Male Reproductive System Flashcards
what are the 3 layers that forms the capsule binding the testes?
- tunica vaginalis
- tunica albuginea
- tunica vasculosa
what is the structure of the tunica vaginalis?
flattened layer of mesothelial cells resting on basement membrane
what is the structure of the tunica albuginea?
- thick fibrous capsule
- collagen fibres
- some fibroblasts, myocytes and nerve fibres
what is the structure of the tunica vasculosa?
- thin
- loose connective tissue
- blood vessels and lymphatics
describe the path of spermatozoa
- seminiferous tubules (-> straight tubules)
- rete testis (-> efferent ducts -> epididymis)
- vas deferens
- ejaculatory duct (+ secretions from seminal vesicle)
- urethra (+ secretions from prostate)
what does the parenchyma contain?
~250 lobules each containing 1-4 seminiferous tubules
where are sertoli cells found?
seminiferous tubules
what are the types of spermatogonia?
Type A:
- AD
- AP
Type B
what are type AD spermatogonia?
- darkly staining
- stem cell population
- form further AD and AP cells
what are type AP spermatogonia?
- pale staining
- form type B cells
how do sertoli cells nurture surrounding germ cells?
send cytoplasmic projections
what is the shape of nuclei in sertoli cells?
- irregularly shaped
- folded
- prominent nucleolus
what are the functions of sertoli cells?
- supportive
- phagocytic
- secretory
what are the divisions of spermatozoa?
- head
- midpiece
- tail
which part of the spermatozoa contains the nucleus?
head
what does the head of spermatozoa contain?
- nucleus
- acrosomal cap
what is the function of the acrosomal cap and where is it found?
helps spermatozoon penetrate ovum
- head
what does the midpiece of spermatozoa contain?
- spiral mitochondria (wrapped around axoneme)
- axoneme
what is the function of the axoneme in spermatozoa and where is it found?
sperm motbility
- midpiece and tail
what does the tail of spermatozoa contain?
- axoneme
- plasma membrane
what is the function of leydig cells?
produce testosterone
describe the histological appearance of leydig cells
- present singly and in clusters in interstitium between tubules
- abundant cytoplasm containing lipid
what are reinke’s crystalloids and where are they found?
intracytoplasmic eosinophilic crystalloids
- leydig cells (after puberty)
what is the rete testis?
anastomosing network of tubules at hilum of testis
what is the epithelial lining of the rete tesis?
- simple squamous / low columnar
- cilia at luminal surface
what is the function of the rete testis?
mixing chamber for contents of seminiferous tubules
what does the rete testis discharge into?
efferent ducts
what is the epithelial lining of the efferent ducts?
- ciliated & non-ciliated simple columnar
- interspersed cuboidal (basal) cells
- pseudostratified appearance
what are the functions of the epididymis?
→ absorption of testicular fluid
→ phagocytosis of degenerate spermatozoa
→ production of secretions rich in glycoproteins, sialic acid and glycerol phosphorylcholine
how long is the epididymis?
4-5cm
what does the epididymis contain?
highly convoluted epididymal duct
what is the epithelial lining of the epididymis?
- tall columnar
- long atypical cilia (stereocilia - generally non-motile)
how long is the vas deferens?
30-40cm
what is the ampulla?
enlargement of the distal part of the vas deferens
- joins excretory duct of seminal vesicle → ejaculatory duct
what is the epithelial lining of the vas deferens?
- pseudostratified columnar epithelium
- columnar and basal cells
how many layers of smooth muscle does the wall of the vas deferens have?
3
what is the shape of the prostate gland?
pear-shaped
what does the prostate gland surround?
- bladder neck
- prostatic urethra
what are the lobes of the prostate gland?
- anterior
- middle
- posterior
- 2x lateral
what are the regions of the prostate gland?
- peripheral
- central
- transitional
- peri-urethral gland
which region of the prostate gland does prostate cancer develop in?
peripheral
which region of the prostate gland enlarges with age?
central
what ducts does the prostate gland have?
- large primary
- small secondary
where are acini found?
prostate gland
what is the epithelial lining of the acini in the prostate gland?
2 layers:
next to basement membrane - flattened basal
next layer - secretory columnar
what is the function of secretory cells in the prostate gland?
secrete PSA and PAP into seminal fluid
what is PSA?
enzymes that helps to liquify semen after ejaculation
- determines whether tissue is prostate
- determines if patient has prostate cancer
describe the structure of stroma
- smooth muscle
- fibroelastic fibres
- blood vessels
- nerves
what are the seminal vesicles?
paired highly coiled tubular structures posterolateral to the bladder
what is the epithelial lining of the seminal vesicles?
tall non-ciliate columnar epithelium
what contains 70-80% of the ejaculate?
seminal vesicles
where is spermatozoa produced?
seminiferous tubules
what produces the bulk of the seminal fluid?
- prostate
- seminal vesicles
- Cowper’s glands
