Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Male Reproductive System
self explanatory
57
Histology
Professional
04/05/2011

Additional Histology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
tunica albuginea
Definition
collagenous capsule that surrounds the testis
Term
connective tissue septae
Definition
incompletely divide the testis into ~250 lobules that in turn contain seminiferous tubules
Term
mediastinum testis
Definition
hilus of testis, access point of vessels/nerves/lymphatics/efferent duct
Term
seminiferous tubules
Definition
highly coiled, blind-end tubules lined by spermatogenic epithelium; outer wall contains smooth muscle and is fibrous (tunica propria)
Term
spermatogenic epithelium
Definition
made up of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and Sertoli cells; considered "stratified glandular epithelium"
Term
spermatogonia type A
Definition
renewable stem cells found in the seminiferous epithelium
Term
spermatogonia type B
Definition
proliferative cells, very mitotically active, differentiate to become primary spermatocytes
Term
seminiferous epithelium
Definition
"stratified" epithelium that functions in sperm production
Term
cytoplasmic bridges
Definition
connections between clusters of type B spermatogonia that persist through maturation of spermatids into spermatozoa, help to synchronize differentiation
Term
spermatocytogenesis
Definition
~70 day process in which spermatogonia proceed through differentiation into secondary spermatocytes
Term
primary spermatocytes
Definition
stage after spermatogonia, plentiful, found close to precursor cells, long prophase lasting ~20 days, highly susceptible to insult/injury, undergo 1st meiotic division to produce next cell type
Term
secondary spermatocytes
Definition
diploid, sparse due to brief time in this stage, undergo 2nd meiotic division to yield next stage
Term
spermatids
Definition
haploid cells, differentiate to form spermatozoa, have close physical association with Sertoli cells, still connected to one another
Term
spermiogenesis
Definition
process of the spermatids undergoing dramatic structural changes to form spermatozoa, has 3 distinct phases
Term
Golgi phase of spermiogenesis
Definition
polarization of organelles (Golgi to one end and centrioles to other), hydrolytic enzymes (hyaluronidase, trypsin-like protease, etc.) accumulate in acrosomal vesicle, centrioles migrate opposite acrosomal vesicle
Term
acrosomal phase of spermiogenesis
Definition
acrosomal cap develops, grows opposite of flagellum, cap flattens/spreads/associates w/ the nucleus, cell rotates so centrioles face the lumen, head remains embedded in Sertoli cell, axoneme outgrowth begins
Term
maturation phase of spermiogenesis
Definition
apparatus for motility develops, gains capacity to fertilize ovum, residual body is shed, sperm released into lumen, morphologic development incomplete and sperm are not motile
Term
Sertoli cell
Definition
tall columnar epithelial cell found in the seminiferous tubule, non-mitotic after puberty, terminalljy differentiated, has large euchromatic nucleus that is commonly indented, has abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, stretches from basement membrane to lumen of tubule, supports spermatid production and spermiogenesis, "conditions" the microenvironment for sperm to develop
Term
spermatogenic-asynchronous cycle of the seminiferous epithelium
Definition
adjacent areas of tubule are in different stages of sperm development, gap junctions in Sertoli cells contribute to this, allows for continual production of mature cells
Term
blood-testis barrier
Definition
Sertoli tight cell junctions positioned on the luminal side of the spermatogonia prevent immunoglobulins from entering lumen, allows for compartmentalization of seminiferous epithelium
Term
testicular capillaries
Definition
fenestrated, have limited-to-no barrier function, counterbalanced by Sertoli tight junctions in protecting developing sperm
Term
one cause of male infertility
Definition
barrier may not be sufficient, and since primary spermatocytes acquire new cell surface features, cells of the luminal compartment may be recognized as non-self and destroyed
Term
FSH and testosterone
Definition
stimulate Sertoli cell function, one is carried by androgen-binding protein
Term
tubular fluid
Definition
contains nutrients and metabolites for developing spermatocytes, produced by Sertoli cells
Term
androgen-binding protein
Definition
made by Sertoli cells, carrier of testosterone and allows it to be concentrated in the seminiferous tubule lumen
Term
inhibin
Definition
peptide hormone produced by Sertoli cells that provides negative feedback on FSH release by the pituitary
Term
activin
Definition
produced by the Sertoli cells, allows positive feedback on FSH release
Term
phagocytosis
Definition
performed by Sertoli cells, degrades damaged cells and recycles spermatid residual bodies
Term
interstitial cells of Leydig
Definition
