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Histology > Male Reproductive Tracts > Flashcards

Male Reproductive Tracts Flashcards

1
Q

Tunica albuginea

A

A thick, dense collagenous capsule enclosing the testis

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2
Q

What divides the testis into lobules

A

Fibrous septa

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3
Q

Number of lobules in testis

A

250

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4
Q

What does each testicular lobule contain

A

Up to 4 germ-cell producing seminiferous tubules

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5
Q

Seminiferous tubule

A

A 50cm loop
Open at both ends

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6
Q

Rete testis

A

A network of channels that collect sperm from the seminiferous tubules and deliver it to the epididymis

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7
Q

What do seminiferous tubules drain into

A

Rete testis

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8
Q

Length of seminiferous epithelium in 2 testes

A

1km

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9
Q

Leydig cells

A

Produce testosterone

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10
Q

Where are leydig cells located

A

In clumps between the loops of seminiferous tubules

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11
Q

What lines the seminiferous tubules

A

Stratified epithelium consisting of supporting Sertoli cells and cells of the germ line (developing spermatozoa)

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12
Q

Cells at the peripheral of each seminiferous tubule

A

Spermatogonia

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13
Q

Structure of spermatogonia

A

germinal epithelium that produces large cells with speckled chromatin within their nuclei

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14
Q

Where do spermatocytes develop from

A

Spermatogonia

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15
Q

Function of Sertoli cells

A

Form blood-testis barrier
Nurture the developing sperm

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16
Q

How long does sperm production take

A

64 days

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17
Q

Wave of maturation

A

Sperm maturation
Passes slowly down each tubule

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18
Q

Consequence of failure of the blood-testis barrier

A

Individual would recognise sperm as non-self and raise antibodies against them
Destroy sperm rendering him infertile

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19
Q

How to recognise Sertoli cells

A

Pale-staining irregular nucleus

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20
Q

What encloses each seminiferous tubule

A

A thin fibrous collagenous capsule

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21
Q

Cells towards the centre of the seminiferous tubule

A

Depends on phase of spermatogenesis cycle

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22
Q

How to recognise primary and secondary spermatocytes or spermatids

A

Small dense round nucleus

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23
Q

How to recognise spermatozoa

A

Narrow elongated nuclei- heads

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24
Q

At what stage of development of sperm does reduction division take place

A

First meiotic division occurs when the primary spermatocytes become secondary spermatocytes

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25
Q

Where does the reduction division take place in relation to the blood-testis barrier

A

Occurs on luminal side of barrier where the developing spermatids are not in direct contact with the blood stream - prevents production of auto-antibodies that would destroy the sperm

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26
Q

What lines the Rete testis

A

Cuboidal epithelium

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27
Q

Structure of epididymis

A

Single long (5cm) coiled tube surrounded by a thick fibrous capsule

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28
Q

Attachment of epididymis

A

Mediastinum of testis posteirorlj

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29
Q

Length of epididymis

A

5cm

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30
Q

Function of epididymis

A

Storage and maturation site for sperm

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31
Q

What lines the epididymis

A

Tall pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium
Small rounded basal cells support tall columnar cells with stereocilia (very long microvilli)

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32
Q

Function of columnar cells with stereocilia in epididymis

A

Re-absorb excess testicular fluid
Phagocytose damaged sperm and cell debris
Provide nutrients for waiting sperm

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33
Q

What surrounds the epididymis

A

A thin layer of smooth muscle which becomes thicker and multi-layered as it approaches the vas deferens

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34
Q

What is unique about stereocilia

A

Not motile and do not have a core of microtubules- unlike cilia

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35
Q

Structure of vas deferens

A

Spirally arranged layers of smooth muscle

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36
Q

Lining of vas deferens

A

Pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium (less tall than epididymis)
Small rounded basal cells supporting columnar cells with microvilli (shorter than epididymis)
Sometimes thrown into longitudinal folds supported by a laminated propria

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37
Q

What helps to expel sperm during ejaculation

A

Sudden and rhythmic contractions of the vas deferens

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38
Q

What does the internal spermatic fascia enclose

A

Vas deferens
Testicular artery
Nerves
Lymphatics
Veins

39
Q

Number of layer of smooth muscle in wall of vas deferens

40
Q

How to histologically differentiate between vas deferens and other vessels running in The cord

A

Thicker smooth muscle wall in vas deferens
Pseudo-stratified epithelium in vas deferens whereas simple squamous endothelium in arteyr

41
Q

Structure of seminal vesicles

A

Long, highly coiled glands
Double layered capsule of smooth muscle

42
Q

Location of seminal vesicles

A

Postero-inferior wall of bladder

43
Q

Lining of seminal vesicles

A

Columnar Epithelium thrown into long, narrow folds

44
Q

What stimulates cells of seminal vesicles

A

Testosterone

45
Q

Function of cells lining seminal vesicles

A

Enlarge in response to testosterone
Secrete a creamy opalescent fluid with an acid pH

46
Q

Composition of semen

A

Acid pH
Rich in globulin, vitamin C, amino acids and sugar (notably fructose - major nutrient for sperm)

