week 1 - histology of the male reproductive system

Question 1

what are the testis?

Answer 1

The testes are paired structures lying in the scrotum

Question 2

what are the testis surrounded by?

Answer 2

Surrounded by a capsule

Question 3

what does each testis consist of?

Answer 3

a number of seminiferous tubules (ST)

Question 4

what do the seminiferous tubules (ST) drain via?

Answer 4

drain via the straight tubules into the rete testis (R)

Question 5

what is the next structure from rete testis? leading to?

Answer 5

the efferent ductules (DE) which lead to the epididymis which is highly coiled

Question 6

what is plastered onto the posterior aspect of the testis?

Answer 6

the epididymis is described as having a head (H), body (B) and tail (T)

Question 7

what are all the different parts of the testis?

Answer 7

C: capsule
ST: seminferous tubule
R: rete testis
DE: efferent ducts
H: head - epididymis
B: body - epididymis
T: tail - epididymis
V: vas deferens

Question 8

what type of epithelium lines the testis?

Answer 8

Seminiferous epithelium

Question 9

what are the cell types of the seminiferous epithelium?

Answer 9

2 cell types:

1. Sertoli cells
2. cells of the germ cell lineage

Question 10

what do the Sertoli cells form?

Answer 10

blood-testis barrier

Question 11

describe the germ cells of seminiferous epithelium

Answer 11

Germ (G) cells (appearing) at various stages of development

Question 12

function of Sertoli cells of seminiferous epithelium

Answer 12

FSH responsive

inhibin secretion

Question 13

where are Leydig cells found?

Answer 13

in seminiferous tubule of testis (as are Sertoli cells)

Question 14

function of Leydig cells of seminiferous tubule of testis?

Answer 14

testosterone secretion

Question 15

which age group is testis tumour commonly seen in?

Answer 15

early life - young people

Question 16

90 – 95% testicular neoplasms are which type?

Answer 16

GERM CELL tumours

Question 17

Seminiferous tubules converges onto what? via?

Answer 17

Seminiferous tubules converge on Rete testis via tubuli recti

Question 18

type of epithelium of rete testis?

Answer 18

simple cuboidal epithelium

Question 19

function of rete testis?

Answer 19

Provides the exit to duct system for male germ cells

Question 20

what connects to rete testis? via?

Answer 20

efferent duct connects rete testis with the head of the epididymis

Question 21

epithelium of efferent duct?

Answer 21

Characteristic scalloped epithelium

outer myoid cells, inner cilia

Question 22

function of efferent duct?

Answer 22

Combined ciliary action and myoid contraction contribute to sperm transport

Question 23

epithelium of epididymis?

Answer 23

Smooth muscle tube lined by pseudostratified epithelium

Question 24

what is epididymis characterised by?

Answer 24

presence of stereocilia

Question 25

cells within epididymis?

Answer 25

outermost: (M) peritubular myoid layer middle: basal cell (B) innermost: (P) principal cells with stereocilia

Question 26

what happens by the time of epididymis?

Answer 26

Sperm maturation is completed (motile)

Question 27

describe vas deferens?

Answer 27

4 layered tube: epithelium 3x smooth muscle

Question 28

epithelium of vas deferens?

Answer 28

pseudostratified columnar

Question 29

types of SM in vas deferens?

Answer 29

outer: (L) longitudinal smooth muscle middle (C) circular smooth muscle inner: (L) longitudinal SM

Question 30

what does vas deferens connect?

Answer 30

Connects epididymis with ejaculatory duct

Question 31

function of vas deferens?

Answer 31

Smooth muscle contracts powerfully during ejaculation

Question 32

describe seminal vesicle

Answer 32

Secretory epithelium - a layer of smooth muscle

Question 33

function of seminal vesicle?

Answer 33

contributes 85% ejaculate volume

Question 34

innervation of seminal vesicle? allows for what?

Answer 34

sympathetic innervation enables discharge of contents into duct

Question 35

histology of prostate?

Answer 35

E: epithelium - white gaps S: fibromuscular stroma - pink area

Question 36

which type of epithelium is found in prostate?

Answer 36

heterogenous: | cuboidal / columnar / pseudostratified

Question 37

describe the prostate (structure linking to function)

Answer 37

Collection of 30 – 50 tubulo-alveolar glands draining into prostatic urethra

Question 38

what merges within prostate?

Answer 38

Ejaculatory ducts merge with urethra within the prostate

Question 39

what is characteristic of prostate stroma?

Answer 39

Characteristic fibromuscular stroma

Question 40

what are the different zones of prostate? (outermost to innermost)

Answer 40

peripheral zone transition zone central zone

Question 41

clinical relevance of transition zone of prostate?

Answer 41

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) | symptomatic much earlier - compresses prostatic urethra

Question 42

clinical relevance of peripheral zone of prostate?

Answer 42

Prostatic carcinoma

Question 43

what lies within the central zone of the prostate?

Answer 43

prostatic urethra

Question 44

what are the most common disorders of the prostate?

Answer 44

hyperplasia and carcinoma: • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) • Prostatic adenocarcinoma