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U8 MicroAnatomy > Male Reproductive System > Flashcards

Male Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the thick capsule of dense irregular CT covering each testis?

A

Tunica Albuginea

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2
Q

What two components does the testicular lobules consist of?

A

seminiferous tubules

interstitial tissue

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3
Q

Where is the site of spermatogenesis?

A

Seminiferous Tubules

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4
Q

What 2 cells are within the stratified germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules?

A

Spermatogenic cells

Sertoli cells

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5
Q

What is the function of Myoid cells?

A

contractile properties that help move spermatozoa and testicular fluid through seminiferous tubules

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6
Q

What does spermatogenesis require?

A

Testosterone

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7
Q

What are spermatogonia and what are the different types?

A

Diploid sperm that begin dividing by mitosis at puberty

  • -Type A–continue dividing to produce stem cells/progenitor cells
  • -Type B– progenitor cells that divide into primary spermatocytes
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8
Q

What are primary spermatocytes?

A

Generated from type B spermatogonia
–enter prophase of first meiotic division and remain for 22days–most primaries will be in prophase

Ultimately each will produce 4 haploid gametes

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9
Q

What are secondary spermatocytes and how are they formed?

A

generated through reduction division–meiotic division of primary spermatocytes

Short lived–so can’t find on section

Undergo second meiotic division–sister chromatids separate into the resulting 2 spermatids

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10
Q

What are spermatids and what do they differentiate into?

A

Haploid sperm that differentiate into spermatozoa via spermiogenesis

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11
Q

What are the changes that occur during spermiogenesis and what are the spermatids physically attached to during this process?

A

Spermatids are physically attached to Sertoli cell plasma membrane

Acrosome formation– cap which contains hydrolytic enzymes that dissociate cells of the corona radiate and digest the zone pellucid of the oocyte

Flagellum formation– Centrioles–initiate microtubule assembly then mitochondria aggregate

Nuclear changes–condenses/elongates/moves anteriorly

Change in orientation– Reorients so head points toward basal lamina and flagellum extends into lumen

Later changes- excess cytoplasm (residual body) phagocytosed by Sertoli cells—spermiation–spermatids released as spermatozoa

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12
Q

Describe Acrosome formation?

A

cap which contains hydrolytic enzymes that dissociate cells of the corona radiate and digest the zone pellucid of the oocyte

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13
Q

Describe Flagellum formation?

A

Centrioles–initiate microtubule assembly then mitochondria aggregate

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14
Q

Describe nuclear changes?

A

condenses/elongates/moves anteriorly

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15
Q

What changes in orientation occur spermiogenesis?

A

Reorients so head points toward basal lamina and flagellum extends into lumen

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16
Q

What is residual body and how is it taken care of?

A

Excess cytoplasm–phagocytosed by Sertoli cells

17
Q

What is spermiation?

A

Spermatids released from Sertoli cells and from each other into lumen as spermatozoa

18
Q

What are the functions of Sertoli cells?

A
  • -Support/protection/nutrition to developing spermatozoa
  • -Phagocytosis–of residual bodies and degenerating spermatogenic cells that failed to differentiate completely
  • -Secretion–for sperm transport also androgen binding protein and hormones (inhibin) that regulate release of FSH
  • -Blood-Testis barrier–created by tight junctions btwn Sertoli cells
19
Q

What are Leydig cells and what do they do?

A

Steroid producing cells that become apparent during puberty
Produce 95% of testosterone in males

Stimulated to produce testosterone by LH

20
Q

What concentrates testosterone in seminiferous tubules?

A

Androgen binding protein secreted by Sertoli cells

21
Q

What is cryptorchidism and what does it affect?

A

failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum

Affects spermatogenesis

22
Q

What are straight tubules?

A

Join seminiferous tubules to rete testis

lined with epithelium consisting of only Sertoli cells or simple cuboidal cells

23
Q

What are Rete Testis?

A

connects straight tubules to efferent ductules
lined with simple epithelium–varies from squamous to low columnar
Produces some testicular fluid for sperm transport

24
Q

What are Efferent ductules?

A

connects rete testis to ductus epididymis
lined with simple epithelium that appears scalloped due to non-ciliated cuboidal cells and ciliated tall columnar cells(contain ONLY true cilia in the male reproductive system)

25
Q

What does the Ductus epididymis consist of?

A

highly coiled tube lined with pseudostraitified columnar epithelium

Basal cells–stem cells sitting on basal lamina
Principal cells– columnar cells with stereocilia

26
Q

What are the functions of Ductus epididymis?

A
  • -Maturation of sperm
  • -reabsorption of remaining testicular fluid by epithelial cells–head and body
  • -Phagocytosis of remaining residual bodies – head and body
  • -Reservoir for mature sperm–tail
27
Q

What do the seminal vesicles secrete?

A

alkaline substance rich in frutose for sperm energy

contributes 70% of ejaculate volume

28
Q

What are the three zones of the prostate and what is their significance?

A

Transition zone– benign prostatic hyperplasia
Middle area near urethra

Central zone–surrounds ejaculatory ducts

Peripheral zone- fontaines main prostatic glands

  • -origin of >70% of cancers
  • -palpable during digital exam of rectum
29
Q

What are Prostatic concretions?

A

calcified prostatic secretions forming concentric condensations in lumen of gland

increase in number with age

30
Q

What is secreted by prostate?

A

acidic fluid produced by columnar epithelial cells

Rich in citric acid and acid phosphatase

Contains serine protease–prostate specific antigen (PSA)

31
Q

What is PSA screening used for?

A

Levels are useful marker for the presence and progression of prostate cancer

In prostate cancer– circulating PSA increases due to its increased production and release from prostatic cancer cells

32
Q

What are the components of semen?

A

Fluids and spermatozoa from the testes

Secretions from the epididymis/bulbourethral glands/ glands of Littre/ prostate/ seminal vesicles

U8 MicroAnatomy (5 decks)

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