7. Male Reproductive Histology (Z. Rose-Reneau) Flashcards
What sort of epithelium is found within the duct of the epididymis?
“Principal cells”
(Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia.)
What is the pathway for the generation of an erection?
Parasympathetic nervous system -> ↑ NO -> ↑ guanylyl cyclase -> ↑ cGMP -> ↓ Ca2+ -> smooth muscle relaxation -> ↑ blood flow into erectile sinusoids -> compression of veins of penis -> erection.
What are the roles of type A and type B spermatogonia?
Type A spermatagonia remain stem cells.
Type B spermatagonia become mature sperm.
During a digital rectal exam, which zone of the prostate is being palpated?
The peripheral zone.
(The peripheral zone occupies the posterior and lateral parts of the gland.)
What sort of epithelium do we see in the seminal vesicle?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium. (Non ciliated.)
What sort of epithelium is found in the efferent ductules of the testis?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium.
What sort of epithelium is found in the rete testis?
Simple cuboidal to low columnar epithelium.
What occurs during the acrosome phase of spermatogenesis?
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.
What occurs during the cap phase of spermatogenesis?
Acrosomal vesicle enlarges and spreads to form a cap.
The nuclear envelope attaches to the acrosomal sac.
What number four chromosomes and DNA to be assigned to 1° spermatocytes, 2° spermatocytes, and spermatids?
1° spermatocytes: 2n 4d
2° spermatocytes: 1n 2d
Spermatids: 1n 1d
What are the seven steps of the sperm pathway?
Seminiferous tubule.
Straight tubule (tubulus rectus).
Rete testis.
Efferent ductule.
Epididymal duct.
Ductus deferens.
Ejaculatory duct.
(Then into the urethra.)
What histological structure is this?
The epididymis.
What forms a capsule around the corpora cavernosa and and corpus spongiosum in the penis?
The tunica albuginea.
What is secreted by the bulbourethral glands?
Lactose, sialic acid, methylpentose.
Preseminal fluid.
Which zone of the prostate is responsible for swelling causing benign prostatic hyperplasia?
The transitional zone, which surrounds the prostatic urethra.
What enzyme helps to decrease smooth muscle relaxation in order to initiate termination of erection?
What does this enzyme do?
Phosphodiesterase.
Breaks down cGMP.
What is the function of the seminal vesicles?
Secretion of a whitish, yellow viscous fluid which contains fructose, amino acids, ascorbic acid, and prostaglandins to nourish sperm.
What cell type is responsible for the blood-testis barrier?
Sertoli cells.
What occurs during the maturation phase of spermatogenesis?
Excess cytoplasm is removed as residual bodies creating mature spermatozoa.
Spermatids are released from Sertoli cells into the lumen of seminiferous tubules.
What can happen if the blood-testis barrier is compromised?
The male’s own immune system can attack his spermatids.
Excessive thickening of the lamina propria of the seminiferous tubule is associated with what clinical symptom?
Infertility.
In the erectile tissue, the deep artery of the penis branches into which arteries?
The Helicine arteries
What sort of epithelium do we expect to see in the bulbourethral glands?
Simple columnar epithelium.
What sort of epithelium would would expect to find in the prostate?
Simple columnar or pseudostratified columnar epithelium.
What is the function of sildenafil?
Inhibits phosphodiesterase.
What histological features can one use to identify a Leydig cell?
Lipid droplets.
Crystals of Reinke.
Their location outside the seminiferous tubules.
What histological structures this?
The vas deferens.
What do we call the thickening of the tunica albuginea near the epididymis?
What is contained within that structure?
The mediastinum testis.
The rete testis
What occurs during the golgi phase of spermatogenesis?
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.
What does one lobule of the testis consist of?
Seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells.
What is surrounded by the corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa of the penis, respectively?
The corpus spongiosum surrounds the spongy urethra.
The corpora cavernosa surround the deep artery of the penis.
