Histology - Male Reproductive

Front 1

What are the accessory glands of the penis and what are their function?

Back 1

Bulbourethral, seminal vesicles, prostate gland
They manufacture the fluid part of semen which nourishes spermatazoa

Front 2

What is the tunica vaginalis?

Back 2

Parietal and visceral layers of the peritoneum that covers the testes on the anterior & lateral surfaces

Front 3

What is the tunica albuginea?

Back 3

thick fibrous connective tissue capsule of the testis which thickens posteriorly to form the mediastinum testis which divides the testis into about 250 lobules

Front 4

Describe the Lobule Testis

Back 4

Contain 1-4 seminiferous tubules and scattered interstitial cells of Leydig

Front 5

What is the function of cells of Leydig?

Back 5

Produce testosterone when stimulated by luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland
They have abundant mitochondria and smooth ER

Front 6

Describe the seminiferous tubules

Back 6

Site of spermatozoa production
Form tortuous pathways before becoming continuous with the tubuli recti

Front 7

What are the histological features of the Tubuli Recti?

Back 7

Narrow lumen lined by simple cuboidal epithelium
They lead into the Rete Testis

Front 8

Describe the Ductuli Efferentes

Back 8

They lead from the rete testis to the epididymis. Their epithelium appears as hills and valleys

Front 9

What are the two cell types in the seminiferous epithelium?

Back 9

Spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells

Front 10

Describe the development of a spermatogonium to a spermatozoa

Back 10

Spermatocytogenesis - division of spermatogonia to primary spermatocytes
Meiosis - two successive divisions to produce spermatids
Spermiogenesis - Transformation of spermatids to spermatozoa

Front 11

What are key characteristics of Sertoli cells?

Back 11

Pale, oval nucleus with large nucleolus
Form occluding junctions with other sertoli cells dividing the seminiferous tubule into a basal and adluminal compartment (zonulae occludentes)

Front 12

What is the function of the Zonulae Occludentes?

Back 12

It serves as a blood-testis barrier that protects the sperm cells from autoimmune reactions
The basal compartment contains the interstitial space and space occupied by spermatogonia

Front 13

Describe the synthesis of Androgen Binding Protein (ABP)

Back 13

ABP is synthesized under the influence of FSH in Sertoli cells
ABP binds testosterone, concentrating it to permit sperm maturation

Front 14

Describe inhibin synthesis and function

Back 14

Inhibin is a hormone synthesized by Sertoli cells
It inhibits synthesis and release of FSH by the anterior pituitary gland

Front 15

What are the different stages of spermatogenesis?

Back 15

Spermatogonium, Primary Spermatocyte, Secondary Spermatocyte, Spermatid, Spermatozoa

Front 16

What is the Syncytium?

Back 16

They are intracellular bridges formed between developing spermatogonia, which are responsible for synchrony of germ cell development

Front 17

What are the 3 type of Spermatogonia and what is their function?

Back 17

Pale Type A - pale nucleus, abundant ribosomes & spherical mitochondria
Undergo mitosis at puberty and form more pale type A cells or type B
Dark Type A - reserve cells that have the potential to produce pale type A cells
Type B - undergo mitosis to form primary spermatocytes

Front 18

How can you identify primary spermatocytes?

Back 18

largest germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium

Front 19

What are the 4 phases of Spermiogenesis?

Back 19

Golgi Phase - proacrosomal granules form a single acrosomal granule. Centrioles migrate away from the nucleus to form the flagellar axoneme, then assist in forming connecting piece associated with tail
Cap Phase - Expansion of acrosomal vesicle over most of the nucleus to form acrosomal cap
Acrosome Phase - nucleus condenses and flattens; mitochondria aggregate and form middle piece. Spermatid is elongated by cylinder of microtubules
Maturation Phase - excess cytoplasm is discarded and phagocytosed by Sertoli cells - complete when spermatozoa are released tail first into lumen

Front 20

What type of epithelium is present in the Rete Testis?

Back 20

Simple cuboidal, many with a single flagellum

Front 21

Describe the epithelium of the Ductuli Efferentes

Back 21

Alternating nonciliated, simple cuboidal and ciliated, columnar.
Cuboidal cells have microvilli that absorb fluid from the semen
A thin circular layer of smooth muscle surrounds the basal lamina

Front 22

Describe the Ductus Epididymis

Back 22

Highly coiled - has a head, body, and tail
Lumen is pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Epithelium made of basal cells (undifferentiated) and Principal cells (have stereocilia and secrete glycerophosphocholine - inhibits capacitation, sperm can fertilize ovum)
There are layers of smooth muscle, increasing in thickness and undergo peristalsis to move sperm to ductus deferens

Front 23

Describe the Ductus Deferens

Back 23

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia
3 layers of muscle (inner & outer longitudinal, middle circular)
Has a dilated portion (ampulla). Its distal end receives the seminal vesicles, forming the ejaculatory duct that enters the prostate

Front 24

What is the colliculus seminalis?

Back 24

Slit where ejaculatory duct terminates in the prostate

Front 25

Describe the Seminal Vesicles

Back 25

Located on the posterior aspect of the bladder
Lined by Pseudostratified Columnar epithelium
Mucosa is extensively folded
Lamina propria surrounded by inner circular and outer longitudinal layer of smooth muscle

Front 26

What is histologically characteristic of the seminal vesicle epithelium?

Back 26

False lumen - not true false lumen like the gall bladder

Front 27

What are the 3 layers of the prostate gland?

Back 27

3 concentric layers are the central, transitional, and peripheral, which wrap around the urethra
Surrounded by a fibroelastic capsule containing smooth muscle; the capsule splits the gland into lobes

Front 28

What is the epithelium of the Prostate glands?

Back 28

Simple or pseudostratified columnar cells

Front 29

What are prostatic concretions?

Back 29

Glycoprotein sometimes observed in the lumina of glands that may become calcified and more abundant with age

Front 30

What is used as a diagnostic tool for Prostatic Carcinoma?

Back 30

Acid Phosphatase - elevated in afflicted patients