The Male Reproductive System Flashcards
Which parts of the male reproductive tract produce elements of seminal fluid?
Seminal Vesicle
Prostate Gland
Transport of gametes starts in the…
testes
All seminiferous tubules drain into the…
mediastinum
Mediastinum
Dense CT with blood vessels
Contains rete testis
Where do gametes go after the rete testis?
Into the Efferent ductules
What epithelium is found in the Efferent ductules?
Efferent Ductules = Ductuli Efferentes
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Interspered with tall and short columnar cells
What is the difference between the short and tall columnar cells in the efferent ductues?
Short: microvilli - reabsorb fluid secreted in the seminiferous tubules
Tall: Cilia - move spermatids
Efferent Ductules Histology
Pseudostratified epithelium
Short and Tall columnar cells
Irregular appearance of lumen
CT between
From the Efferent Ductles, spermatids enter the…
Epididymis
What is the function of the epididymis?
Gamete maturation and storage
How are mature sperm modified in the epididymis?
Nuclear DNA condenses
Additional loss of cytoplasm
Alterations to acrosomal membrane (anterior pole)
Motility
What causes motility of spermatids?
Altered phosphatase activity regulated by cAMP, Ca2+, and intracellular pH
What epithelium is found in the epididymis?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia
The Epididymis histologically
Epididymis = Ductus Epididymis
Lumen appears regular and smooth
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia
What is the function of stereocilia in the epididymis?
Detect lumen contents
Regulates secretion and absorption by principal cells in order to make the right environment for maturation and storage of sperm
Prinicpal cells in the epididymis function to…
reabsorb fluid
secrete glycosylated products that aid in sperm maturation
partiticpate in decapitation
Cells in the epididymis are sensitive to…
androgens
Decapacitation factor
Blocks binding of sperm to ZP
Blocks fertilization
Decapitation
Addition of decapacitation factor in the epididymis to block fertilization
Capacitation
Removal of decapacitation factor in the female reproductive tract to permit fertilization
Sperm exit the epididymis into the…
vas deferens
The vas deferens joins with the _ duct near the bladder to form the _.
Seminal vesicle
Ejaculatory Duct
What is the flow of semen production?
Testes → seminiferous tubule → straight tubule → rete testis → efferent ductules → epididymis → vas deferens → vas deferens joins seminal vesical → ejaculatory duct → prostate → urethra
What is the function of the vas deferens?
Vas deferens = Ductus Deferens
Carry sperm through the spermatic cord to prostatic urethra
What epithelium lines the vas deferens?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia
What differentiates the vas deferens from the epididymis?
Thick muscular layer (2-3 layers)
What are the three muscular layers of the vas deferens?
Inner longitudinal
Middle circular
Outer longitudinal
Pampiniform plexus
Found near the vas deferens
Veins with bundles of longitduinal muscle in the tunia intima and tunica adventitia
Vas deferens histologically
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Inner longitudinal
Middle circular
Outer longitudinal
Pamipiniform plexus nearby
Where is the prostate gland located?
Wrapped around the urethra
What is the function of the prostate gland?
Releases product into the urethra
What is the product released from the prostate gland into the urethra?
Slightly alkaline fluid that contains enzymes that maintain seminal fluid as liquid
Does prostate disease effect urethral function? Why or Why not?
Yes
The prostate surrounds the urethra so inflammation or hypertrophy can impact urethral function
What are symptoms of prostate disease?
Difficulty urinating (starting, volume, incomplete voiding, pain)
Inflammation of the prostate in what zones impacts the urethra?
Transitional zone
Periurethral zone
Inflammation in which zone does not impede the function of the urethra?
Peripheral zone
Why does prostate cancer usually not impact urethra function?
It usually appears in the peripheral zone
Prostate histology
Urethra in center
Glandular tissue
pseudostratified to stratified squamous epithelium in lumen
Fibromuscular stroma
Secretory/Ducts
Corpora Amylacea
Fibromuscular Stroma
Smooth muscle mixed with collagen fibers
How is the Corpora Amylacea formed?
Prostatic secretions percipitate out
Function of the seminal vesicle is controlled by…
testosterone
What is the seminal vesicle?
Paired, elongated highly folded tubular glands
Describe the wall of the seminal vesicle
Wall has mucosa (pseudostratified columnar with lamina propria)
Thin layer of smooth muscle
fibrous coat
How many lumens does the seminal vesicle have?
Single lumen but folds make it look like many lumens histologically
What are mucosal crypts?
The folds in the lumen of the seminal vesicle that make it look like it has multiple lumens
What is secreted from the seminal vesicle?
Viscous liquid
contains fructose (metabolic subtrate for sperm), other simple sugars, amino acids, asorbic acid and prostaglandins
In the seminal vesicle, lamina propria is most visible in the…
mucosal crypts
Tunica albuginea in the penis
Dense CT and corpus cavernosum
Corpus cavernosum
Single deep artery - may only see branches
smaller arteries
Cavernous sinus
Erectile tissue
Corpus spongiosum
not a lot of blood space
Immediately surrouds urethra
Glands of littre
Erection Hydraulics
Blood travels into spaces in the corpora cavernosa → results in a build up of pressure
Penis histology
Skin
Tunica Albuginea (dense CT)
Corpora Canvernosa
Corpus Spongiosum
Urethra
Helicinie Arteries w/ erectile tissue
Cavernous sinus
Found in the corpus cavernosum
Space that fills with blood during erection
Glands of littre
Mucus secreting glands that secrete into urethra
