3: Anatomy of Testes Flashcards
What is the testes?
A compound tubular gland enclosed in a thick fibrous capsule (tunica albuginea)
What is the thick fibrous capsule of the testes called?
Tunica albuginea
What does he tunica albuginea capsule form posteriorly?
The mediastinum testis
How does the mediastinum testis allow sperm to enter the duct system?
The mediastinum testis contains interconnected channels –> form a passageway for the sperm
SSREED
What do the strong connective tissue in he tunica albuginea do?
Divide the testes into 250 pyramid shaped lobules
What does each lobule of the testes contain?
1-4 highly convoluted seminiferous tubules
What do seminiferous tubules produce?
Spermatozoa
Where are spermatozoa produced?
In the seminiferous tubules inside the pyramids of the testes
What are the seminiferous tubules surrounded by?
Layer of connective tissue with flattened myofibroblasts and an inner basement membrane
What is the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules?
Stratified (seminiferous epithelium)
What types of cell does the seminiferous tubule epithelium consist of? (2 types)
- Sertoli cells (aka supporting cells)
- Spermatogenic cells (germ cells)
Which cells are more abundant, Sertoli or Spermatogenic cells?
Spermatogenic
Where are Sertoli cells?
On the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubule
How are Sertoli and Spermatogenic cells anatomically related?
The Sertoli cells on the BM form processes extending and surround the spermatogenic cells
What do the apical regions of Sertoli cells have?
Recesses where heads of sperms are embedded
How are Spermatogenic cells arranged?
In rows around Sertoli cells
Which Spermatogenic cells rest on the BM?
Spermatogonia (primitive spermatogenic cells)
The cells at later stages of development are at higher up levels of the epithelia nearer the lumen
Where Primary Spermatocytes located?
Adjacent to spermatogonia but nearer to the lumen
What do the nuclei of primary spermatocytes represent?
Different stages of meiosis 1
How do primary spermatocytes become secondary spermatocytes?
Meisos 1
What do secondary spermatocytes become after meiosis 2?
Spermatids
Where are spermatids located?
At the border of the lumen
Ones at top just before the spermatzoa
What do spermatids become when they mature?
Spermatozoa (sperms innit)
Where do the nuclei of spermatozoa embed?
Cytoplasm of Sertoli cells
(Tails hang into lumen of semineferous tubule)
Where are Leydig cells found?
In the connective tissue between seminiferous tubules.
What do leydig cells produce?
Testosterone in the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH)
What is special about the nucleus of leydig cells?
Can contain 1-3 nucleoli
Where does Spermatogenesis occur?
In seminiferous tubules
Where does steroidogenesis occur?
In Leydig cells
Where are the testes contained?
In the scrotal sac
What is the scrotum?
Layer of skin
Superficial fascia
What is found within the superficial fascia of the scrotum?
Dartos muscle