33- Male Reproductive Histology

Question 1

The male reproductive system is responsible for production, nourishment, and temporary storage of ________, as well as synthesis and secretion of male sex hormones, called ________.

Answer 1

Sperm

Androgens

Question 2

This structure is involved in sperm and androgen production.

Answer 2

Testes

Question 3

These structures are involved in sperm transport.

Answer 3

Epididymis
Ductus Deferens
Ejaculatory Duct
Urethra

Question 4

These structures are involved in semen production and sperm nutrient source.

Answer 4

Seminal Vesicle
Prostate Gland
Bulbourethral Glands

Question 5

This is a copulatory organ with erectile tissue.

Answer 5

Penis

Question 6

These are paired organs located in the scrotum, posteriorly associated with the epididymis.

Answer 6

Testes

Question 7

The testes contains a dense CT capsule called the ________ _______, which thickens posteriorly and forms the ________ ________.

Answer 7

Tunica Albuginea

Mediastinum Testis

Question 8

This is derived from peritoneum and consists of two layers. The outer parietal layer lines the scrotum, and inner visceral layer covers the Tunica Albuginea.

Answer 8

Tunica Vaginalis

Question 9

These are septa that create 250-300 lobules containing 1-4 convoluted _________ _________ lined with seminiferous epithelium. These are within the testes.

Answer 9

Seminiferous Tubules

Question 10

What type of cells are in the Seminiferous Epithelium of the Seminiferous Tubules?

Answer 10

Sertoli Cells

Spermatogenic Cells

Question 11

Seminiferous Tubules are surrounded by CT and 3-5 layers of ________ ________ ________.

Answer 11

Peritubular Myoid Cells

Question 12

These cells are found in between Seminiferous Tubules and are close to blood vessels and lymphatic channels.

Answer 12

Interstitial Cells of Leydig

Question 13

Interstitial Cells of Leydig are ________-producing cells containing lipid droplets, mitochondria, and a well-developed sER. They are accompanied by myoid cells and fibroblasts.

Answer 13

Steroid

Question 14

These are columnar cells with extensive processes that surround spermatogenic cells and occupy the spaces between them. They organize tubules and extend the full thickness of the Seminiferous Epithelium.

Answer 14

Sertoli Cells

Question 15

What is the hallmark of Sertoli Cells?

Answer 15

Cyclops nucleus

Question 16

These cells within the Seminiferous Epithelium replicate and differentiate into mature sperm.

Answer 16

Spermatogenic Cells

Question 17

These are the most immature type of Spermatogenic Cells, and they rest on the basal lamina.

Answer 17

Spermatogonia

Question 18

These type of Spermatogenic Cells are most mature and are attached to the apical portion of Sertoli Cells, near the tubule lumen.

Answer 18

Spermatids

Question 19

These are “nurse” cells with crypts supporting 30-50 germ cells. They function in exchange/transport of metabolites and nutritive factors into lumen, exocrine and endocrine secretion, and phagocytose residual bodies (spermiogenesis) and effete spermatogenic cells.

Answer 19

Sertoli Cells

Question 20

Sertoli cells are bound by tight junctions to form this complex that creates 50+ parallel lines of fusion along basolateral membranes.

Answer 20

Sertoli Cell-to-Sertoli Cell Junctional Complex

Question 21

The Sertoli Cell-to-Sertoli Cell Junctional Complex establishes what barrier?

Answer 21

Blood Testis Barrier

Question 22

This type of Spermatogenic Cell is clonally divided (mitosis) and located near the basement membrane. They consist of two types, Type A and Type B.

Answer 22

Spermatogonia

Question 23

This type of Spermatogonia generates copies of itself and/or differentiates into Type B Spermatogonia.

Answer 23

Type A Spermatogonia

Question 24

Type B Spermatogonia enter meiotic prophase as _________ _________.

Answer 24

Primary Spermatocytes

Question 25

Spermatocytes undergo two meiotic divisions and are inside the Blood Testis Barrier. What are the steps from Primary Spermatocyte to reach Spermatids?

Answer 25

Primary Spermatocytes ---> Secondary Spermatocytes ---> Spermatids

Question 26

Briefly describe the full Spermatogenic Cell sequence.

