The Male Reproductive System

Question 1

Which parts of the male reproductive tract produce elements of seminal fluid?

Answer 1

Seminal Vesicle
Prostate Gland

Question 2

Transport of gametes starts in the…

Answer 2

testes

Question 3

All seminiferous tubules drain into the…

Answer 3

mediastinum

Question 4

Mediastinum

Answer 4

Dense CT with blood vessels
Contains rete testis

Question 5

Where do gametes go after the rete testis?

Answer 5

Into the Efferent ductules

Question 6

What epithelium is found in the Efferent ductules?

Efferent Ductules = Ductuli Efferentes

Answer 6

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Interspered with tall and short columnar cells

Question 7

What is the difference between the short and tall columnar cells in the efferent ductues?

Answer 7

Short: microvilli - reabsorb fluid secreted in the seminiferous tubules
Tall: Cilia - move spermatids

Question 8

Efferent Ductules Histology

Answer 8

Pseudostratified epithelium
Short and Tall columnar cells
Irregular appearance of lumen
CT between

Question 9

From the Efferent Ductles, spermatids enter the…

Answer 9

Epididymis

Question 10

What is the function of the epididymis?

Answer 10

Gamete maturation and storage

Question 11

How are mature sperm modified in the epididymis?

Answer 11

Nuclear DNA condenses
Additional loss of cytoplasm
Alterations to acrosomal membrane (anterior pole)
Motility

Question 12

What causes motility of spermatids?

Answer 12

Altered phosphatase activity regulated by cAMP, Ca2+, and intracellular pH

Question 13

What epithelium is found in the epididymis?

Answer 13

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia

Question 14

The Epididymis histologically

Epididymis = Ductus Epididymis

Answer 14

Lumen appears regular and smooth
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia

Question 15

What is the function of stereocilia in the epididymis?

Answer 15

Detect lumen contents
Regulates secretion and absorption by principal cells in order to make the right environment for maturation and storage of sperm

Question 16

Prinicpal cells in the epididymis function to…

Answer 16

reabsorb fluid
secrete glycosylated products that aid in sperm maturation
partiticpate in decapitation

Question 17

Cells in the epididymis are sensitive to…

Answer 17

androgens

Question 18

Decapacitation factor

Answer 18

Blocks binding of sperm to ZP

Blocks fertilization

Question 19

Decapitation

Answer 19

Addition of decapacitation factor in the epididymis to block fertilization

Question 20

Capacitation

Answer 20

Removal of decapacitation factor in the female reproductive tract to permit fertilization

Question 21

Sperm exit the epididymis into the…

Answer 21

vas deferens

Question 22

The vas deferens joins with the _ duct near the bladder to form the _.

Answer 22

Seminal vesicle
Ejaculatory Duct

Question 23

What is the flow of semen production?

Answer 23

Testes → seminiferous tubule → straight tubule → rete testis → efferent ductules → epididymis → vas deferens → vas deferens joins seminal vesical → ejaculatory duct → prostate → urethra

Question 24

What is the function of the vas deferens?

Vas deferens = Ductus Deferens

Answer 24

Carry sperm through the spermatic cord to prostatic urethra

Question 25

What epithelium lines the vas deferens?

Answer 25

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia

Question 26

What differentiates the vas deferens from the epididymis?

Answer 26

Thick muscular layer (2-3 layers)

Question 27

What are the three muscular layers of the vas deferens?

Answer 27

Inner longitudinal Middle circular Outer longitudinal

Question 28

Pampiniform plexus

Answer 28

Found near the vas deferens Veins with bundles of longitduinal muscle in the tunia intima and tunica adventitia

Question 29

Vas deferens histologically

Answer 29

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium Inner longitudinal Middle circular Outer longitudinal Pamipiniform plexus nearby

Question 29

Where is the prostate gland located?

Answer 29

Wrapped around the urethra

Question 30

What is the function of the prostate gland?

Answer 30

Releases product into the urethra

Question 31

What is the product released from the prostate gland into the urethra?

Answer 31

Slightly alkaline fluid that contains enzymes that maintain seminal fluid as liquid

Question 32

Does prostate disease effect urethral function? Why or Why not?

Answer 32

Yes The prostate surrounds the urethra so inflammation or hypertrophy can impact urethral function

Question 33

What are symptoms of prostate disease?

Answer 33

Difficulty urinating (starting, volume, incomplete voiding, pain)

Question 34

Inflammation of the prostate in what zones impacts the urethra?

Answer 34

Transitional zone Periurethral zone

Question 35

Inflammation in which zone does not impede the function of the urethra?

Answer 35

Peripheral zone

Question 36

Why does prostate cancer usually not impact urethra function?

Answer 36

It usually appears in the peripheral zone

Question 37

Prostate histology

Answer 37

Urethra in center Glandular tissue pseudostratified to stratified squamous epithelium in lumen Fibromuscular stroma Secretory/Ducts Corpora Amylacea

Question 38

Fibromuscular Stroma

Answer 38

Smooth muscle mixed with collagen fibers

Question 39

How is the Corpora Amylacea formed?

Answer 39

Prostatic secretions percipitate out

Question 40

Function of the seminal vesicle is controlled by...

Answer 40

testosterone

Question 41

What is the seminal vesicle?

Answer 41

Paired, elongated highly folded tubular glands

Question 42

Describe the wall of the seminal vesicle

Answer 42

Wall has mucosa (pseudostratified columnar with lamina propria) Thin layer of smooth muscle fibrous coat

Question 43

How many lumens does the seminal vesicle have?

Answer 43

Single lumen but folds make it look like many lumens histologically

Question 44

What are mucosal crypts?

Answer 44

The folds in the lumen of the seminal vesicle that make it look like it has multiple lumens

Question 45

What is secreted from the seminal vesicle?

Answer 45

Viscous liquid contains fructose (metabolic subtrate for sperm), other simple sugars, amino acids, asorbic acid and prostaglandins

Question 46

In the seminal vesicle, lamina propria is most visible in the...

Answer 46

mucosal crypts

Question 47

Tunica albuginea in the penis

Answer 47

Dense CT and corpus cavernosum

Question 48

Corpus cavernosum

Answer 48

Single deep artery - may only see branches smaller arteries Cavernous sinus Erectile tissue

Question 49

Corpus spongiosum

Answer 49

not a lot of blood space Immediately surrouds urethra Glands of littre

Question 50

Erection Hydraulics

Answer 50

Blood travels into spaces in the corpora cavernosa → results in a build up of pressure

Question 51

Penis histology

Answer 51

Skin Tunica Albuginea (dense CT) Corpora Canvernosa Corpus Spongiosum Urethra Helicinie Arteries w/ erectile tissue

Question 52

Cavernous sinus

Answer 52

Found in the corpus cavernosum Space that fills with blood during erection

Question 52

Glands of littre

Answer 52

Mucus secreting glands that secrete into urethra