11(a). Male Reproductive Tract Flashcards
What are the testes?
Paired organ in scrotum
What is the average weight of the testes?
15-19g
What are the 3 layers of the testes capsules?
- Tunica vaginalis
- Tunica albuginea
- Tunica vasculosa
Describe the tunica vaginalis.
Flattened layer of mesothelial cells
Describe the tunica albuginea.
Collagen fibres with some fibroblasts, myocytes and nerve fibres
Descibe the tunica vasculosa.
Loose connective tissue containing blood vessels and lymphatics
How is testicular parencyma divided?
Into lobules by septa originating from the capsule
How many lobules are there per testis?
~250
How many seminiferous tubules sone 1 lobule contain?
1-4
What do seminiferous tubules contain?
Germ cells in varying stages of maturation and sertoli cells
Describe the appearance of Type B differentiating progenitor cells.
Spherical nuclei with densely stained masses of chromatin
Describe the appearance of Type A spermatogonia.
Darkly stained stem cells (Ad) and pale stained (Ap) cells
What do Type A spermatogonia become?
Primary spermatocytes
What do primary spermatocytes become?
Secondary spermatocytes
What do secondary spermatocytes become?
Spermatids
What do spermatids become?
Spermatozoon
What are sertoli cells?
Columnar cells on the basement membrane of the tubule
What are the functions of sertoli cells?
- Send cytoplasmic projections around germ cells
- Have supportive, phagocytic and secretory functions
Describe sertoli nuclei.
Nuclei are irregularly shaped, folded and have prominent nucleolus to distinguish from germ cells
What are the sections of spermatozoa?
Head, midpiece and tail
What does the head of the spermatozoa contain?
Acrosomal cap and nucleus
What does the midpiece of spermatozoa contain?
Spiral mitochondria
What does the tail of a spermatozoa contain?
Centrioles, axoneme and plasma membrane
Describe Leydig cells.
- Present singly in clusters in the interstitium between tubercles
- Abundant cytoplasm containing lipid
- Reinke’s crytalloids
What do Leydig cells produce?
Testosterone
What are the rete testis?
Anastomosing network of tubules at the hilum of the testis
What do the rete testis receive?
Luminal contents from seminiferous tubules
What are rete testis lined by?
Simple squamous or low columnar epithelium on a relatively thick basement membrane
What to the rete testis have at the luminal surface?
Cilia
What are efferent ducts?
12-15 convoluted tubules which empty into epididymis
What are efferent ducts lined by?
Ciliated and non ciliated simple columnar epithelium with interspersed cuboidal cells (basal) to give a pseudostratified appearance
What is the epididymis?
A tubular structure 4-5cm long containing a highly convoluted epididymal duct (5m)
What is the epididymis lined by?
Tall columnar cells with long atypical cilia
The epithelium of the epididymis is supported by what?
A thick basement membrane surrounding which is a well defined muscular coat
What is the vas deferens?
30-40cm tubular structure arising from the caudal portion of epididymis
The distal part of the vas deferens is enlarged to form what?
The ampulla which joins the excretory duct of the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct
The vas deferens is lined by what?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium comprising columnar and basal cells
Describe the muscular wall of the vas deferens.
Thick muscular wall of 3 layers
What is the prostate?
Pear shaped glandular organ
How heavy is the prostate in young adults?
Up to 20g
Where is the prostate positioned?
Surrounds the neck and prostatic urethra
How many lobes does the prostate have and what are they called?
5
- Anterior
- Middle
- Posterior
- 2 lateral lobes
What are the 4 gland regions in the prostate?
- Peripheral
- Central
- Transitional
- Peri-urethral
What is the prostate covered by?
An ill-defined fibro-connective tissue capsule
What are the ducts of the prostate?
Large primary and small secondary
Describe the acini of the prostate.
30-50 tubuloalveolar glands with convoluted edges
What are prostatic acini lined by?
Secretory cells, basal cells and neuroendocrine cells
What do secretory cells in the luminal side of the prostate gland secrete?
PSA and PAP into the seminal fluid
Describe the stroma of the prostate.
- Smooth muscle
- Fibroelastic fibres
- Blood vessels
- Nerves
What are seminal vesicles?
Paired highly coiled tubular structures posterolateral to the bladder
What are seminal vesicles lined by?
Tall non-ciliated columnar epithelium
Describe the mucosa of seminal vesicles.
Filded smooth muscles (2 layers) and Adventitia
How many components are there regarding the erectile tissue of the penis?
3
What are the erectile tissues of the penis called?
- Left corpora cavernosa
- Right corpora cavernosa
- Corpus spongiosum
What runs through the corpus spongiosum?
The urethra
What does the erectile tissue comprise?
Irregular vascular spaces separated by fibroelastic tissue and smooth muscle
