Male Repro Microanatomy Flashcards
what do the seminiferous tubules do?
spermatogenesis
what do the interstitial tissues do?
steroidogenesis
what makes up the parenchyma?
seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissues
what is the seminiferous epithelium made up of?
-sertoli cells –> somatic cells
-germ cells
what is spermiation?
release of sperm into the lumen
what are sertoli cells?
-provide physical and nutritional support to germ cells
-mediate movement of cells and molecules across the epithelium
-phagocytize degenerating germ cells
-secrete molecules into the epithelium and the interstitial tissue
what is the blood testis barrier made up of
cell membrane of sertoli cells and tight junctions between adjacent sertoli cells
what does the blood testis barrier do?
-creates 2 different compartments in the epithelium
-protection of germ cells from autoimmune response
-sequestering and secreting of proteins, ions and carbs that are required by specific types of germ cells
what makes up the adluminal compartment of the btb?
spermatocytes
spermatids
what makes up the basal compartment of the btb?
spermatogonial stem cells
differentiating spermatogonia
what is secreted from the interstitial tissue and blood vessels in the btb?
-estrogen
-MIS
-inhibine
-ABP
what makes up the tubular wall?
peritubular myoid cells –> smooth muscle
laminin, fibronectin, collagen
what makes up the interstitial tissue?
leydig cells
blood vessels
lymphatic vessels
nerves
macrophages
what are leydig cells
synthesis and secretion of androgens
what makes up excurrent ducts
rete testis and efferent ducts
describe the pathway up to the epididymis
1) seminiferous tubules
2) tubuli recti
3) rete testis
4) efferent ducts
5) epididymis
what are tubuli recti?
simple, low columnar or cuboidal epithelium devoid of germ cells
what are rete testis?
flattened channels
cuboidal ciliated cells
what are efferent ducts?
-columnar ciliated cells and columnar cells with microvilli
-absorption of seminiferous fluid
where does sperm maturation happen?
head and body of the epididymis
+ forward motility and fertilization
where is sperm storage?
tail of epididymis
what are the ampullary glands?
-secretory epithelium –> simple, tall columnar
-secretion = fluid rich in fructose and ergothioneine
–> may become calcified –> corpora arenacea
-secretion maintains sperm viability
-function and integrity are highly dependent in testicular androgens
what 3 things make up the vesicular glands?
1) stroma –> fibroelastic capsule that extends as trabeculae
2) secretory epithelium –> simple, tall columnar
3) secretion = alkaline viscid fluid rich in fructose and coagulating proteins –> sperm viability and semen consistency
what 4 things make up the prostate?
1) stroma
2) secretory epithelium –> pseudostratified with tall columnar cells
3) secretion
4) prostatic concretion –> condensed secretion, may become calcified
what 3 things make up the bulbourethral glands?
1) stroma –> fibrous CT
2) secretory epithelium –> simple, columnar
3) secretion –> clear viscid mucus for urethral cleaning and lubrication before ejaculation
what classifies a seminoma?
high presence of germ cells
round big nuclei and high nucleus to cytoplasm ratio
what classifies a sertoli cell tumor?
high presence of cells with nuclei of irregular shape and high cytoplasm to nucleus ratio
what classifies a leydig cell tumor?
high presence of cells with typical leydig cell phenotype
