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Medical Histology > Male Reproductive > Flashcards

Male Reproductive Flashcards

1
Q

function of the scrotum

A

keep testes away from body core to maintain lower temperature optimum for sperm production

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2
Q

order of sperm travel through testes

A
  1. made in seminiferous tubules
  2. travel through straight tubules
  3. collect in rete testis
  4. exit through efferent ducts
  5. store in head body and tail of epididymis
  6. travel through vas deferens
  7. join with seminal vesicle in ejaculatory duct
  8. run through prostate/prostatic urethra
  9. membranous urethra
  10. exit through spongy urethra
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3
Q

how are lobules of seminiferous tubules divided?

A

tunica albuginea continuous with septa that divide seminiferous tubules into 200-250 lobules

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4
Q

what is tunica vaginalis

A

an extension of the peritoneum that was picked up on the testes’ descent through abdomen, has parietal and visceral layers (mesothelial sac)

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5
Q

what is tunica albuginea made of

A

dense irregular connective tissue (is a tough capsule)

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6
Q

what does the mediastinum testis contain

A

rete testis, vessels, nerves (is a hilum)

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7
Q

what is the mediastinum testis

A

a posterior thickening of the tunica albuginea

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8
Q

what cells secrete testosterone

A

leydig or interstitial cells, are clusters within loose vascular connective tissues between seminiferous tubules

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9
Q

3 layers of seminiferous tubules

A
  1. innermost stratified seminiferous/germinal epithelium
  2. middle contractile myoid layer attached to well defined basal lamina
  3. outermost tinica propria - thin layer fibrous CT
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10
Q

what does the germinal epithelium contain

A

spermatogenic cells and sertoli cells

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11
Q

what does the tunica propria contain

A

isolated fibroblasts

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12
Q

what stimulates testosterone production in the leydig cells

A

LH

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13
Q

describe leydig cells

A

extensive SER, golgi, lipid droplets (bc steroid secreting), large round pale nuclei, prominent nucleoli, pale acidophilic cytoplasm

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14
Q

where are spermatogenic cells derived

A

embryonic yolk sac endoderm

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15
Q

how can spermatogenic cells be differentiated

A

size, nuclear morphology, position in germinal epithelium

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16
Q

chromosomes in stermatogonia

A

46, diploid 2N

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17
Q

what cell type is present prior to puberty?

A

spermatogonia ONLY

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18
Q

chromosomes in primary spermatocytes

A

46, diploid, 2N

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19
Q

what phase of cell division are primary spermatocytes in

A

frozen in prophase of meisosis I

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20
Q

what is the relationship between primary spermatocytes and sertoli cells and why

A

primary spermatocytes form tight junctions with sertoli cells to protect from immune system

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21
Q

what cells are rarely seen in the germinal epithelium and why?

A

secondary spermatocytes, because they rapidly undergo a second meiotic division immediately

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22
Q

chromosomes in secondary spermatocytes

A

23, haploid, N

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23
Q

chromosomes in spermatid

A

23, haploid, N

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24
Q

difference between spermatids and spermatozoa

A

spermatids are variable in size, have dark nuclei and are not in the lumen yet, spermatozoa have a characteristic flattened head and dark nucleus with flagella and are in the lumen

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25
Q

what is unique about the connection of spermatogonia?

A

they remain attached to form spermatogenic syncytium for some reason

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26
Q

describe the maturation of sperm

A
  1. diploid germ cell spermatogonia divide through mitosis and produce a new germ cell plus a committed cell called a primary spermatocyte
  2. diploid primary spermatocytes undergo 1st meiotic division and become a haploid secondary spermatocyte
  3. secondary spermatocytes undergo 2nd meiotic division and become spermatids
  4. spermiogenesis begins, changing spermatids morphologically to be motile spermatozoa
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27
Q

difference between neonatal, fetal, prepubertal, and adult testes

A

neonatal and infantile testes have 1 layer of spermatogonia with NO lumen; prepubertal testis have a lumen due to increasing testosterone and 1 or 2 layers of spermatogonia; adult testis have large lumen, lots of layers of developing sperm, and have spermatid tails in the lumen

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28
Q

steps of spermiogenesis

A
  1. acrosome forms
  2. centriole migration to posterior pole to form flagellum
  3. shift of cytoplasm toward flagellum away from acrosome
  4. migration of mitochondria toward flagellum, wraps around midpiece as mitochondrial sheath
  5. condensation of nuclear chromatin with nucleus flattening and elongating around midpiece
  6. cylindrical band of microtubules (manchette) surrounds nucleus
  7. excess cytoplasm sloughed off into residual bodies
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29
Q

what happens to the residual bodies?

