Histo: Male Reproductive System Flashcards
The tunica albuginea thickens posterioly forming the ________.
Mediastinum testis
What 2 cell types contain seminiferous epithelium?
- somatic sertoli cells
- spermatogenic cells
What cells are found in between seminiferous tubules?
Interstitial cells of leydig
What is the hallmark of sertoli cells?
Cyclops nucleus
Stratified epithelium
They surround spermatogenic cells and occupy the spaces between them
What is the function of spermatogenic cells?
Replicate and differentiate into mature sperm
How are sertoli cells bound to one another?
Through the sertoli-sertoli complex.
(forms tight junctions)
What is the function of the sertoli-sertoli complex?
It divides the eminiferous epithelium into basal + luminal compartments
Forms the blood-testis barrier
Cells must pass through this Jxn in order to mature
What is the function of the blood-testis barrier?
It isolates haploid germ cells (secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, sperm) from systemic circulation (i.e. immune system)
What is the function of sertoli cells?
“nurse cells”
Exchange substrates/waste
Phagocytose residual bodies + spermatogenic cells that failed to differentiate
What is the function of Interstitial cells of Leydig?
They are steroid producing cells –> testosterone
What is the spermatogenic cell sequence?
Type A spermatogonia –> Type B spermatogonia –> 1 prime spermatocytes –> 2 prime –> spermatids
Round (early) spermatids are housed where?
cytoplasm of sertoli cells
Elongated (late) spermatids are housed where?
in crypts of sertoli cytoplasm –> this is where they undergo spermiogenesis, where they develop an acrosome + tail
How are mature spermatids released?
Spermiation (intercellular bridges –>residual bodies –> lost and mature spermatids are separated
They are then released into the lumen and propelled to the epididymal duct
What is in the principal piece of the tail?
Fibrous sheath –> forward motility
What is in the end piece of the tail?
Axoneme
What is the sperm transport pathway?
What is the acronyom for where sperm are moving?
What is the epidiymis made of?
Pseudostratified columnar w/ branches sterocilia
Principle + basal cells
The ductus (vas) deferns has a lot of ______.
Smooth muscle w/ an ampulla that leads directly into the prostate gland.
Inner + outer longitudinal layers + middle circular layer
What produces the majority of seminal fluid and is regulated by androgens (testosterone + DHT)?
seminal vesicles + prostate gland
What do the seminal vesicles specifically secrete?
Alkaline viscous fluid rich in fructose + prostaglandins.
Contract during ejaculation
What is this?
Prostate gland
What produces a zinc-rich alkaline fluid that neutralizes the acidic vaginal content?
Prostate gland (simple columnar or pseudostradified epithelium w/ corpora amylacea)
Benign prostatic Hypertrophy is what?
Partial/total obstruction of the urethra. Occurs in tansitional and peripheral zones of prostate gland.
What is this?
Bulbourethral glands
(major component of precum for lubrication)
Penis has what?
2 corpora cavernosa on L/R
Ventral corpus spongiosum w/ glans penis @ tip
What are the steps to get an erection?
