Histology of the Testis Flashcards
where does spermatogenesis occur?
seminiferous epithelium
where is the seminiferous epithelium located?
in the centre of testis
what divides the lobules of the testes?
connective tissue or SEPTA
where are the sperm formed?
seminiferous tubules
generally how many tubes are there in each lobule?
between 1 to 4
where do the sperm pass to after they are produced?
the epididymis
what is the tunica albuginea?
thick coating surrounding the testis
where do the sperm exit the body?
through the ductus deferens then the urethra
what are the supporting cells found within the testes?
Sertoli cells
where about in the tubule are the mature sperm found?
in the centre
what are the germ cells called that are found within the testis?
spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids
what are sertori cells?
triangular cell nuclei
really tall columnar cells that extend from the BM where you see their nuclei all the way up to the lumen
they provide mechanical and hormonal support to developing germ cells
involved in phagocytosis
essential for creating blood testis barrier
which stain is useful for identifying sertori cells?
androgen receptor staining as the sertori cells are the only cells in the testis that produce androgen receptor
sertori cells are BROWN
what are the 2 compartments of the seminiferous tubule?
basal compartment and the abluminal compartment
how are the cytoplasm of connecting Sertoli cells connected?
tight junctions
what is the basal compartment?
the area closest to the BM
what is the adluminal compartment?
area closest to the lumen
what are peritubular myeloid cells?
around the outside edge and they contain contractile filaments
have a flattened nucleui
provide structural integrity to the tubule
secrete ECM molecules to the BM
important in the signalling of leydig cells and Sertoli cells
what are leydig cells
found in between tubules
pink cells
large nuclei
nuclei found at one end of the cell
found in clusters
hormone producing cells
found near capillaries
produce androgen in the form of testosterone
what do leydig cells produce?
androgen in the form of testosterone
pass these androgens into the Sertoli cells because they have the receptors
why do Sertoli cells use androgen?
use the androgen to support the development of germ cells which facilitates spermatogenesis
what are the darker cells around the outside of the testis?
spermatogonia (stem cell population)
what cells are found next to the spermatogonia?
type B spermatogonia
what do type B spermatogonia look like on histology?
large cells
clumped chromatin
what is the blood testis barrier?
tight junction that is formed between the cells that are post and pre meiotic
prevents rejection of the newly formed sperm
what do spermatids look like?
ronder cells
cluster of smaller nuclei
no more division takes place
what happens during spermiogenesis?
lose their cytoplasm
develop the flagella
develop acrosome
