Microanatomy Lecture 4

Question 1

What is the endocrine function of the testes?

Answer 1

produce testosterone

Question 2

What is the exocrine function of the testes?

Answer 2

produce spermatozoa

Question 3

What is the serous sac covering the anterolateral surface of each testis?

Answer 3

tunica vaginalis - extension of the abdominal peritoneum

Question 4

Vessels and ducts pass through the ______________ as they enter and leave the testis

Answer 4

inguinal canal

Question 5

Characterize the epithelium found in seminiferous tubules

Answer 5

complex stratified germinal epithelium

Question 6

Characterize the epithelium found in tubuli recti

Answer 6

simple cuboidal

Question 7

Characterize the epithelium found in rete testis

Answer 7

simple squamous to columnar

Question 8

Characterize the epithelium found in ductuli efferentes

Answer 8

simple non-ciliated cuboidal and ciliated columnar

Question 9

Characterize the epithelium found in ductus epididymis

Answer 9

pseudostratified columnar with stereocilia

Question 10

Characterize the epithelium found in vas deferens

Answer 10

pseudostratified columnar with stereocilia

Question 11

In spermatogenesis, what cells divide during the first meiotic division?

Answer 11

primary spermatocytes (to produce secondary spermatocytes)

Question 12

In spermatogenesis, what cells divide during the second meiotic division?

Answer 12

secondary spermatocytes (to form early spermatids)

Question 13

What morphological changes occur to the spermatid during spermiogenesis?

Answer 13

final step of spermatogenesis

1. acrosome formation
2. flagellum formation
3. nucleus condenses, elongates, moves anteriorly
4. change in orientation (head towards basal lamina)
5. excess cytoplasm is released and phagocytosed

Question 14

The release of spermatozoa from sertoli cells is called ______________

Answer 14

spermiation

Question 15

Miochondria are concentrated in what portion of spermatozoa?

Answer 15

middle

Question 16

Name 4 functions of Sertoli cells

Answer 16

1. support, protection, nutrition
2. phagocytosis of residual bodies
3. secretion of testicular fluid and androgen biding protein
4. blood-testis barrier (tight junctions between sertoli cells)

Question 17

What is the function of Leydig cells?

Answer 17

testosterone production - stimulated by leutinizing hormone

Question 18

What is the role of androgen binding protein?

Answer 18

concentrate testosterone in seminiferous tubule

Question 19

What is cryptochidism and why does it result in sterility if not corrected?

Answer 19

failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum

temperature is too high in the abdominal cavity for sperm production

Question 20

Most of the testicular fluid is produced by ______________

Answer 20

Sertoli cells (some from rete testis)

Question 21

Most of the testicular fluid is absorbed by ______________

Answer 21

efferent ductules

Question 22

List 4 functions of the epididymis

Answer 22

1. maturation of newly produced sperm (acquire motility, ability to fertilize oocyte)
2. reabsorption of remaining testicular fluid
3. reabsorption of remaining residual bodies and sperm that degnerated
4. reservoir for mature sperm
5. also expulsion of sperm in response to sympathetic ejactulation

Question 23

How can one differentiate the ductus deferens from the ductus epididymis in cross section?

Answer 23

ductus deferens: smaller lumen and thicker muscular wall

Question 24

In which portion of the male reproductive tract is sperm transport passive?

Answer 24

from seminiferous tubules to ductuli efferentes

Question 25

In which portion of the male reproductive tract is sperm transport active?

Answer 25

ductuli efferentes to urethra (beating ciliar and muscle contraction)

Question 26

Secretions from which accessory gland are responsible for liquefying semen?

Answer 26

prostate (contains proteases that liquefy the semen)

Question 27

Fructose is a major component of the secretions from which accessory gland?

Answer 27

seminal vesicles

Question 28

Secretions from which accessory glands play a role in lubricating the penile urethra?

Answer 28

bulbourethral gland and glands of Littre

Question 29

In what order are secretions from the accessory glands released during ejaculation?

Answer 29

bulbourethral glands and glands of Littre
prostate secretions
seminal vesicle fluid

Question 30

Which accessory gland contributes the greatest volume to semen?

Answer 30

seminal vesicle

Question 31

Which zone of the prostate surrounds the urethra?

Answer 31

transition zone

Question 32

Which zone of the prostate surrounds the ejaculatory ducts?

Answer 32

central zone

Question 33

Which zone of the prostate is the site of origin of most prostate cancers?

Answer 33

peripheral zone

Question 34

Which zone of the prostate is the site of origin of benign prostatic hypertrophy? What are prostatic concretions?

Answer 34

transition zone
concretions: calcified prostatic secretions forming concentric condensations that are frequently observed in lumen of glands (increase with age)

Question 35

What is prostate specific antigen (PSA)? Why does it increase with prostate cancer?

Answer 35

produced by epithelium of prostate - normalle released into prostatic fluid
in cancer, increased because of increased production and release from prostatic cancer cells

Question 36

Are increased PSA levels diagnostic of prostate cancer?

Answer 36

No, can occur with BPH and inflammation of prostate

diagnosis requires needle biopsy