Histology Final (Male Reproductive System)

Front 1

Testis

Back 1

-ovoid organ

-unusually thick tunica albugenia

-about 250 lobules per testi

-each lobule = 1-4 highly convoluted seminiferous tubules & a CT stroma

-Leydig cells in stroma

Front 2

Spermatogenesis

Back 2

-process in which sperm is produced

-requires testis to be maintained below normal body temp

3 Phases:

1) spermatogonia

2) spermocytes

3) spermatids

Front 3

Spermatogonia Phase

Back 3

-stem cells divide to replace themselves & provide a population of committed spermatogonia

-mitosis division

Front 4

Spermocyte Phase

Back 4

-primary spermatocytes undergo 2 meiotic divisions to reduce both the chromosome number and the amount of DNA

-produce haploid cells celled spermatids

Front 5

Spermatid Phase

Back 5

-spermatids undergo extensive cell remodeling as they differentiate into mature sperm

-spermatids are released into the lumen of the seminferous tubules during the process called spermiation

Front 6

Seminiferous tubules

Back 6

-site of sperm produciton

-

Front 7

Sertoli Cells

Back 7

-the true epithelium of the seminiferous epithelium

-simple cuboidal to low columnar

-is part of the seminiferous tubule

Function: nourish developing sperm

Front 8

Rete Testis

Back 8

-anastomosing system of ducts

-lined w/ simple cuboidal to low columnar epi that has a single apical cilium

Function: carry sperm from seminiferous tubules to the efferent ducts

Front 9

Leydig cells

Back 9

-located adjacent to the seminiferous tubules (in the stroma)

Function: produce testosterone in the presence of lutetinizing hormone

Front 10

Excurrent Ducts System

Back 10

Contains:

-Efferent Ductules

-Epididymis

-Ductus Deferens (vas deferens)

Front 11

Efferent Ductules

Back 11

-lined w/ pseudostratified columnar epi (ciliated)

-about 20 of them

-connect Rete Testis to the Duct of the Epididymis

-smooth muscle layer helps transport sperm

Front 12

Epididymis

Back 12

-connects the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to it's vas deferens

-3 sections: head, body, tail

-Smooth ducts

-lined w/ pseudostratified columnar epi w/ steriocilia

-smooth muscle coat gradually gets thicker & becomes 3-layered by the tail

Front 13

Ductus Deferens

Back 13

-aka vas deferens

-longest part of the excurrent duct system

-lined w/ pseudostratified columnar epi w/ long microvilli

-thick muscular coat

-ducts not smooth

-during ejaculation, smooth muscle in the walls contract, propelling sperm forward (called peristalsis)

Function: transport sperm from the Epididymis to the Ejaculatory Ducts

Front 14

Accessory Sex Glands

Back 14

Includes:

-seminal vesicles

-prostate gland

-bulbourethral gland

Front 15

Seminal Vesicles

Back 15

-located on the posterior wall of the urinary bladder

-duct from glands + ampulla of the ductus deferens = Ejaculatory Ducts

-secretion is high in fructose (food for sperm)

-contraction of smooth muscle coat during ejaculation discharges the secretion

Front 16

Prostate Gland

Back 16

-wraps around the urethra

-largest accessory sex organ

-divided into 3 zones:

-central zone (15%, surrounds ejaculatory ducts)

-peripheral zone (75%, surrounds central zone, most cancer happens here)

-transitional zone (5%, surrounds the prostatic urethra, contains mucosal glands)

Front 17

Bulbourethral Gland

Back 17

-aka Cowper's glands

-paired glands

-pea-sized

-drain into initial penile urethra

-simple columnar epi

Function: secretes pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum)

Front 18

Penis

Back 18

Erectile tissue:

-corpus cavernosa (2)

-corpus sponginosum (contains urethra)(

-erectile tissues surrounded by tunica albuginea