Answer 26

Type A Spermatogonia (stem cells) ---> MITOSIS Type B Spermatogonia ---> Primary Spermatocytes ---> FIRST MEIOTIC DIVISION Secondary Spermatocytes ---> SECOND MEIOTIC DIVISION Spermatids ---> SPERMIOGENESIS Mature Spermatozoa

Question 27

Sertoli-Sertoli Junctional Complex divides epithelium into what compartments?

Answer 27

Basal Compartment | Adluminal Compartment

Question 28

Spermatogonia and early Primary Spermatocytes are restricted to the (BASAL/ADLUMINAL) Compartment.

Answer 28

Basal

Question 29

Mature Spermatocytes and Spermatids are restricted to the (BASAL/ADLUMINAL) Compartment.

Answer 29

Adluminal

Question 30

Early Spermatocytes must pass through the Sertoli-Sertoli Junctional Complex to move from the (BASAL/ADLUMINAL) Compartment to the (BASAL/ADLUMINAL) Compartment.

Answer 30

Basal | Adluminal

Question 31

The Blood Testis Barrier isolates haploid _______ ______ (Secondary Spermatocytes, Spermatids, and Sperm) from the systemic circulation.

Answer 31

Germ Cells

Question 32

Spermatids undergo Spermiogenesis. _________ Spermatids are housed in niches of Sertoli Cells, and ________ Spermatids are housed in apical crypts of Sertoli Cells.

Answer 32

Round (Early) | Elongated (Late)

Question 33

Mature Spermatids are released via __________. This is the process of residual bodies being lost and Mature Spermatids are separated. Spermatozoa are fully formed, but not yet functional, then Sperm are released into the lumen and propelled to the Epididymal Duct.

Answer 33

Spermiation

Question 34

Mature Sperm are comprised what parts?

Answer 34

Head Neck Tail

Question 35

The head of the Sperm contains a flattened and elongated nucleus. It is partially capped by the _________ and contains hydrolytic enzymes.

Answer 35

Acrosome

Question 36

The tail of the Sperm is subdivided into what parts?

Answer 36

Middle Piece Principal Piece End Piece

Question 37

This part of the Sperm tail contains mitochondria.

Answer 37

Middle Piece

Question 38

This part of the Sperm tail is the longest.

Answer 38

Principal Piece

Question 39

Briefly list the Sperm Transport Pathway.

Answer 39

Straight Tubules ---> Rete Testis ---> Efferent Ductules ---> Epididymis ---> Ductus Deferens ---> Ejaculatory Duct

Question 40

This is a highly elongated and coiled duct (about 6 m) where the sperm mature and develop its head, neck, and tail.

Answer 40

Epididymis

Question 41

The Epididymis is made of what type of epithelium?

Answer 41

Pseudostratified Columnar with long Stereocilia

Question 42

The Epididymis has ________ ________, which are columnar cells extending from the lumen to the basal lamina with stereocilia. There are also Stem Cells of these cells within the Epididymis.

Answer 42

Principal Cells

Question 43

The Epididymis consists of thin, circular layers of smooth muscle cells. In the tail region there is an addition of inner and outer _________ layers.

Answer 43

Longitudinal

Question 44

Sperm maturation consists in acquiring _______ _______, and mature sperm are stored in the tail of the epididymis.

Answer 44

Forward Motility

Question 45

This is a 45-cm long muscular tube lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelia with sparse stereocilia. It is supported by a CT lamina propria with elastic fibers.

Answer 45

Ductus Deferens

Question 46

The Ductus Deferens has a muscular wall consisting of an inner and outer _________ layers, and a middle _________ layer.

Answer 46

Longitudinal | Circular

Question 47

The external layer of the Ductus Deferens consists of loose CT and _________.

Answer 47

Adipocytes

Question 48

The _________ of the Ductus Deferens is the dilated portion that leads directly into the Prostate Gland.

Answer 48

Ampulla

Question 49

The distal end of the Ductus Deferens receive the ducts of the Seminal Vesicle, forming ________ ________.

Answer 49

Ejaculatory Ducts

Question 50

What are the accessory glands of the male reproductive system?

