Male Reproductive System

Question 1

What is the endocrine function of the testes?

Answer 1

Testicular intersittial tissue produce nearly all testosterone in males

Question 2

What is the exocrine function of the testes?

Answer 2

To produce spermatozoa

Question 3

What is the serous sac covering the anterolateral surface of each testis?

Answer 3

Tunica vaginalis

Question 4

The tunica vaginalis sac consists of what kind of epithelium?

Answer 4

simple squamous

Question 5

Vessels and ducts pass through what as thely enter or leave the testis?

Answer 5

Mediastinum

Question 6

What is the mediastinum testis?

Answer 6

It is the thickening of the tunica albuginea on the posterior surface that projects inward gibing rise to incomplete septa which divide each testis into approximately 250 lobules.

Question 7

Characterize the epithelium found in the seminiferous tubules

Answer 7

Complex stratified germinal epithelium (seminiferous epithelium) with a well-defined basal lamina

Question 8

Characterize the epithelium found in the tubuli recti (straight tubules)

Answer 8

Lined with epithelium consisting of only Sertoli cells or simple cuboidal cells supported by a dense connective issue sheath

Question 9

Characterize the epithelium found in the Rete testis

Answer 9

lined with simple epithelium that varies from squamous to low columnar

Question 10

Characterize the epithelium found in the ductuli efferentes

Answer 10

lined with simple epithelium that papears scalloped due to alternating groups of cells: non-ciliated cuboidal (or low columnar) cells with microvilli on apical surface and Ciliated tall columnar cells

Question 11

Characterize the epithelium found in the ductus epididymis

Answer 11

Highly coiled tube lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium with 2 celk types: Basal cells (Rounded stem cells sitting on basal lamina) and principal cells (tall columanr cells with sterecilia and basally located nclei)

Question 12

Characterize the epithelium found in the ductus deferens aka Vas Deferens

Answer 12

Straight tube with thick muscular wall (inner/outer long, middle circ) and narrow lumen. Lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia and lamina propria consisting of connective tisuse rich in elastic fibers surrounds epithelium; Mucosa forms longitudinal folds near distal end.

Question 13

What is the difference between Type A and Type B spermatogonia?

Answer 13

A conitinue dividing as stem cells; B are progenitor cells that differentiate into primary spermatocytes (dakughter cells remain attached via cytoplasmic bridges) and B increase their number through mitotic cell division; Both are round cells sitting on basal lamina with heterochromatic (dark) nuclei

Question 14

In spermatogenesis, what cells divide during the 1st meitoic division?

Answer 14

Primary spermatocytes

Question 15

In spermatogenesis, what cells divide during the 2nd meitoic division?

Answer 15

Secondary Spermatocytes

Question 16

How do spermatidds change morphology during spermiogenesis?

Answer 16

Early spermatids have small condensed nuclei and late spermatids have highly condensed and tiny nuclei . Spermatids differentiate into spermatazoa

Question 17

The release of spermatozoa from Sertoli cells and from other spermatids is called

Answer 17

Spermiation

Question 18

Mitochondria are concentrated in what portion of spermatazoa?

Answer 18

Proximal part of the flagellum forming middle piece where swimming movement is generated

Question 19

What are four functions of Sertoli cells?

Answer 19

1. support, protect, nourish developing spermataoza, 2. Phagocytosis of residual bodies shed from spermatids and degenerating spermatog;enic cells 3. secretion of testicular fluid into lumen of tebule for sperm transport and secrition of ABP and hormones that regulate FS?H release 4. serve as a blood-testis barrier created by tight junctions between SErtoli cells, protecting perm from toxic agents an dimmune system.

Question 20

What is the function of Leydig cells?

Answer 20

They produce nearly all the testosterone in males. The testoreone is required for spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules and to act on Sertoli cells to situmulate spermatogenesis. Ithis steroid hormone is also required for growth, development, and maintenance of accessory reproductive glands and the development of secondary sex characteristics and sexual behavior

Question 21

What is the role of androgen binding protein? Where is it secreted from?

Answer 21

It concentrates testosterone in seminiferous tubules. It is secreted by Sertoli cells

Question 22

What is cryptorchidism and why does it result in sterility if not corrected?

Answer 22

(Hidden Testis) is the failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum. It results in sterility if not corrected because it maintains the testes at 37C which inhibits spermatogenesis. Germ cell proliferation is hinhibited but testosterone synthesis is not.

Question 23

What produces most of the testicular fluid?

Answer 23

Sertoli Cells secrete testiculur fluid into lumen

Question 24

What reabsorbs most of the testiucular fluid?

Answer 24

Ductus Epididymis

Question 25

What are the four functions of the epididymis?

Answer 25

1. maturation of newly produced sperm during passage through duct 2. reabsorption of remaining testicular fuid by epithelial cells (in head and body) 3. phagocytosis of remaining residual bodies and sperm that degenerated in duct 4. principal reservoir for mature sperm (tail) 5. expulsion of sperm during ejaculationin response to sympathetic stimulation of smooth muscle layers (tail)

Question 26

When is sperm transport passive? Active?

Answer 26

seminiferous tubules to ductuli efferents ; ductuli efferentes to urethra

Question 27

Secretions from what accesory gland is responsible for liquefying semen?

Answer 27

Prostate

Question 28

Fructose is a major component of the secretions from which accessory gland?

Answer 28

Seminal Vesicles

Question 29

Secretions from which accessory glands paly a role in lubricating the penile urethra?

Answer 29

Glands of Littre (Periurethral Glands)

Question 30

List the order for secretions from the accessory glands during ejaculation

Answer 30

1. bulbourethral glands and Glands of Littre 2. Prostatatic fluid and sperm 3. Seminal fluid

Question 31

Which accessory gland contributes the greatest volume to semen.

Answer 31

Seminal vesicle flulid (1.5-2 L); (Prostate only secretes 0.5 ml and the bulbourethral/glandsof littre .1-.2)

Question 32

Name the zone of the prostrate gland that surrounds the urethra

Answer 32

Transition Zone

Question 33

Name the zone of the prostrate gland that surrounds the ejaculatory duct?

Answer 33

Central zone

Question 34

Name the zone of the prostrate gland that is the site of most prostate cancers

Answer 34

Peripheral Zone

Question 35

Name the zone of the prostrate gland that is the site of Origin of Benign Porstatic Hypertrophy

Answer 35

Transition Zone ( also origin of 20% of prostate cancer)

Question 36

What are prostatic concretions?

Answer 36

calcified prostatic secretions frorming concentric condensations that are frequently observed in lumen of glands (they increase in number with age)

Question 37

What is Prostate Specific Antigent (PSA)? Why does it increase with prostate cancer?

Answer 37

It is produced by epithelium of prostate and is normally released into prostatic fluid. It increased in prostate cancer due to increased production and release from prostatic cancer cells. Increased PSA can also increase with BPh and inflammation of the prostate and therefore is not diagnositc of cancer.