male histology

Question 1

Tunica albuginea

Answer 1

white coat

thick capsule around the testes that projects inward that makes the mediastinum testis (i.e. hilum where vessels and such exit)

Question 2

lobules

Answer 2

formed by incomplete CT septae
form compartments

each lobule contains 1-4 coiled seminiferous tubules

Question 3

Leydig cells

Answer 3

found in the stroma between the seminiferous tubules

large polyhedral shape
rounded nuclei, prominent golgi, lots of mito, extensive sER, many peroxisomes and lysosomes
produce testosterone
**located in high proximity to vascular channels due to its endocrine nature

Question 4

seminiferous tubules

Answer 4

site of spermatogenesis (spermatogonia—>spermatozoa)
heavy basement membrane (with peritubular contractile cells)

specialized stratified epithelium

** lumens are not patent until puberty

terminate in to straight tubules which empties into rete testes

Question 5

rete testes

Answer 5

where each straight tubule dumps into

Question 6

spermatogenic epithelium

Answer 6

stratified
where all sperm production occurs

sertoli cells are scattered within

basal cells rest on BM that has contractile properties

Question 7

sertoli cells

Answer 7

-provide nutrients, support and protection for developing sperm

stretch from BM to lumen
tall columnar
** tight junctions b/w cells create the blood testes barrier (separates spermatocytes from spermatogonia)

large pale nucleus with dark nucleoli (looks like a target)

Question 8

head of mature sperm

Answer 8

head (nucleus and cap)

acrosome is a single large secretory granule that contains hyaluronidase (aids penetration of zone pellucida)

Question 9

neck and middle of mature sperm

Answer 9

contains core of longitudinal filaments surrounded by mitochondrial sheath

powers movements of the tail

Question 10

tail of mature sperm

Answer 10

ensheathed by thin layer of cytoplasm

similar to cilia (9+2 MT arrangement)

tip is naked

Question 11

epididymis

Answer 11

formed by efferent ductules that merge

where final sperm maturation occurs

lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia ( no MT core, just super long microvilii)

lots of absorption and production going on here to make sperm motile

Question 12

seminal vesicle

Answer 12

diverticula of ductus deferens

posterior inferior surface of the bladder
epithelium depend s on testosterone

**ONLY PRODUCES(does not store) (the bulk of) SEMINAL FLUID- nutrition for the sperm

Question 13

Benign prostatic hypertrophy

Answer 13

occurs in the central zone of the prostate

can compress the urethra early on

most tumors arise in the peripheral zone-palpable in DRE

Question 14

Prostate

Answer 14

glandular epithelium that develops during puberty

produce watery, alkaline secretion for semen

(reduced acidity of urethra and female vagina)

contains acid phosphatase, aids is dx of prostatic epithelial malignancies

Question 15

corpora amylacea

Answer 15

prostatic concentrations that pop up in older individuals

may be asymptomatic

Question 16

Cowpers gland

Answer 16

bulbourethral gland

pea sized compound tubuloalveolar gland
embedded in muscle of UG diaphragm

secretes clear viscous mucoid substance that lubricates urethra (pre-ejaculate) after erotic stimulation into the penile urethra

Question 17

erectile tissues

Answer 17

during flaccidity smooth muscle coils helicine aa allows blood to flow thru ateriovenous shunts

after PSNS activity, helacine aa straighten, closes shunts, blood fills corporal cavities

penis becomes turgid

helicine aa recoil and flaccidity returns

Question 18

cycle of seminiferous epithelium

Answer 18

6 distinct stages
segment= length of tubule b/w identical stages, length may vary

wave= distance b/w 2 similar stages

Question 19

prepuce

Answer 19

terminal skin that replicates in fold to create the foreskin

Question 20

epithelium over glans

Answer 20

stratified squamous, nonkeratinizing continuous with urethral epithelium

Question 21

ejaculation

Answer 21

1) bulbourethral gland secretes mucus to lube up urethra
2) prostate discharges initiates true ejaculation-sperm in acid environment)
3) sperm forced into urethra by muscular ductus deferens
4) seminal vesicles adds secretion pushes sperm helping clear urethra (high fructose)
5) bulbo cavernosus muscle forces semen to outside, compresses bulb of corpus spongiosum