Term
| How many seminiferous tubules are located in a lobule? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the mediastinum testis? |
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Definition
It's the thickened posterior portion of the tunica albuginea.
It divides the testis into incomplete compartments |
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Term
| What is the tunica vasculosa? |
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Definition
Inner layer of the tunica albuginea
Loose connective tissue with abbundant blood vessels |
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Term
| What is the tunica vaginalis? |
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Definition
| Serous sac embryologically derived from peritoneum |
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Term
| What are the seminiferous tubules? Types of cells? |
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Definition
| Composed of two distinct cell types surrounded bya basement membrane. Those are the somatic Sertoli cells and germinal spermatogenic cells. |
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Term
| What are three cell types that make up spermatogenic cells? |
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Definition
| Spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids |
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Term
| What type of cells move non-motile sperm from the lumen of the seminiferous tubules to the rete testis? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are Leydig cells? Where are they? |
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Definition
In the seminiferous tubules. They are the steroid producing cells and as such contain lipid droplets.
Leydig cells respond to LH by producing testosterone |
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Term
| What is an Androgen Binding Protein? |
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Definition
| It maintains testosterone in proximity to the seminiferous tubules |
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Term
| What cell type is predominant in the seminiferous tubule before puberty? |
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Definition
| The sertoli cells. After puberty, they only represent about 10% of the total. |
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Term
| What is the blood testis border and how is it formed? |
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Definition
It spares spermatogenic cells from auto immunologic destruction, and it compartmentalizes the seminiferous epithelium
Near the basal aspect of adjacent sertoli cells, occluding junctions exist which separate the tubule into basal and adluminal compartments. |
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Term
| What is the function of sertoli cells? |
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Definition
They support, protect, and nourish the developing spermatogenic cells. They synthesize androgen binding protein in response to stimulation by FSH.
Inhibin and activin are also synthesized by sertoli cells.
Fetal and neonatal sertoli cells secrete mullerian inhibiting substance |
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Term
| What is the order in sperm synthesis? |
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Definition
| Spermatagonia differentiate into primary spermatocytes, which yield two secondary spermatocytes following the first meiotic division. The second meiotic division results in the formation of two wpermatids from each secondary spermatocyte |
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Term
| Which cell type is the most prevalent in the seminiferous epithelium? |
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Definition
| Primary spermatocytes b/c the rate of division is much slower from primary to secondary. |
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Term
| What is spermiogenesis and what happens? |
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Definition
It is the process by which spermatids become sperm.
1. Development of a flagellum
2. Development of an acrosome
3. Nuclear condensation |
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Term
| What are the intra-testicular ducts? |
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Definition
| The tubuli recti and rete testis |
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Term
| What is the tubuli recti? |
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Definition
| The termination of the seminiferous tubule |
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Term
| What is the epididymus? What are some features? |
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Definition
Spermatazoa mature within the confines of the epididymis. Stereocilia are present here in the epithelium
The epithelium also contains intraepithelial lymphocytes |
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Term
| What are the three male accessory sex glands? |
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Definition
1. paired seminal vesicles
2. Prostate gland - largest of the three
3. Bulbourethral gland |
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Term
| What are the three sections of the prostate gland? |
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Definition
1. Central zone - periurethral glands
2. Transition zone - submucosal glands
3. Peripheral zone - main glands |
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Term
| What does the prostate secrete? |
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Definition
Prostate specific acid phosphatase, prostate specific antigen, amylase and fibrinolysin
Thin, white fluid containing prostatic acid phosphatasse and other proteolytic enzymesW |
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Term
| What are sinusoids and where are they found? |
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Definition
| They are vascular spaces found in the penis. They are made up of an artery an drained by numerous venous channels. During erection, the sinusoids fill with blood and block the venous channels in order to maintain erection |
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Term
| What are bulbourethral glands? Other name? |
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Definition
| Also known as Cowper's glands. Secretion serves as lubrication during sex. |
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