47
Q

Structure of prostate gland

A

50 branched tubular glands embedded in a strong matrix composed mainly of smooth muscle
Surrounded by a thick capsule of smooth muscle

48
Q

Arrangement of glands in prostate gland

A

3 concentric layers - mucosal, submucosal and main
Discharge by separate ducts into prostatic urethra

49
Q

Where does contents of the ejaculatory duct come from

A

Sperm and secretions of the seminal vesicles

50
Q

Shape of prostate glands

A

Varies from relatively straight tubes to coiled or branching tubes
Epithelium thrown into broad branching folds

51
Q

Testosterone and prostate gland cells

A

Increase in height and secrete a range of digestive enzymes - notably acid phosphates

52
Q

What is seen in lumen of prostate glands

A

Secretory product
Occasionally solid (calcified) glycoprotein aggregates

53
Q

Excessive benign growth of prostate gland epithelium

A

May occur in middle to old age
May lead to compression of urethra and urine retention

54
Q

Divisions of the male urethra

A

Prostatic, membranous and penile

55
Q

Lining of membranous and penile urethra

A

Pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium (mostly non-secreting)
Except at its distal end- stratified squamous epithelium within the glans penis

56
Q

Lining of penile urethra within glans penis

A

Stratified squamous epithelium

57
Q

Location of bulbo-urethra glands

A

Discharge into membranous urethr

58
Q

What encloses the penile urethra

A

Corpus spongiosum

59
Q

Function of bulbo-urethra glands

A

Produce a watery galactose-rich secretion that precedes the main ejaculate

60
Q

What can cause resistance when inserting a catheter trans-urethrally

A

Toip of catheter can be diverted into the blind-ended bulbo-urethral glands

61
Q

Structure of the shaft of the penis

A

Contains 2 dorsal corpora cavernosa and 1 ventral corpus spongiosum that at its distal end becomes the glans penis

62
Q

Arterial supply to erectile compartments of penis

A

Helicine branches of pudendal artery

63
Q

How does the epithelium inside the foreskin (prepuce) differ to that of the rest of the penis

A

Stratified squamous keratinised epithelium - very thin and very lightly keratinised
Prone to ingress if invading organisms eg HIV

64
Q

Control of erection

A

Parasympathetic- pelvic splanchnic nerves

65
Q

Control of ejaculation

A

Sympathetic- hypogastric plexus

66
Q

Average weight of testis

67
Q

3 layers of capsule surrounding testis - outer to inner

A

Tunica vaginalis
Tunica albuginea
Tunica vasculosa

68
Q

Tunica vaginalis

A

Projection of peritoneum
Mesothelial cells on a basement membrane
Parietal and visceral layer

69
Q

Composition of tunica albuginea

A

Collagen fibres with some fibroblasts, myocytes and nerve firbes

70
Q

Tunica vasculosa

A

Loose connective tissue containing blood vessels and lymphatics

71
Q

Types of Spermatogonia

A

Type A (Ad and Ap)
Type B

72
Q

Type Ad Spermatogonia

A

Darkly stained stem cells

73
Q

Type Ap Spermatogonia

A

Pale stained cells

74
Q

Type B Spermatogonia

A

Differentiating progenitor cells
Spherical nuclei with densely stained masses of chromatin

75
Q

Development of germ cells

A

Spermatogonia
Primary spermatocytes
Secondary spermatocytes
Spermatids
Spermatozoon

76
Q

Nuclei of Sertoli cells

A

Irregularly shaped
Folded
Have a prominent nucleolus

77
Q

Structure of spermatozoa

A

Head- acrosomal cap and nucleus
Mid piece - spiral mitochondria
Tail- neck (centrioles), axoneme and plasma membrsne

78
Q

Axoneme

A

Motility of spermatozoa

79
Q

Reinke’s crystalloids

A

Found in leydig cells
Intracytoplasmis eosinophilic crystals not seen before puberty
More common with increasing age

80
Q

Number of efferent ducts after Rete testis

A

12-15 convoluted ducts which empty into epididymis

81
Q

Efferent ducts

A

Lined by ciliated and non ciliated simple columnar epithelium interspersed with cuboidal basal cells

82
Q

Weight of prostate in young adult

83
Q

Lobes of prostate

A

Anterior
Middle
2 lateral

84
Q

Regions of prostate

A

Peripheral
Central
Transitional
Peri-urethral

85
Q

Ducts of prostate

A

Large primary
Small secondary

86
Q

Acini of prostate

A

30-50 tubuloalveolar glands with convoluted edges

87
Q

Prostate acini lining

A

Secretory cells
Basal cells- form a continuous layer of
Neuroendocrine cells

88
Q

What do secretory cells of prostate secrete

89
Q

Function of PSA

A

Liquifies semen after ejaculation

90
Q

Stroma of prostate

A

Smooth muscle
Fibroelastic fibres
Blood vessels
Nerves

91
Q

What is contained within epithelial cells of seminal vesicles

A

Vacuoles
Lipofuscin

92
Q

What produces the bulk of seminal fluid

A

Prostate
Seminal vesicles
Cowper’s glands

93
Q

What produces spermatozoa

A

Seminiferous tubules in testis

Histology (17 decks)

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