for the longest time?

Answer 33

Meiosis I; they divide mitotically up to about five months’ gestation and then enter meiosis I until ovulation

Question 34

The ovary is covered by _________________.

Answer 34

germinal epithelium (which is actually just mesothelium that was originally thought to be germinal cell in origin)

Question 35

_____________ follicles become ____________ follicles. Those follicles then acquire a layer of surrounding cells and are called ____________ follicles. During and after puberty, some of those undergo proliferations of thecal and granulosa cells and become _____________ follicles.

Answer 35

Primordial; primary; secondary; Graafian or antral

Question 36

What is the corpus luteum?

Answer 36

The follicle after it has secreted its oocyte

The thecal cells develop into an endocrine organ, but if fertilization does not occur, then the corpus luteum degenerates to the corpus albicans.

Question 37

What hormone leads to the enlargement of the corpus luteum in fertilization?

Answer 37

Human chorionic gonadotropin

Question 38

True or false: the uterus comprises three layers –the myometrium, endometrium, and epimetrium.

Answer 38

False. The outer layer is called the serosal layer.

Question 39

Which part of the uterine wall responds to hormones throughout the menstrual cycle?

Answer 39

The functionalis, which is the most superficial layer of the endometrium (superficial to the basalis). It expands in response to progesterone and shrivels when progesterone ceases.

Question 40

What happens to the mammary glands during pregnancy?

Answer 40

Prolactin stimulates milk production and growth of the glands

Question 41

Looking at a cross section of seminiferous tubules, what cells will appear with broken up chromatin?

Answer 41

Primary spermatocytes (which broke off of spermatogonia and are in meiosis I)

Question 42

How might you be able to distinguish spermatids on histologic cross-section?

Answer 42

They will have long, compact nuclei