Histology Of Male Reproductive System Flashcards
The male reproductive system is composed of
- Testes
- Genital ducts
- Accessory glands
- Penis
Primary functions of the male reproductive system
Sperm and testosterone production
What is the metabolite for testosterone?
Dihydrotestosterone
Testosterone is important for:
◦Spermatogenesis
◦Sexual differentiation during embryonic and fetal development
◦Control of gonadotropin secretion in the pituitary
Dihydrotestosterone acts on…
… male accessory glands and hair follicles
Function of the genital ducts and accessory glands
- Secretions for sperm activity
- their contraction helps to propel spermatozoa and the secretions from the penile urethra
Semen is composed of…
…sperm-nourishing secretions and spermatozoa
Each testis is surrounded by…
…a capsule of dense connective tissue called the tunica albuginea
On what part of the testes does the tunica albuginea thicken and what is formed?
It thickens on the posterior aspect of the testis to form the mediastinum testis
What arises from the mediastinum testis to penetrate the organ and divide it into pyramidal compartments or lobules? How many are the lobules?
Septa; about 250 to 1000
Each lobule of the testis is occupied by…
…one to four seminiferous tubules
The seminiferous tubules are surrounded by
interstitial tissue rich in blood and lymphatic vessels, nerves and interstitial cells of Leydig
•The seminiferous tubules produce _____ while Leydig cells secrete _____
spermatozoa, androgens
During fetal development, as the testes migrates from the abdominal cavity to the scrotal sac, they carry with them ___
a serous sac, the tunica vaginalis, derived from the peritoneum
The tunica vaginalis consists of…
…an outer parietal layer lining the scrotum and an inner visceral layer covering the tunica albuginea on the anterior and lateral sides of the testis
At what temperature does spermatogenesis occur?
Below 37oC
Interstitial tissue is located between seminiferous tubules. True or false?
True
The interstitial tissue surrounding the seminiferous tubules consist of…
dispersed connective tissue containing:
◦Fibroblasts
◦Lymphatics
◦Blood vessels including fenestrated capillaries
During puberty, interstitial cells or Leydig cells develop as…
…large round or polygonal cells with central nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm rich in small lipid droplets
Which cells produce testosterone in the testes?
Interstitial cells or Leydig cells
Testosterone secretion by the interstitial cells is triggered by…
…the pituitary gonadotropin- luteinizing hormone (LH) or interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH)
Where are testosterone-stimulating gonadotropins in the body during puberty?
The hypothalamus produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Where are testosterone-stimulating gonadotropins in the body during embryonic development?
The placenta
Sperm are produced in the seminiferous tubules at a rate of…
… 2 x 108 per day in the young adult