male reproductive system Flashcards
exocrine function of testis
production of spermatozoa
endocrine function of testis
secretion of testosterone
Accessory reproductive glands
seminal vesicle
prostate gland
cowper’s gland/bulbo-urethral glands
organ of copulation
Penis
Testicular capsule:
outer layer
Tunica vaginalis
Testicular capsule
most prominent layer
Tunica albuginea
Testicular capsule:
innermost layer
Tunica vasculosa
testicular capsule is capable of
contraction
Few & found in between the spermatogenic cells
Tall, columnar, pillar-like cells extending upward through the full thickness of the epithelium
sertoli cells
functions of sertoli cells
Functions:
For mechanical support & protection of the developing sperm cells
Play an active role in the release of mature spermatozoa
Phagocytic activity – digest cytoplasmic fragments
Steroid production from progesterone
- Secretes androgen binding protein &
inhibin in the adult - Receptor-mediated binding of testosterone &
its metabolism to dehydrotestosterone - Serves as a conduit for the passage of
nutrients from the blood vascular system to
the spermatocytes & spermatids
Sperm cells closely associated between Sertoli cells
4-8 layers from the basal lamina to the lumen
Differentiate progressively from basal region to the lumen
Most mature are nearest to the lumen
spermatogenic cells
Comprises the entire sequence of events by which the spermatogonia are transformed into spermatozoa
spermatogenesis
PHASE OF SPERMATOGENESIS
The most primitive spermatogonia give rise to several successive generations of spermatogonia and yields spermatocytes
Spermatocytogenesis
PHASE OF SPERMATOGENESIS
The spermatocytes undergo two maturation division which reduce the chromosomal number by half & produce a cluster of spermatids
- Meiosis
PHASE OF SPERMATOGENESIS
The spermatids undergo a series of cytological transformation leading to formation of spermatozoa
Spermiogenesis
Slender motile flagellated bodies
Mature sperm
3 Phases of spermatogenesis
Spermatocytogenesis
2. Meiosis
Spermiogenesis
single ejaculation contains how many sperms
200-600 M
Inactive in the ducts; activated by secretions of accessory genital glands
Longer lifespan in the male genital tract than in the female reproductive tract
Mature Sperm
parts of the mature sperm
head
tail
parts of the tail of mature sperm
a. Neck
b. Middle piece
c. Principal piece
d. End piece
part of sperm
Flattened ovall body, pear shaped
Made up of the nucleus carrying all genetic traits
Acrosomal cap
head
part of sperm tail
Core – axoneme
Ring of 9 dense course fibers
Mitochondrial sheath
middle piece
part of sperm tail
Longest portion
Absence of mitochondrial sheath
Outer course fibers and fibrous sheath
Principal piece
part of sperm tail
Short slender terminal segment
Covered only by flagellar membrane
End Piece
Endocrine component of the testis
Produces androgens
Irregular polyhedral closely packed, occurring in clusters
With extensive SER
Interstitial Cell of Leydig
Short straight continuation of the seminifrous tubule
w/o Spermatogenic cells; only sertoli cells
tubuli recti
Network of anastomosing channels found in the mediastinum
Cuboidal lining epithelium
rete testis
Arises from the rete testis
Forms 10 conical bodies (coni vasculosi)
Ductuli Efferentes
Lined by alternating tall ciliated and short non-ciliated (uneven/scalloped epithelium)
Non-ciliated cells with microvilli coated with glycocalyx
W/ only motile cilia in the male repro tract
Ductuli Efferentes
Fusion of the coni vasculosi forms a single highly coiled duct
Site of sperm accumulation, storage & maturity
Head, body & tail
epididymis
Lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocila
Presence of smooth musculature gradually increasing in thickness from proximal to distal
epididymis
epithelium of epididymis
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocila
Straight tube, direct continuation of the epididymis
ductus deferens
Ductus Deferens
3 coats
Mucosa
Muscularis
Fibrosa
coat of ductus deferens
Thrown into folds (star-shaped appearance)
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Mucosa:
coat of ductus deferens
Thickest coat
muscularis
3 smooth muscle layers of muscularis
- inner longitudinal
- middle circular
- outer longitudinal
coat of ductus deferens
Fibroelastic CT
Adventitia:
Short, terminal segment formed at the junction of the ampulla & the excretory ducts of the seminal vesicle
Pierces the prostate gland & opens in the urethra
ejaculatory duct
Thin mucosa thrown into folds
Simple columnar epithelium / pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Transitional epithelium near the urethral opening
ejaculatory duct
Highly convoluted glandular outpocketings that opens in the ductus deferens at the junction of the ampulla and ejaculatory duct
Yellowish viscid alkaline fluid w/ fructose, fibrinogen & Vit.C
Not storage site for spermatozoa
seminal vesicle
Mucosa is highly folded forming irregular chambers (honeycomb appearance)
Prominent muscular wall (inner & outer longitudinal)
seminal vesicle
Lining epithelium – pseudostratified non-ciliated
Smooth muscle supplied by SNS; contracts during ejaculation forcing secretions into the urethra via the ampulla
seminal vesicle
Large unpaired gland surrounding the first part of the urethra
Secretions make up 75% of semen; thin, milky; rich in citric acid & hydrolytic enzymes
Dependent on androgens for its secretory activities
prostate gland
Made up of 30-50 tubulo-alveolar gland
Stroma & capsule consist of dense fibroelastic CT w/ numerous smooth muscle innervated by SNS
prostate gland
Secretory alveoli lined by simple columnar or pseudostratified columnar non-ciliated epithelium
Epithelium folded into irregular projections dividing the lumen into compartments
Prostatic concretions/corpora amylacea
prostate gland
prostate gland is divided into
peripheral and central portion
portion of prostate gland
composed of paraurethral glands that open into the prostatic urethra; BPH
central portion
portion of prostate gland
composed of tubulo-alveolar glands; prostatic malignancy
peripheral portion
Cowper’s gland
Two small glands located close to the bulb of the urethra
Compound tubulo-alveolar gland with tubules/ducts
Bulbourethral Gland
Secrete mucus into the urethra for epithelial lubrication
Bulbourethral Gland
Lining epithelium of Bulbourethral Gland
simple columnar
Paired corpora cavernosa & single corpus spongiosum
Condensed fibroelastic around the cavernous bodies continuous with the loose hypodermis
Pectinifrom septum
penis
consist of cavernous sinuses supported by trabeculae (fibroelastic tissue w/ smooth muscles)
erectile tissues of penis
end of excitement; sympathetic NS
Detumescence
erection involves the _________ ANS
parasympathetic
Vascular sinuses of penis supplied by
helicine arteries
The product of ejaculation (spermatozoa & seminal fluid); 3.5 ml containing 50-150 million spematozoa/ml
Capacitation in female genital tract
Fructose & citrate for motility
Crystals of Bottcher
semen
