Male Reproductive System Flashcards
What is the endocrine function of the testes?
Testicular intersittial tissue produce nearly all testosterone in males
What is the exocrine function of the testes?
To produce spermatozoa
What is the serous sac covering the anterolateral surface of each testis?
Tunica vaginalis
The tunica vaginalis sac consists of what kind of epithelium?
simple squamous
Vessels and ducts pass through what as thely enter or leave the testis?
Mediastinum
What is the mediastinum testis?
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.
Characterize the epithelium found in the seminiferous tubules
Complex stratified germinal epithelium (seminiferous epithelium) with a well-defined basal lamina
Characterize the epithelium found in the tubuli recti (straight tubules)
Lined with epithelium consisting of only Sertoli cells or simple cuboidal cells supported by a dense connective issue sheath
Characterize the epithelium found in the Rete testis
lined with simple epithelium that varies from squamous to low columnar
Characterize the epithelium found in the ductuli efferentes
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
Characterize the epithelium found in the ductus epididymis
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)
Characterize the epithelium found in the ductus deferens aka Vas Deferens
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.
What is the difference between Type A and Type B spermatogonia?
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
In spermatogenesis, what cells divide during the 1st meitoic division?
Primary spermatocytes
In spermatogenesis, what cells divide during the 2nd meitoic division?
Secondary Spermatocytes
How do spermatidds change morphology during spermiogenesis?
Early spermatids have small condensed nuclei and late spermatids have highly condensed and tiny nuclei . Spermatids differentiate into spermatazoa
The release of spermatozoa from Sertoli cells and from other spermatids is called
Spermiation
Mitochondria are concentrated in what portion of spermatazoa?
Proximal part of the flagellum forming middle piece where swimming movement is generated
What are four functions of Sertoli cells?
- 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.
What is the function of Leydig cells?
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
What is the role of androgen binding protein? Where is it secreted from?
It concentrates testosterone in seminiferous tubules. It is secreted by Sertoli cells
What is cryptorchidism and why does it result in sterility if not corrected?
(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.
What produces most of the testicular fluid?
Sertoli Cells secrete testiculur fluid into lumen
What reabsorbs most of the testiucular fluid?
Ductus Epididymis
What are the four functions of the epididymis?
- 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)
When is sperm transport passive? Active?
seminiferous tubules to ductuli efferents ; ductuli efferentes to urethra
Secretions from what accesory gland is responsible for liquefying semen?
Prostate
Fructose is a major component of the secretions from which accessory gland?
Seminal Vesicles
Secretions from which accessory glands paly a role in lubricating the penile urethra?
Glands of Littre (Periurethral Glands)
List the order for secretions from the accessory glands during ejaculation
- bulbourethral glands and Glands of Littre 2. Prostatatic fluid and sperm 3. Seminal fluid
Which accessory gland contributes the greatest volume to semen.
Seminal vesicle flulid (1.5-2 L); (Prostate only secretes 0.5 ml and the bulbourethral/glandsof littre .1-.2)
Name the zone of the prostrate gland that surrounds the urethra
Transition Zone
Name the zone of the prostrate gland that surrounds the ejaculatory duct?
Central zone
Name the zone of the prostrate gland that is the site of most prostate cancers
Peripheral Zone
Name the zone of the prostrate gland that is the site of Origin of Benign Porstatic Hypertrophy
Transition Zone ( also origin of 20% of prostate cancer)
What are prostatic concretions?
calcified prostatic secretions frorming concentric condensations that are frequently observed in lumen of glands (they increase in number with age)
What is Prostate Specific Antigent (PSA)? Why does it increase with prostate cancer?
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.
