Histology of Male Reproductive System Flashcards
Which ducts move sperm from the testes out of the body?
- Efferent ductules
- Epididymis
- Vas deferens
- Ejaculatory duct
- Urethra
Which exocrine glands secrete fluids into the ducts and add to the sperm to make semen?
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate gland
- Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) gland
What type of epithelium makes up the seminiferous tubules?
Simple columnar epithelium of Sertoli cells
Testes are derived from __________.
Intermediate mesoderm
NOTE: This occurs via the surface gonadal ridge. Testes then descend into the scrotum
The epididymis is derived from the ________.
Mesonephric duct
Primordial germ cells migrate into the testis from the _______.
Yolk sac
__________ (warmer/cooler) blood in testicular artery. ________ (warmer/cooler) blood in pampiniform plexus.
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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The functional unit of spermatogenesis is the __________.
Seminiferous tubule
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Blood-testes barrier
Weismann Barrier
The strict distinction between the “immortal” germ cell lineages producing gametes and “disposable” somatic cells
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Spermatogonia divide via _________ (mitosis/meoisis). Spermatocytes divide via _________ (mitosis/meoisis).
Mitosis; meoisis
NOTE: Gwem cells remain conencted via intracellular bridges as they complete cell division and migrate upwards
Cell type summary
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- 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.
Spermatogenesis
In spermiogenesis, hapoid spermatids become converted into _________.
Mature Spermatozoa
Acrosome formation
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