L29 Male and Female Reproductive Systems

Question 1

Testicular descent occurs during gestational development. How are the testis anchored before they descend?

Answer 1

Anteriorly by the diaphragmatic (cranial) ligament; posteriorly (or caudally) by the gubernaculum testis.

Question 2

Why are the testes kept in the scrotum?

Answer 2

Spermatogenesis requires a temperature slightly cooler than body temperature.

Keeping them external allows proper thermal regulation.

Question 3

How does testicular descent occur?

Answer 3

As the body grows, the gubernaculum shrinks and the diaphragmatic ligament degenerates. The gubernaculum pulls the testis through the inguinal canal. Then the gubernaculum degenerates.

Question 4

True or false: The vaginal process lies anteriorly to the testis

Answer 4

True

Question 5

What is cryptorchidism?

Answer 5

One or more undescended testis - affects 2-3% of full term males.

Question 6

What are the corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum?

Answer 6

Erectile tissues in the shaft of the penis

Question 7

Which erectile tissue surrounds the urethra in the penis?

Answer 7

Corpus spongiosum

Question 8

What is the prepuce more commonly known as?

Answer 8

Foreskin

Question 9

How does an erection occur?

Answer 9

Nitric oxide causes arterial dilation to increase blood flow into corpora cavernosa.

Venous flow out is reduced as the veins are compressed by building pressure.

Question 10

What are bulbourethral glands?

Answer 10

Located at the base of the penis, they secrete alkaline mucus to lubricate and neutralise urinary acids

Question 11

What are preputial glands?

Answer 11

Located between the prepuce and the glans, they secrete smegma - a waxy secretion.

Question 12

What is the pampiniform plexus?

Answer 12

A plexus of testicular veins that is woven around incoming testicular artery to cool the incoming blood.

Question 13

What is the thick outer wall of the testis called?

Answer 13

Tunica albuginea

Encloses cavity divided by septa, each containing coiled seminiferous tubules.

Question 14

What is the tunica vaginalis?

Answer 14

Peritoneum surrounding the testes

Question 15

Seminiferous tubules empty into __?__

Answer 15

Rete testis

Question 16

Seminiferous tubules empty into rete testis and then into __?__

Answer 16

efferent ducts

Question 17

Seminiferous tubules empty in rete testis, then into the efferent ducts and finally into __?__

Answer 17

epididymis

Question 18

Epididymis has a caput (__1__), corpus (__2__), and cauda (__3__). It is bound to the testis by __4__.

Answer 18

1) head
2) body
3) tail
4) tunica vaginalis

Question 19

The epididymis empties into __?__

Answer 19

vas deferens

Question 20

Sperm leave the testis via ductus (vas) deferens and flow into __?__.

Answer 20

the urethra

Question 21

The prostate gland and seminal vesicles empty into __?__

Answer 21

the urethra

Question 22

Why can prostate cancer be treated by hormone-based therapy?

Answer 22

The prostate gland is controlled by androgens

Question 23

Describe the histology of the extra-tubular testis.

Outside the seminiferous tubules

Answer 23

Interstitial cells. Leydig cells, macrophages. Blood vessels.

Question 24

Describe the histology of the tubular testis.

Walls of the seminiferous tubules

Answer 24

peritubular cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells (peristalsis of tubule).

Question 25

Describe the histology of the intra-tubular testis.

Within the seminiferous tubules

Answer 25

spermatogonia (but outside blood-testis barrier), Sertoli cells (somatic), spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa.

Sertoli cells attached to base of tubule. S’gonia lie beneath. Tight junctions between S. cells –> blood-testis barrier.

Question 26

Where do post-spermatogonial stages develop?

Answer 26

Within the sertoli cells.

The immature spermatozoa shed into the lumen of the tubule. Peristaltic action moves them into the rete testis.

Question 27

What is covered by the tunica albuginea?

Answer 27

Ovaries, testes, corpora cavernosa of penis.

Question 28

How can you distinguish a primary follicle from a secondary follicle?

Answer 28

When you can see fluid inside, it is a secondary follicle.

Question 29

What is the germinal epithelium of the ovary?

Answer 29

Outer layer of squamous/cuboidal epithelium.

Name is a misnomer as it does not give rise to a primary follicle.

Question 30

At which stage is meiosis arrested in faetal development?

Answer 30

Diplotene (part of prophase)

Question 31

What is dictyate stage?

Answer 31

Ootidogenesis is arrested at diplotene and the ‘pre-eggs’ (germinal vesicles) are held in suspension until puberty.

This period of time is the dictyate stage.

Question 32

How is puberty characterised in females?

Answer 32

1st ovulation.

Menarche (first menstruation) may precede this, or accompany it.

Question 33

During puberty, oestrogens cause what changes to females?

Answer 33

Breast and genital growth.

Question 34

During puberty, androgens cause what changes to females?

Answer 34

Pubic and axillary hair growth.