male reproduction Flashcards
excurrent duct system
intratesticular and extratesticular
intratesticular duct system
seminiferous tubule terminus, straight tubules (tubule recti), rete testis
extratesticular duct system
efferent ductules, duct of epidemics, ductus deferens
types of cells in straight tubule
simple cuboidal epithelium
types of cells in seminiferous tubule terminus
Sertoli cells only
rete testis
simple cuboidal epithelium, many microvilli, fluid resorption to concentrate sperm
efferent ductules function
connect Rete to epididymis
efferent ductules cell type
psuedostratified columnar
short cells with microvilli
tall (ciliated**) cells [transport non-motile sperm]
structure/characteristics of efferent ductules
star-shaped lumen
surrounded by smooth muscle
resorbs most of fluid from testis
duct of epididymis
aka ductus epididymidis
long coiled tube, 4-6 m
duct of epididymis cells
psuedostratified columnar
- principal cells: tall and possess stereo cilia
- basal (stem) cells
- smooth apical surface
duct of epididymis functions
- absorbs fluid, debris (residual bodies)
- secrete products for sperm maturation (e.g. forward mobility protein)
- smooth muscle (1 layer proximally, 3 toward tail)
- transit through tubules: ~12 days
- tail stores sperm prior to ejaculation
ductus (vas) deferens
- psudeostratified columnar with long microvilli
- basal (stem) cells
- single lumen to as smooth as epididymus ducts
- 3 smooth muscle layers (LCL) that contract during ejaculation
Accessory glands
- seminal vesicle
- prostate
- bulbourethral glands
- urethral glands (of littre)
erectile tissue
fibromuscular CT
contains:
1. cavernous spaces
2. helicine arteries with valve-like intimal cushion
helicine arteries
- with valve-like intimal fusion–smooth muscle cushion relaxes following nitric oxide release from parasympathetic nerves and subsequent cGMP production
- cGMP production–cavernous spaces fill with blood sufficiently to compress Venus plexuses leading to erection
Cialis, Viagra
induces an erection
mechanism of an erection
NO–>GC–>cGMP–>reduced concentration of calcium–>smooth muscle relaxation–>increased inflow of blood into penis–> Erection——->reduced cGMP–no erection
urethral glands
line urethra
mucous producing
protect urethra from urine
bulbourethral glands (of Cowper)
secrete alkaline mucus
pre-ejaculate secretion
neutralizes any residual urine in urethra