A

they are phagocytosed by sertoli cells

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30
Q

what is the acrosome?

A

a large specialized lysosome over the top of the nucleus, containing hydrolytic enzymes that help penetrate zona pellucida and corona radiata

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31
Q

what is a manchette

A

a cylindrical band of microtubules around the spermatid nucleus

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32
Q

arrangement of microtubules in sperm flagella

A

9 doublets and 1 central pair

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33
Q

what is normal sperm count?

A

15 million - 200 million sperm per mL of semen

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34
Q

what is abnormal sperm count?

A

anything less than 15 million sperm per mL or 39 million sperm per ejaculate

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35
Q

what is oligospermia?

A

decreased number of sperm

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36
Q

what is teratospermia?

A

abnormal/mutated sperm morphology

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37
Q

what is asthenospermia?

A

decreased sperm motility

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38
Q

what do sertoli cells secrete?

A

androgen-binding protein (ABP), inhibin (fluid for sperm transport), mullerian inhibiting substance

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39
Q

what are the functions of sertoli/sustentacular cells?

A
  1. physical and nutritional support of spermatogenic cells
  2. phagocytosis of residual bodies
  3. secretion of fluid for sperm transport stimulated by FSH
  4. secretion of MIS to regress embryonic mullerian ducts
  5. protection of developing spermatocytes from autoimmune attack
40
Q

how do sertoli cells form a blood-testis barrier?

A

they are elongated and branched epithelial cells that extend from basal lamina to lumen of seminiferous tubules that bind to each other through occluding junctions to form a continuous sheath around tubule lumen

41
Q

what stimulates androgen binding protein and inhibin?

A

FSH

42
Q

what is inhibin?

A

decreases FSH production by pituitary when there is enough

43
Q

why is the blood testis barrier important?

A

new sperm specific proteins form on the differentiating cells (primary spermatocyte and on) and may be recognized as non-self antigens by antibodies, this is because this process begins well after immune system development

44
Q

what makes up the BTB

A

tight occluding junctions between sertoli cells and continuous capillaries

45
Q

what does the BTB separate the seminiferous tubules into (layers?)

A
  1. basal compartment that houses spermatogonia

2. adluminal compartment that houses everything else

46
Q

what is special about the adluminal compartment

A

it is an immunologically privileged site, it is inaccessible to blood bourne substances, except those specifically taken up by sertoli cells and passed through it

47
Q

what does the duct system require for normal function?

A

testosterone

48
Q

what does the duct system entail

A

from straight tubules in testes through the urethra (there are 2 sets of ducts that empty into a common urethra)

49
Q

epithelium of straight tubules

A

spermatogenic cells are replaced by sertoli cells in the initial segment, then replaced by cuboidal epithelium

50
Q

what are the rete testis lined by

A

cuboidal epithelium

51
Q

unique epithelium of efferent ductules

A

groups of microvili cuboidal cells alternating with groups of ciliated columnar cells

52
Q

function of the efferent ductules epithelium

A

the microvili on cuboidal epithelial cells absorb fluid

53
Q

how is the current made that sweets the sperm to the epididymis

A
  1. ciliary action of ciliated columnar cells

2. contraction of thin layer of smooth muscle (myoid layer)

54
Q

general description of ductus deferens

A

thick muscular wall, connects epididymis to ejaculatory duct

55
Q

what makes up the ejaculatory duct

A

junction of ductus deferens, duct of seminal vesicle, connects to prostatic urethra

56
Q

function of epididymis

A
  1. site of sperm maturation and storage
  2. water absorption
  3. enzyme and glycoprotein secretion
  4. phagocytosis of residual bodies
57
Q

what lines the ductus epididymis

A

pseudostratified columnar epithelium with long branched STEREOCILIA, smooth muscle layer underneath this, have small basal cells along basal lamina

58
Q

how do sperm move through ductus epididymis

A

underlying smooth muscle layer undergoes peristalsis

59
Q

what covers the epidiymis

A

capsule and tunica vaginalis

60
Q

what lines the mucosal folds of vas deferens

A

pseudostratified columnar epithelium with sparse stereocilia - secretory and absorptive functions

61
Q

what makes up the spermatic cord

A

vas deferens, testicular artery, pampiniform plexus, nerves

62
Q

defining characteristic of vas deferens

A

long straight muscular tube with 3 distinct smooth muscle layers, middle circular, inner and outer longitudinal

