Histology of Male Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

Which ducts move sperm from the testes out of the body?

A
  • Efferent ductules
  • Epididymis
  • Vas deferens
  • Ejaculatory duct
  • Urethra
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2
Q

Which exocrine glands secrete fluids into the ducts and add to the sperm to make semen?

A
  • Seminal vesicles
  • Prostate gland
  • Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) gland
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3
Q

What type of epithelium makes up the seminiferous tubules?

A

Simple columnar epithelium of Sertoli cells

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4
Q

Testes are derived from __________.

A

Intermediate mesoderm

NOTE: This occurs via the surface gonadal ridge. Testes then descend into the scrotum

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5
Q

The epididymis is derived from the ________.

A

Mesonephric duct

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6
Q

Primordial germ cells migrate into the testis from the _______.

A

Yolk sac

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7
Q

__________ (warmer/cooler) blood in testicular artery. ________ (warmer/cooler) blood in pampiniform plexus.

A

Warmer; cooler

NOTE: The pampiniform plexus also plays a role in the temperature regulation of the testes. It acts as a countercurrent heat exchanger, cooling blood in adjacent arteries.

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8
Q

Label

A
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9
Q

Label

A
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10
Q

The functional unit of spermatogenesis is the __________.

A

Seminiferous tubule

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11
Q

Label

A
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12
Q

Blood-testes barrier

A
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13
Q

Weismann Barrier

A

The strict distinction between the “immortal” germ cell lineages producing gametes and “disposable” somatic cells

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14
Q

Label

A
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15
Q

Label

A
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16
Q

Spermatogonia divide via _________ (mitosis/meoisis). Spermatocytes divide via _________ (mitosis/meoisis).

A

Mitosis; meoisis

NOTE: Gwem cells remain conencted via intracellular bridges as they complete cell division and migrate upwards

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17
Q

Cell type summary

A
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18
Q

Label

A
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19
Q

Label

A
  • The primary spermatocytes undergo Meiosis I and divide into two daughter cells, known as secondary spermatocytes, a process which takes 24 days to complete.
  • Each secondary spermatocyte will form two spermatids after Meiosis II.
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20
Q

Spermatogenesis

A
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21
Q

In spermiogenesis, hapoid spermatids become converted into _________.

A

Mature Spermatozoa

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22
Q

Acrosome formation

A

Vesicles move from the Golgi stack and adhere to one pole of the nucleus to fuse into a large acrosomal vesicle

NOTE: Acrosome contains hydrolytic enzymes that will later aid in fertilation of an oocyte

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23
Q

What happens to the nucleus of the sperm as it becomes more developed? How is this achieved

A

The nucleus becomes very small. It is achieved by removing histone proteins from nucleosomes and replacing them with a smaller peptide, protamine

24
Q

Aside from the removal of histone, how else is change in the nucleus of sperm changed?

A

The nucleus passes through a narrow perinuclear ring. The perinuclear ring moves along parallel rows o microtubules comprising the “manchette”

25
Q

_____________ form the center of the flagellum.

A

Centrioles

26
Q

Which cell is the main structural cell of the semineferous tubule?

A

Sertoli cell

27
Q

Components of sertoli cells

A
  • Irregular eucromatic nuclei with prominent nucleoli
  • Numerous tight junctions
28
Q

Functions of sertoli cells

A
  • Tight junctions maintain a blood-testis barrier
  • Secrete sulfated glycoproteins (clusterin) that transport lipids to germ cells
  • Secrete androgen binding protein
  • Secrete transferrin
  • Secrete inhibin, a TGF-b molecule that inhibits FSH secretion
  • Take up glucose from the bloodstream, metabolize it to lactate, and export lactate to germ cells as a nutrient fuel
  • Respond to FSH by stimulating the development of germ cells
29
Q

Structure of Leydig cells

A
  • Mitochondria with tubular cristae
  • Abundant sER
  • Round, eucromatic nuclei

NOTE: Leydig cells may also possess cytoplasmic crystals of Reinke, composed of an uncharacterized protein aggregate

30
Q

Function of leydig cells

A
31
Q

Myoid cells (image)

A
32
Q

What epithelium makes up the rete testis?

A

Simple cuboidal epithelium

33
Q

What accounts for the irregular lumen of efferent ductules?

A
  • Non-ciliated cells
  • Tall ciliated cells
34
Q

The _________ is an anastomosing network of channels located in the testicular hilum, that receives the luminal contents of seminiferous tubules and empties them into the efferent ductules.

A

Rete testis

35
Q

Label

A
36
Q

Components of epididymis

A
  • Tall principial cells
  • Long microvilli (stereocilia)
  • Basal cells
37
Q

Label

A
38
Q

Functions of epididymis

A
  • Absorb water from seminal fluid and secrete chloride
  • Stores spermatozoa
  • Secretes proteins that block the receptors on the plasma membrane of sperm head which renders sperm infertile inside the male tract

NOTE: In cystic fibrosis, epididymis becomes blocked or fails to develop, causing sterility

39
Q

The _____ propels ehaculated sperm from the epididymis toward the urethra.

A

Vas deferens

NOTE: Large amounts of smooth muscle are present in the wall of the vas deferens

40
Q

Sperm and seminal fluid mix in the __________and move towards the urethra.

A

ejaculatory duct

41
Q

Label

A
42
Q

What type of epithelium is found in secretory acini of the prostate gland?

A

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

NOTE: The secretory acini also contain loose connective tissue and smooth muscle.

43
Q

Label

A
44
Q

Label

A

NOTE: Condensed, calcified secretory material is defining feature of histology of the prostate gland

45
Q

Label

A
46
Q

Epithelium of prostate gland

A
  • Transitional epithelium in upper part
  • Stratified columnar in the lower parts
47
Q

Functions of prostate gland

A
  • Secretes proteins that help maintain fluidity of semen
    *
48
Q

Bulbourethral gland

A
49
Q

Label

A
50
Q

Indictor of prostate carcinoma

A
  • Prostate specific antigen (a serine protease
51
Q

Which component of the penis is being described below?

Paired erectile bodies dorsal to the urethra which are responsible for erection.

A

Corpora cavernosa

52
Q

Which component of the penis is being described below?

Surrounds the urethra and prevents the collapse of the urethra during erection.

A

Corpus spongiosum

53
Q

The propulsion of semen from the male duct system is coordinated by a __________ nervous system reflex causing the smooth muscle surrounding the reproductive ducts and acessory glans to contract.

A

Sympathetic

54
Q

What factors control penile erection?

A
  • Parasympathetic nerve active releases nitric oxide
  • NO causes cGMP formation in smooth muscle
  • cGMP causes relaxation and dilation of venous channels

NOTE: Viagrea blocks cGMP degradation by PDE5

55
Q

Viagra is an inhibitor of ________, an enzyme that degrades cGMP.

A

Phosphodiesterase

NOTE: By elevating cGMP, erectile dystfunction can be corrected in spite of sub-optimal levels of circulating testoterone

56
Q

How is prostatic hypertrophy treated?

A
  • Prostatectomy
  • Trans-urethral resection
  • Radiation