Male reproductive system histology

Question 1

What is the name of the structure which envelopes each of the testes?

Answer 1

Tunica Albuginea

Question 2

What is the name of the structure which possesses the rete testis ( a series of spaces which allow for the passage of sperm)

Answer 2

Mediastinum testes

Question 3

On average how many lobules are present in a single teste?

Answer 3

250

Question 4

Within a single lobule what is the typical range of seminiferous tubules present? What is the function of seminiferous tubules?

Answer 4

1-4. They are the site of spermatozoa production

Question 5

What is the type of connective tissue(s) present within the wall of the seminiferous tubule?

Answer 5

Myeloid cells and fibroblasts

Question 6

Within the seminiferous tubules the youngest or most immature sperm cells are located where? Oldest and most mature?

Answer 6

Youngest being the spermatogonia are located in the basal lamina (the outermost layer) whereas the oldest being the mature spermatozoa are located in the ad luminal compartment (nearest center).

Question 7

How would one go about defining the process of spermatogenesis?

Answer 7

Process by which mature spermatozoa are formed from immature diploid spermatogonia.

Question 8

What are the 3 phases of spermatogenesis?

Answer 8

1. Spermatocytogenesis
2. Meiosis
3. Differentiation or Spermiogenesis

Question 9

Name the process by which spermatogonia undergo mitosis and differentiation to become primary spermatocytes

Answer 9

Spermatocytogenesis

Question 10

The mitotic stem cells of sperm lineage, giving rise to additional spermatogonia, they have a flattened nucleus. Name these cells.

Answer 10

Type A spermatogonia

Question 11

These cells give rise to primary spermatocytes and have a rounded nucleus. Name these cells.

Answer 11

Type B Spermatogonia

Question 12

These cells arise from Type B spermatogonia, migrate from the basal lamina to the ad lunminal compartment, and have the largest known nucleus of the sperm cell lineage. Name these cells.

Answer 12

Primary spermatocytes

Question 13

These cells arise from primary spermatocytes after the first meotic division. Name these cells and their ploidy?

Answer 13

Secondary spermatocytes

Haploid = 1N = 1 chromosome

(DNA content = 2N)

Question 14

These cells are formed from the 2nd meotic division of secondary spermatocytes. Name these cells and their ploidy?

Answer 14

Spermatids

Haploid = 1N = 1 chromatid

DNA content = 1N

Question 15

This is the process by which mature spermatorzoa are formed from spermatids; there are no cell divisions involved. What is the name of this process?

Answer 15

Spermiogenesis

Question 16

This cell contains enzymes which help it to facilitate fertilization by separating the cells of the ovum’s corona radiata and penetrating the zona pellucida. Name this cell and which part of the sperm cell lineage it is associated with?

Answer 16

Acromosome

Spermiogenesis

Question 17

In the process of spermiogenesis the 2nd to last major event is the development of the flagella. Further analysis shows that its development is divided into two distinct parts being the prinicpal piece and the middle piece. How would one go about distinguishing the these pieces from one another?

Answer 17

The principal piece forms from a centriole that migrates to the posterior of the nucleus

The middle piece is located between the sperm head and the principal piece and accumulates mitochondria which are responsible for the generation of flagellar motion.

Question 18

After the final step of spermiogenesis, shedding of excess cytoplasm how could one define the sperm at this stage?

Answer 18

Mature but not yet functional

Question 19

What is the order of the steps of spermatogenesis

Answer 19

Spermatogonia Type A–>Mitosis–> Spermatogonia type B–>Mitosis–> Primary spermatocytes–> 1st meiotic division–> Secondary spermatocytes–> 2ns meotic division–> Spermatids–> Spermatozoa

Question 20

How could one easily identify a sertoli cell?

Answer 20

Nucleus is basally located and pale with a oval-_triangular_ nucleolus.

Question 21

In lecture there are several fucntions of the Sertoli cell but of those mentioned there are 2 which are shown to be critical what are those 2?

Answer 21

Androgen-binding protein: Produced by the sertoli cell, stimulated by FSH, is responsible for concentrating testosterone within the tubule to a level that promotes spermatogenesis.

Blood testes barrier: Formed by tight junctions (zona occludens) joining sertoli cells near their base

Question 22

From the Sertoli cell tight junctions, 2 concentric compartments are formed within the seminiferous tubule. What are the names of these compartments, and what could one expect to find within each one?

Answer 22

The basal lamina and the ad luminal compartment

in the basal lamina one could expect to find spermatogonia whereas in the ad luminal compartment one could expect to see spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa.

Question 23

Upon completion of spermiogenesis, the spermatozoa are still immotile and rely upon the genital ducts in order to get to the testes and eventually the epididymus. Name these three ducts in order?

Answer 23

Tubuli recti- straigh tubules between seminiferous tubules and (empty directly into) rete testes.

Rete testes- series of simple cuboidal lined spaces in the mediastinum testes.

Efferent Ducts- short straight ducts that both lie on and exit the testes. Lined with cilia which assist in movement of spermatozoa.

Question 24

This thin tubule is actually about 15ft long and consists of a head body and tail. What is the name of this structure? Name the 2 cell types present?

Answer 24

Epididymis

Basal cells

Principal cells (have stereocilia)

Question 25

This structure continues from the tail of the epididymis to the prostatic urethra, lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium, stereocilia, and a thick layer of circularly arranged smooth muscle. Name this structure along with its 2 anatomically relevant features?

Answer 25

Vas deferens

Ampulla- dilated region near the prostate

Ejeculatory duct- portion of vas deferens where ampulla is joined by the seminal vesicle and extends through the prostate gland

Question 26

What is the name of the pair of coiled tubular glands located behind the prostate and neck of the bladder and what is their function?

Answer 26

Seminal vesicles- secrete nutrient (fructose) rich fluid which acts as an important energy source for spermatozoa

Question 27

This gland is the largest of all the accessory glands and is comprised of 3 different glands. Name this gland along with the percentage each sub-gland comprises. What is the type of epithelim present?

Answer 27

Prostate gland

• mucosal glands: 5%
• submucosal glands: 25%
• main prostatic glands: 70%

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Question 28

Unfortunately the prostate gland is known to accumulate concretions with age. What is the name of these solid masses?

Answer 28

Corpora amylacea

Question 29

Also known as “Cowper’s glands” what is the name of the glands responsible for producing a viscous secretion which lubricates the penile urethra?

Answer 29

Bulbourethral glands

Question 30

Numerous, small, mucus secreting glands present along the length of the male urethra are known as?

Answer 30

Urethral glands

Question 31

What are the names/orientation of the 3 columns of erectile tissue?

Answer 31

Corpora Cavernosa (x2) - dorsal, side by side

Corpus spongiosum (x1) - ventral, urethra passes through it

Question 32

Under which division of the autonomic nervous system is an erection facilitated by? Which division is responsible for loss of erection?

Answer 32

Parasympathetic

Sympathetic- due to arterial constriction resulting in a lack of blood flow to erectile tissue