Histology Of Male Genital System Flashcards
What are the main components of the Male Reproductive System?
Testis, Genital ducts, Accessory glands, Penis
What is the primary function of the Male Reproductive System?
Production of spermatozoa, Production of hormones, Production of secretion
What covers the testis?
Tunica albuginea , thickened posteriorly as Mediastinum testis
What structure divides the testis into testicular lobules?
Fibrous septa
Each lobule contain 2 Seminiferous tubules
What are seminiferous tubules embedded in?
Loose connective tissue rich in blood and lymphatic vessels, nerves, and interstitial cells
What type of epithelium lines the seminiferous tubules?
Stratified epithelium, also known as seminiferous epithelium or germinal epithelium
What are the components of the seminiferous epithelium?
- Spermatogonia
- Primary spermatocyte
- Secondary spermatocyte
- Spermatid
- Sertoli cells
What is the role of myoid cells in the seminiferous tubules?
Contractile cells that help in the movement of sperm
When does sperm production begin and how long does it continue?
Begins at puberty and continues throughout life (no menopause)
What are the stages of sperm development?
- Proliferation
- Growth
- 1st maturation division (meiosis)
- 2nd maturation division (mitosis)
What forms the head of the sperm?
Nucleus
What is the function of the acrosome?
Secretes enzymes that facilitate penetration of the ovum
What provides energy to the tail of the sperm?
Mitochondria forming a helical sheath around the axial filament
What is the composition of semen?
- Sperms produced by the testis
- Fluid secretion from seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbo-urethral glands
What is the normal volume of one ejaculate?
2-3 cc = (200-300) million sperm
(1 cc = 100 million sperms )
How many sperms are considered fertile per cc of semen?
20 million sperms/cc
What is the pathway of sperm during ejaculation?
Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct → Urethra
What are Sertoli cells and their functions?
- Support, nutrition, and protection of developing spermatozoa
- Phagocytosis
- Secretion of androgen binding protein
- Production of Anti-Müllerian hormone
- Formation of blood-testis barrier
- Production of inhibin B, which suppresses FSH
What fills the interstitial tissue in the testis?
Loose connective tissue
What are leading cells :
additional cell type, the Leydig cell is found
• It has the characteristics of steroid secreting cell
• It synthesizes and secretes testosterone
What epithelium lines the straight ductules and Rete testis?
Simple cuboidal epithelium
What is the structure and function of the ductus epididymis?
Highly coiled tube lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, containing mature sperms
What are the muscular layers of the vas deferens?
- Inner longitudinal
- Middle circular
- Outer longitudinal
What is the prostate gland surrounded by?
Fibroelastic capsule
What is the function of prostatic fluid?
Contributes to semen composition
What are corpora amylacea?
Small, round, laminated structures found within the prostatic glands, composed of glycoproteins and calcified material
What are the three cylindrical masses of the penis composed of?
Erectile tissue with venous spaces lined with endothelial cells
What supplies blood to the sinuses in the penis?
Helicine arteries
What happens during erection?
Dilatation of arteries leads to engorgement of vascular arteries, compressing venous outflow
What is the type of dementia fluid and what type of sugar it contains ?
Alkaline fluid , Fructose for nourishing the sperms
Mention the abnormal shapes of sperms ?
Giant , microsperm , double head , double body , long head , rough head , abnormal middle
Define Sertoli cells :
Pyramidal cells occupy the whole
width of seminiferous tubules
Partially envelope cells of
spermatogenic lineage
• The base is on the basal
lamina while the apex at
the lumen of the tubule
• Borders are ill defined
• Nucleus is pyramidal with prominent nucleolus
What is the interstitial space ?
Found btwn seminiferous tubules
The interstitial tissue contains :
Fibroblasts , mast cells , macrophages , undifferentiated connective tissue cells
