Male Genital System Flashcards
Testes
- produce spermatozoa and hormones
Epididymis
- transport and maturation of spermatozoa
Ductus Deferens
transport of spermatozoa
Accessory Sex Glands
- produce seminal plasma
Accessory Sex Glands
- Ampulla of Ductus Deferens
- Vesicular Gland/Seminal Vesicle
- Prostate Gland
- Bulbourethral Gland
Tunica Albuginea
- capsule that encloses the testis
Visceral Layer of the Tunica Vaginalis
- capsule of the testis (tunica albuginea) is covered by this
Interior surface of the tunica albuginea
- has a vascular layer
Septuli Testis
- the CT trabeculae
- extends from the tunica albuginea
- divides the testicular parenchyma into a varying number of testicular lobules
- continuous with the mediastinum testis
Mediastinum Testis
- a CT area containing the rete testis and blood vessels
Mediastinum Testis in ruminants, pigs and dogs
- well developed mediastinum testis
Mediastinum Testis in horses
- poorly developed mediastinum testis
Seminiferous Tubules Consists of:
- A convoluted portion
- tubuli contorti - A straight portion
- tubuli recti
Seminiferous Tubules three components
- Lamina Propria and Basal Lamina
- Sustenacular Cells (Sertoli)
- Spermatogenic Cells
Lamina Propria
- peritubular cells (Myoid) and fibroblast
Lamina Propria
- surrounds the seminiferous tubules
- the innermost layer is basal lamina of collagen and elastic fibers which is surrounded by flat peritubular cells
Peritubular
- responsible for tubular contraction
Sustenacular Cells (sertoli)
- elongated pyramidal cells
- poorly defined outline of cells
- blood-testis barrier
Blood testis barrier
- adjacent sustentacular cells are joined by tight junctions
Functions of Sertoli Cells
- Nutritive, protective and supportive functions for the spermatogenic cells
- Phagocytosis of:
- degenerating spermatogenic cells
- detached residual body of spermatids - Production of Mullerian Inhibitory Hormone
- Secretion of intratubular fluid which is used for sperm transport
- Formation of blood-testis barrier
Spermatogenic Cells
- located between and above the sustentacular cells
Spermatogonia
- situated next to the basal lamina
- relatively small spermatogenic cell
Primary Spermatocytes
- largest spermatogenic cells
- characterized by obvious condensed chromosomes
Secondary spermatocytes
- short lived
- difficult to observe
Spermatid
- small spermatogenic cells
- located towards the lumen of the seminiferous tubules
Spermatozoa
- formed from the spermatids that undergo spermiogenesis