63
Q

function of muscle layers of vas deferens

A

peristaltic contractions during ejaculation

64
Q

what do the seminal vesicles secrete

A

fructose, citrate, inositol, prostaglandins, proteins and make up 70% of ejaculate

65
Q

why do they secrete things

A

energy for sperm, coagulate sperm upon ejaculation, affect response in female reproductive system

66
Q

how does the secretion from seminal vesicle enter urethra

A

2 tubes in each vesicle converge to form a single duct that joins with the ductus deferens on each side to form ejaculatory duct

67
Q

characteristic of seminal vesicle

A

honeycomb appearance, underlying muscular layer that contracts during ejaculation, highly folded and branched mucosa with simple or pseudostratified columnar epithelium

68
Q

what are seminal vesicles?

A

2 highly coiled outgrowths of ductus deferens

69
Q

what lines the seminal vesicles

A

pseudostratified columnar epithelium

70
Q

what does the prostate gland consist of?

A

compound tubuloalveolar glands arranged in 3 concentric groups whose ducts empty independently into the urethra

71
Q

what does the prostate gland secrete?

A

PSA, citric acid, acid phosphatase, amylase, fibrinolysin, lipids

72
Q

what is characteristic of the prostate and what is it

A

corpora amylacea, glycoprotein concretions in lumen of prostate, increase in number, size and calcification with age

73
Q

what covers the prostate

A

a fibroelastic CT capsule with smooth muscle that contracts during ejaculation

74
Q

what makes up prostatic epithelium

A

folded mucosa of cuboidal, columnar, and pseudostratified columnar epithelium

75
Q

where is peripheral zone of prostate

A

outer area close to rectum, posterior under the ejaculatory duct, and anterior under half

76
Q

what is the most common site of prostate cancer?

A

peripheral zone

77
Q

what is the most common site of BPH?

A

transition/periurethral zone

78
Q

where is central zone>

A

surrounding seminal vesicle toward urethra

79
Q

where is transition/periurethral zone

A

innermost, surrounds upper part of urethra

80
Q

what makes up the tubuloalveolar lobe?

A
  1. secretory/glandular epithelium made of simple columnar or pseudostratified columnar
  2. lamina propria and smooth muscle covers each lobe
  3. corpus amylaceum
81
Q

what are bulbourethral glands?

A

cowper’s glands, small paired glands in the UG diaphragm (deep space)

82
Q

where do cowper glands empty

A

proximal part of penile urethra

83
Q

what do cowper glands secrete, and what secretes them, and why

A

alkaline mucus, secreted by simple columnar epithelium, to coat and lubricate the urethral lining during erection and ejaculation

84
Q

what lines the prostatic segment of the urethra

A

transitional epithelium bc connects directly with the bladder

85
Q

where is prostatic segment of urethra

A

exits neck of the bladder, receives prostatic and ejaculatory ducts

86
Q

what lines membranous segment of urethra

A

pseudostratified columnar epithelium

87
Q

what encircles membranous urethra

A

UG diaphragm, forms a voluntary external sphincter

88
Q

where is cavernous segment

A

passes through corpus spongiosum

89
Q

what lines cavernous segment of urethra

A

pseudostratified columnar epithelium, CHANGES TO STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS AT THE END

90
Q

what empties into the cavernous segment of urethra?

A

glands of littre empty mucus secretions into the lumen

91
Q

general description of erectile tissue

A
  1. irregular networks of fibrous CT (tunica albuginea)
  2. supporting framework of smooth muscle fibers
  3. abundant interconnected vascular sinuses (fill with blood, lined with endothelial cells)
92
Q

what surrounds the corpus cavernosum and spongiosum?

A

dense fibrous tunica albuginea

93
Q

physiology of erection

A

parasympathetic stimulation: dilation of helicine arteries, fills cavernous spaces which press against veins against the tunica albuginea, blocking outflow of blood = maintains rigidity
sympathetic stimulation: to constrict helicine arteries to decrease blood flow, lower pressure, allow veins to open and drain (ejaculate)

94
Q

flaccid state

A

contracted smooth muscle limits inflow of blood into cavernous spaces, venous outflow is high to prevent cavernous space dilation

95
Q

erect state

A

parasympathetic system relaxes smooth muscle, allows increased inflow of blood, dilated cavernous spaces compress venules against tunica albuginea to decrease venous outflow

Medical Histology (10 decks)

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