Testis Histology

Question 1

What tissue layer separates the lobules of the testis?

Answer 1

Tunica albuginea

Question 2

What is the sac surrounding the anterior/lateral parts of the testis called?

Answer 2

Tunica vaginalis

Question 3

What type of tissue makes up the visceral tunica vaginalis?

Answer 3

simple cuboidal epithelium

Question 4

What tube system makes up the testicular lobules?

Answer 4

Seminiferous tubules

Question 5

What are the supporting cells of the seminiferous tubules called?

Answer 5

Sertoli cells

Question 6

What are the germ cells which are always associated with the basal lamina called?

Answer 6

Spermatogonium

Question 7

What is the process of spermatogenesis starting with the spermatogonium?

Answer 7

Spermatogonium (Dark A, Pale A, B)
Primary Spermatocyte
Secondary spermatocyte
Early spermatids
Spermatozoa

Question 8

Which germ cell do you almost never see on a slide?

Answer 8

Secondary spermatocyte

Question 9

What are the three types of spermatogonia?

Answer 9

A light
A dark
B

Question 10

Which spermatogonia can self renew?

Answer 10

Pale type A spermatogonia

Question 11

Which are the largest of the germ cells?

Answer 11

Primary spermatocytes

Question 12

What stage of development do primary spermatocytes enter? Secondary spermatocytes?

Answer 12

Primary: Meiosis I
Secondary: Meiosis II

Question 13

At what point do the germ cells become haploid?

Answer 13

Secondary spermatocytes

Question 14

What is the structure that is left behind by Spermiogenesis called?

Answer 14

Residual bodies

Question 15

What are the three main structures of a sperm?

Answer 15

Head, middle piece, principle piece

Question 16

What are the four “phases” of spermiogenesis?

Answer 16

Golgi phase
Cap phase
Acrosomal phase
Maturation phase

Question 17

What are formed in the golgi phase?

Answer 17

Acrosomal granules

Question 18

What forms the cap over the spermatid nucleus?

Answer 18

Acrosomal vescile (formed from acrosomal granules)

Question 19

In what phase does the acrosomal vesicle fuse?

Answer 19

Cap phase

Question 20

During which phase does the head of the spermatid orient toward the base?

Answer 20

Acrosomal phase

Question 21

Where do mitochondria aggregate in the acrosomal phase?

Answer 21

Middle piece

Question 22

What structures are indicated in helping nuclear elongation of hte sperm?

Answer 22

Manchettes (microtubules)

Question 23

During which phase are the sperm released into the lumen, with the residual bodies phagocytosed?

Answer 23

Maturation phase

Question 24

What is thought to be the role of the annulus in the sperm?

Answer 24

Keep the mitochondria in the middle piece

Question 25

What is the immunologic role of sertoli cells?

Answer 25

Zonula occludens in base form blood-testis barrier

Question 26

What are the two compartments formed by the blood-testis barrier in the seminiferous tubules?

Answer 26

Basal compartment

Adluminal compartment

Question 27

What two endocrine proteins are produced by sertoli cells?

Answer 27

Androgen binding protein

Inhibin

Question 28

What is the role of the interstitial cells of Leydig?

Answer 28

Testosterone production

Question 29

What cytoplasmic structures are prevalent in Interstitial Cells?

Answer 29

Smooth ER

Large, round nuclei

Question 30

Which cells have receptors for LH?

Answer 30

Interstitial cells

Question 31

Which cells have receptors for FSH?

Answer 31

Sertoli cells

Question 32

What is produced by Sertoli cells to make negative feedback on the hypothalamus FSH/LH production?

Answer 32

Inhibin