Pelvis 04: Male Reproductive System Flashcards
What is the pathway of sperm?
Testes (Seminiferous tubules -> straight tubules -> rete testis -> efferent ductules) -> Epididymis (head -> body -> tail) -> Deferent duct -> ampulla of deferent duct -> ejaculatory duct -> urethra (prostatic -> membranous -> bulbar -> penile)
Testis
The site of sperm production and storage, located behind the tunica vaginalis testis
Tunica albuginea
The capsule of the testis; consists of some smooth muscle
How long does it take a spermatogonium to be a spermatozoan?
52 days
How long does it take a spermatozoan to mature?
12 dasy
How many lobules are in each testis?
~250
Testicular septa
Extensions of the tunica albuginea deep into the testis
Mediastinum testes
Invaginations of the tunica albugenia inside the testis; contains rete testes
Testicular lobule
A unit that contains 1-4 highly convoluted seminiferous tubules
Seminiferous tubules
Site of spermatogenesis and the start of spermiogenesis; surrounded by fiborous connective tissue and smooth muscle
Spermatogenesis
The production of sperm
Spermiogenesis
Maturation of male gametes into motile sperm
Sertoli cells
Cells found inside seminiferous tubules; they nourish sperm during development and are receptors for testosterone
Leydig cells
Interstitial cells outside the seminiferous tubules that secrete testosterone and other androgens into the blood stream
Straight tubules
Connections from the seminiferous tubules to the mediastinum testes; also known as tubuli recti
What cellt ypes make up the straight tubules?
Columnar sertoli-like cells
Rete testis
Rete in the mediastinum testis consisting of simpel cubiodal epithelium and a dense fibrous interstitium
Efferent ductules
Ductules leaving the testis and moving sperm into the epididymis
What are the histological properties of the efferent ductules?
- Simple columnar ciliated epithelia
- Smooth muscle around ductule
- Sperm in lumen
- Some nonciliated cells are there to absorb fluid
What are the histological properties of the epididymis?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with sterocilia for absorbind fluid
Very thick smooth muscle
Sperm in lumen
Where is sperm stored before ejaculation?
The tail of the epididymis
How are spermatozoa matured?
Acrosome cap forms from the golgi aparatus; centrioles and mitochondria migrate to the neck
What is the pathway of the deferent duct?
Scrotum -> spermatic cord -> Inguinal canal -> Abdominal cavity (a small section) -> Pelvic cavity
Deferent duct
The duct that transports sperm to the ejaculatory duct during ejaculation
What are the smooth muscle layers of the different duct?
Outer layer, middle circular, inner mucosa
What are the histological properties of the deferens duct?
Three muscle layers (another flash card)
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with discontinuous basal cell layer
Thick lamina propria
Vasectomy
Cutting the deferent duct to prevent the ejection of sperm during ejaculation
Ejaculatory duct
Starts where the deferent duct merges with the duct of the seminal gland; opens into the prostatic urethra
In males, where do the urinary and genital systems merge?
In the prostate, where the ejaculatory duct pierces through and then empties into the prostatic urethra
Ampulla of ductus deferens
A widening of the deferent duct as it empties into the urethra
Seminal glands
Subperitoneal glands located on the dorsal aspect of the bladder that provides some of the fluid of semen; it is not a storage site for spermatozoa
What are the histological properties of the seminal gland?
Pseudostratified cuboidal and columnar epithelium with secretory cells
It has smooth muscle in the wall that contracts during ejaculation to expel contents
What percentage of semen fluid comes from the seminal glands?
80%
Prostate
A gland that is the site of the emptying of the ejaculatory duct into the urethra
What are the histological properties of the prostate?
- Surrounded by fibromusular capsule
- Septa separate about 50 lobules
- Branched tubulo-acinar glands in the stroma
- Irregular leaf-like glands
What are the four zones of the prostate?
Anterior, transitional, central, peripheral
Which zone of the prostate is the common site of prostate cancers?
Peripheral zone
Which zone of the prostate is the urethra located in?
Transitional zone
Which zone of the prostate is the ejaculator duct located in?
Transitional zone, but more prosterior than the urethra
Which zone of the prostate is the bulk of the gland?
Peripheral zone
What percentage of semen fluid comes from the prostate?
10%
What is related to the prostate superiorly?
The bladder
What is related to the prostate inferiorly?
Deep perineal pouch and perineal membrane
What is related to the prostate laterally?
Endopelvic fascia and prostatic plexus of veins, arteries, and nerves
What is related to the prostate posteriorly?
Rectum
Denoviller’s fascia
A fascia that surrounds the prostate and separates it from the rectum
What are the sections of the male urethra?
Preprostatic -> prostatic -> membranous -> spongy
Preprostatic urethra
The part of the male urethra before the prostate
Prostatic urethra
The part of the male urethra inside the prostate; the site of the merge with the ejaculatory ducts
Membranous urethra
The part of the male urethra in the deep perineal pouch and through the perineal membrane
Spongy urethra
The part of the male urethra that is penile
What are the two bends of the spongy urethra?
Pre-pubic and sub-pubic
What are the histological properties of the penile urethra?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium that transitions distally into stratified squamous
Periurethral glands of Littre
glands found in the penile urethra that provide mucinous secretions to the urethral surface
Semen
Ejaculate fluid
What things contribute to the semen
Sperm from the testes, fluid from the prostate, fluid from the seminal glands, secretions from the periuthreal glands of Littre
