L29 Male and Female Reproductive Systems Flashcards
Testicular descent occurs during gestational development. How are the testis anchored before they descend?
Anteriorly by the diaphragmatic (cranial) ligament; posteriorly (or caudally) by the gubernaculum testis.
Why are the testes kept in the scrotum?
Spermatogenesis requires a temperature slightly cooler than body temperature.
Keeping them external allows proper thermal regulation.
How does testicular descent occur?
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.
True or false: The vaginal process lies anteriorly to the testis
True
What is cryptorchidism?
One or more undescended testis - affects 2-3% of full term males.
What are the corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum?
Erectile tissues in the shaft of the penis
Which erectile tissue surrounds the urethra in the penis?
Corpus spongiosum
What is the prepuce more commonly known as?
Foreskin
How does an erection occur?
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.
What are bulbourethral glands?
Located at the base of the penis, they secrete alkaline mucus to lubricate and neutralise urinary acids
What are preputial glands?
Located between the prepuce and the glans, they secrete smegma - a waxy secretion.
What is the pampiniform plexus?
A plexus of testicular veins that is woven around incoming testicular artery to cool the incoming blood.
What is the thick outer wall of the testis called?
Tunica albuginea
Encloses cavity divided by septa, each containing coiled seminiferous tubules.
What is the tunica vaginalis?
Peritoneum surrounding the testes
Seminiferous tubules empty into __?__
Rete testis
Seminiferous tubules empty into rete testis and then into __?__
efferent ducts
Seminiferous tubules empty in rete testis, then into the efferent ducts and finally into __?__
epididymis
Epididymis has a caput (__1__), corpus (__2__), and cauda (__3__). It is bound to the testis by __4__.
1) head
2) body
3) tail
4) tunica vaginalis
The epididymis empties into __?__
vas deferens
Sperm leave the testis via ductus (vas) deferens and flow into __?__.
the urethra
The prostate gland and seminal vesicles empty into __?__
the urethra
Why can prostate cancer be treated by hormone-based therapy?
The prostate gland is controlled by androgens
Describe the histology of the extra-tubular testis.
Outside the seminiferous tubules
Interstitial cells. Leydig cells, macrophages. Blood vessels.
Describe the histology of the tubular testis.
Walls of the seminiferous tubules
peritubular cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells (peristalsis of tubule).
Describe the histology of the intra-tubular testis.
Within the seminiferous tubules
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.
Where do post-spermatogonial stages develop?
Within the sertoli cells.
The immature spermatozoa shed into the lumen of the tubule. Peristaltic action moves them into the rete testis.
What is covered by the tunica albuginea?
Ovaries, testes, corpora cavernosa of penis.
How can you distinguish a primary follicle from a secondary follicle?
When you can see fluid inside, it is a secondary follicle.
What is the germinal epithelium of the ovary?
Outer layer of squamous/cuboidal epithelium.
Name is a misnomer as it does not give rise to a primary follicle.
At which stage is meiosis arrested in faetal development?
Diplotene (part of prophase)
What is dictyate stage?
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.
How is puberty characterised in females?
1st ovulation.
Menarche (first menstruation) may precede this, or accompany it.
During puberty, oestrogens cause what changes to females?
Breast and genital growth.
During puberty, androgens cause what changes to females?
Pubic and axillary hair growth.