clusters of eosinophilic cells in peritubular interstitium, produce testosterone in response to LH, are structured like steroid secretory cells, have crystalline inclusions, abundant smooth ER, mitochondria with tubular cristae, no secretory granules; transient activity allows for male gonad development in fetal period, and they are reactivated during puberty to help develop secondary sex characteristics
Term
straight tubule
Definition
short segment immediately following seminiferous tubules, contains numerous Sertoli cells, makes contribution to tubular fluid, cells range from simple cuboidal to columnar
Term
rete testis
Definition
could be considered "hilum" of testis, immediately after tubuli recti, elaborate network of channels near mediastinum of testis, also contributes to tubular fluid, very irregular epithelium (squamous, cuboidal, columnar cells), has thick fibromuscular stroma
Term
efferent ductule
Definition
segment that leaves the testis (good riddance!), has irregular epithelium (ciliated pseudostratified), only site of ciliated cells in the male tract, short cells are absorptive, leads to epididymis
Term
ductus epididymis
Definition
duct of organ, has pseudostratified columnar epithelium, has stereocilia, cells are very tall, has highly coiled and innervated tubules; functions to absorb 90% of tubular fluid, secrete factors promoting sperm maturation and capacitation, and phagocytose cytoplasmic debris from spermatozoa; has a prominent muscularis that plays a role in ejaculation
Term
principal cells
Definition
very active cells present in the ductus epididymis, secrete factors that promote spermatozoa maturation/capacitation
Term
basal cells
Definition
actively dividing cells found in the ductus epididymis that differentiate into the secretory cell type
Term
head of epididymis
Definition
contains inner circular layer of muscularis
Term
tail of epididymis
Definition
has 2 muscularis layers: an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer
Term
ductus/vas deferens
Definition
immediately follows the epididymis, run with spermatic cords, cross body wall, contain pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia, have very thick muscularis and abundant sympathetic innervation
Term
inner muscularis of vas deferens
Definition
longitudinal
Term
middle muscularis of vas deferens
Definition
circular
Term
outer muscularis of vas deferens
Definition
longitudinal
Term
ejaculatory duct
Definition
located at the junction of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle, pair enters prostate at colliculus seminalis
Term
membranous urethra
Definition
traverses muscular urogenital diaphragm, epithelium ranges from pseudostratified to stratified columnar but is generally irregular
Term
penile urethra
Definition
runs with corpus spongiosum, ranges from pseudostratified to stratified columnar epithelium, becomes stratified squamous near distal tip, contains urethral glands (clusters of mucous cells in mucosa)
Term
seminal vesicles
Definition
paired, blind-ending pouches near junction of ductus deferens and prostate, very looped and cells are very short, contains pseudostratified columnar epithelium, height and activity of cells is testosterone-dependent, mucosal arches are unique, has abundant smooth muscle, produces viscous mucoid secretion (60% of ejaculate volume, rich in fructose, prostaglandins, amino acids, and ascorbic acid)
Term
prostate
Definition
surrounds urethra at base of bladder, compound tubulo-alveolar gland, has numerous branching ducts opening into urethra, has very thick fibromuscular stroma
Term
glandular epithelium of prostate
Definition
irregular, ranges from pseudostratified to simple columnar
Term
corpora amylacea
Definition
eosinophilic, glycoprotein-rich concretions in the lumen of glands, found only in urethra, look like biconcave sponges in the middle of the lumen
Term
prostate secretory product
Definition
watery, slightly acidic fluid, has factors that inactivate macrophages and fibrinolysin (inhibits clot formation in ejaculate)
Term
3 glandular zones of the prostate
Definition
periurethral mucosal glands, periurethral submucosal glands, and peripheral glands
Term
periurethral mucosal and submucosal glands
Definition
surround the urethra and are typically responsible for benign prostatic hyperplasia
Term
peripheral glands
Definition
in prostate proper, commonly involved in prostate cancer
Term
bulbourethral glands
Definition
paired glands at junction of membranous and penile urethra, produce clear/viscous pre-ejaculatory fluid
Term
bulbourethral glands discharge (ejaculation)
Definition
lubricates penile urethra, first step in ejaculation
Term
prostate releases contents (ejac)
Definition
contraction within fibromuscular stroma occurs, products condition vaginal environment for spermatozoa survival, step 2 in ejac
Term
ductus deferens participation (ejac)
Definition
stimulated to secrete product by sympathetic nervous system input, 3rd step of ejac
Term
seminal vesicle discharge (ejac)
Definition
fluid clears urethra, "happy ending" to process
Supporting users have an ad free experience!