Answer 50

Seminal Vesicles (2) Prostate Gland Bulbourethral Glands (2) Urethral Glands

Question 51

Seminal Vesicles and Prostate Gland produce the majority of seminal fluid. Function is regulated by _________ (testosterone and DHT).

Answer 51

Androgens

Question 52

The Seminal Vesicles produce an alkaline secretion rich in _________ and _________. Contributes to semen (70%).

Answer 52

Fructose | Prostaglandins

Question 53

The excretory duct of the Seminal Vesicles penetrates the ________ after joining with the _______ _______ to form the Ejaculatory Duct.

Answer 53

Prostate | Ductus Deferens

Question 54

The Seminal Vesicles have an external CT capsule. It also has highly folded mucosa lined by _________ _________ epithelium and an inner _________ and outer _________ smooth muscle layer.

Answer 54

Pseudostratified Columnar Circular Longitudinal

Question 55

This is a collection of 30-50 tubuloacinar glands embedded in a dense fibromuscular stroma with a CT capsule.

Answer 55

Prostate Gland

Question 56

The Prostate Glands are arranged in zones around the urethra. What are these zones?

Answer 56

Transitions Zone Central Zone Peripheral Zone

Question 57

This zone of the Prostate Gland surrounds the superior urethra and contains periurethral mucosal glands.

Answer 57

Transition Zone (5%)

Question 58

This zone of the Prostate Gland is posterior to the Transition Zone and encircles the ejaculatory ducts and contains periurethral submucosal glands with longer ducts.

Answer 58

Central Zone (25%)

Question 59

This zone of the Prostate Gland makes up the bulk of the gland and contains main glands with still longer ducts.

Answer 59

Peripheral Zone (70%)

Question 60

In the Prostate Gland, individual glands converge but all empty into the _______ _______, which is the end site of prostatic ducts (prostatic secretions) and ejaculatory ducts (semen and secretions from seminal vesicles).

Answer 60

Prostatic Urethra

Question 61

In the Prostate, glands are lined by _______ _______ or ________ epithelium. The lumen contains ________ ________, which are concretions rich in glycoproteins and Ca2+ deposits.

Answer 61

Simple Columnar Pseudostratified Corpora Amylacea

Question 62

The Prostate produces a _______-rich alkaline fluid that neutralizes the acidic environment of the vagina. It also provides nutrients and transports sperm and liquefies semen.

Answer 62

Zinc

Question 63

These are compound tubuloalveolar glands under the control of testosterone. They are lined with simple columnar epithelium.

Answer 63

Bulbourethral Glands

Question 64

The Bulbourethral Glands produce a clear, mucus-like secretion that is a major component of ________ fluid. This fluid lubricates the penile urethra and neutralizes traces of acidic urine.

Answer 64

Pre-seminal

Question 65

The penis consists of cylindrical, columnar masses of erectile tissue. These are...

Answer 65

``` Corpora Cavernosa (2) Corpus Spongiosum (contains penile urethra) ```

Question 66

T/F. All three erectile tissues of the penis are comprised of irregular, interconnected vascular sinuses with fibrocollagenous stroma.

Answer 66

True

Question 67

This is the distal tip of the Corpus Spongiosum.

Answer 67

Glans Penis

Question 68

The Corpora Cavernosa are each surrounded by a dense fibroelastic layer called the...

Answer 68

Tunica Albuginea

Question 69

An _________ involves blood filling the cavernous spaces of erectile tissues, controlled by ANS in the vascular walls.

Answer 69

Erection

Question 70

(SYMPATHETIC/PARASYMPATHETIC) relax trabecular smooth muscle and dilate helicine arteries, which increases blood flow and filling of cavernous spaces.

Answer 70

Parasympathetic

Question 71

Enlargement compresses dorsal veins against the _______ _______, which blocks venous outflow and produces rigidity in erectile tissues.

Answer 71

Tunica Albuginea

Question 72

At ejaculation, (SYMPATHETIC/PARASYMPATHETICS) constrict helicine arteries and trabecular muscle, which decreases blood flow into spaces, allowing the veins to drain most of the blood.

Answer 72

Sympathetic