7. Male Reproductive Histology (Z. Rose-Reneau)

Question 1

What sort of epithelium is found within the duct of the epididymis?

Answer 1

“Principal cells”

(Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia.)

Question 2

What is the pathway for the generation of an erection?

Answer 2

Parasympathetic nervous system -> ↑ NO -> ↑ guanylyl cyclase -> ↑ cGMP -> ↓ Ca2+ -> smooth muscle relaxation -> ↑ blood flow into erectile sinusoids -> compression of veins of penis -> erection.

Question 3

What are the roles of type A and type B spermatogonia?

Answer 3

Type A spermatagonia remain stem cells.

Type B spermatagonia become mature sperm.

Question 4

During a digital rectal exam, which zone of the prostate is being palpated?

Answer 4

The peripheral zone.

(The peripheral zone occupies the posterior and lateral parts of the gland.)

Question 5

What sort of epithelium do we see in the seminal vesicle?

Answer 5

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium. (Non ciliated.)

Question 6

What sort of epithelium is found in the efferent ductules of the testis?

Answer 6

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium.

Question 7

What sort of epithelium is found in the rete testis?

Answer 7

Simple cuboidal to low columnar epithelium.

Question 8

What occurs during the acrosome phase of spermatogenesis?

Answer 8

The spermatid orients itself so the head is embedded in the Sertoli cell and points toward the basal lamina.

The developing flagellum extends into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule.

Manchette is formed from the cytoplasmic microtubules and assists in protein trafficking.

Question 9

What occurs during the cap phase of spermatogenesis?

Answer 9

Acrosomal vesicle enlarges and spreads to form a cap.

The nuclear envelope attaches to the acrosomal sac.

Question 10

What number four chromosomes and DNA to be assigned to 1° spermatocytes, 2° spermatocytes, and spermatids?

Answer 10

1° spermatocytes: 2n 4d

2° spermatocytes: 1n 2d

Spermatids: 1n 1d

Question 11

What are the seven steps of the sperm pathway?

Answer 11

Seminiferous tubule.

Straight tubule (tubulus rectus).

Rete testis.

Efferent ductule.

Epididymal duct.

Ductus deferens.

Ejaculatory duct.

(Then into the urethra.)

Question 12

What histological structure is this?

Answer 12

The epididymis.

Question 13

What forms a capsule around the corpora cavernosa and and corpus spongiosum in the penis?

Answer 13

The tunica albuginea.

Question 14

What is secreted by the bulbourethral glands?

Answer 14

Lactose, sialic acid, methylpentose.

Preseminal fluid.

Question 15

Which zone of the prostate is responsible for swelling causing benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Answer 15

The transitional zone, which surrounds the prostatic urethra.

Question 16

What enzyme helps to decrease smooth muscle relaxation in order to initiate termination of erection?

What does this enzyme do?

Answer 16

Phosphodiesterase.

Breaks down cGMP.

Question 17

What is the function of the seminal vesicles?

Answer 17

Secretion of a whitish, yellow viscous fluid which contains fructose, amino acids, ascorbic acid, and prostaglandins to nourish sperm.

Question 18

What cell type is responsible for the blood-testis barrier?

Answer 18

Sertoli cells.

Question 19

What occurs during the maturation phase of spermatogenesis?

Answer 19

Excess cytoplasm is removed as residual bodies creating mature spermatozoa.

Spermatids are released from Sertoli cells into the lumen of seminiferous tubules.

Question 20

What can happen if the blood-testis barrier is compromised?

Answer 20

The male’s own immune system can attack his spermatids.

Question 21

Excessive thickening of the lamina propria of the seminiferous tubule is associated with what clinical symptom?

Answer 21

Infertility.

Question 22

In the erectile tissue, the deep artery of the penis branches into which arteries?

Answer 22

The Helicine arteries

Question 23

What sort of epithelium do we expect to see in the bulbourethral glands?

Answer 23

Simple columnar epithelium.

Question 24

What sort of epithelium would would expect to find in the prostate?

Answer 24

Simple columnar or pseudostratified columnar epithelium.

Question 25

What is the function of sildenafil?

Answer 25

Inhibits phosphodiesterase.

Question 26

What histological features can one use to identify a Leydig cell?

Answer 26

Lipid droplets.

Crystals of Reinke.

Their location outside the seminiferous tubules.

Question 27

What histological structures this?

Answer 27

The vas deferens.

Question 28

What do we call the thickening of the tunica albuginea near the epididymis?

What is contained within that structure?

Answer 28

The mediastinum testis.

The rete testis

Question 29

What occurs during the golgi phase of spermatogenesis?

Answer 29

Hydrolytic enzymes from the golgi coalesce into the acrosomal vesicle.

Centrioles migrate to the posterior pole and begin forming the axoneme of the spermatic tail.

Question 30

What does one lobule of the testis consist of?

Answer 30

Seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells.

Question 31

What is surrounded by the corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa of the penis, respectively?

Answer 31

The corpus spongiosum surrounds the spongy urethra.

The corpora cavernosa surround the deep artery of the penis.