Chapter 22: Male Reproductive System
1. What is the function of the venous pampiniform plexus?
2. What is the name of the connective tissue capsule that surrounds the testis?
3. What is the mediastinum testis? In what way is it similar to a hilum of other encapusulated organs?
4. What comprises each lobule of the testis?
5. What type of cell is found in the connective tissue stroma surrounding the seminiferous tubule?
6. Into what structures does each seminiferous tubule drain?
7. What two basic cell types comprise the complex stratified epithelium of the seminiferous tubules?
8. Which of these cell types has complex apical and lateral processes and extend through the full thickness of the seminiferous epithelium not visible with H&E?
9. Which cell type rests on the basal lamina of the seminiferous tubule?
10. What type of cell is found in the tunica propria? What cell type is missing from this collagen-rich layer?
11. What features of the cytoplasm are distinctive of Leydig cells?
12. What do Leydig cells secrete?
13. Define spermatogenesis.
14. Define spermiogenesis.
15. How are Type A and Type B spermatogonia distinguished by nuclear morphology in the light microscope?
16. What is unusual about cytoplasmic divisions of the Ap spermatogonia with each subsequent mitosis?
17. What do Type Ap become?
18. From which cells are primary spermatocytes derived?
19. What forms from the division of secondary spermatocytes and what is the ploidy state of these cells?
20. At what stage (cell type) of spermatogenesis does crossing over of the tetrads generate genetic by exchange of chromosomal regions?
21. What is the relationship of spermatids to the Sertoli cell?
22. What nuclear changes accompany the maturation of an early spermatid to a spermatozoon?
23. How are Sertoli cells involved in the separation of spermatids from each other in the final phase of spermation?
24. What propels the sperm through the seminiferous tubules?
25. List, in order, the vessels through which spermatids pass as they leave the seminiferous tubules and arrive in the epididymis.
26. What propels sperm up to their storage site in the distal portion of the epididymis?
27. Approximately how many days are required for the formation of a human sperm from spermatogonia?
28. How are Sertoli cells identified histologically (consider only properties of the nucleus)?
29. What cells are responsible for the formation of basal and luminal compartments of the seminiferous epithelium?
30. Which cells types are found in basal compartment?
31. How are Sertoli cells responsible for the movement of spermatocytes from the basal compartment to the luminal compartment?
32. What is meant by the “blood-testis barrier?” What would happen if this barrier were non-functional?
33. What substance, secreted by Sertoli cells, maintains a high concentration of testosterone in the tubule which facilitates spermatogenesis? .
34. What type of epithelium lines the rete testis?
35. What structure connects the rete testis to the epididymis?
36. What type of epithelium lines the efferent ductules? How is it rather unique?
37. How is sperm propelled in the efferent ductules?
38. Classify the epithelium of the epididymis. How is it rather unique?
39. What three cell types can be recognized in the epithelium of the epididymis?
40. What happens to sperm cells that degenerate in the epididymis?
41. How can the ductus deferens (vas deferens) be identified histologically? How is distinct from the epididymis?
42. What is secreted by the seminal vesicles?
43. What types of epithelia may be found in the prostate gland?
44. What concentrically lamellated bodies are typical of prostatic tissue in older men?
45. Elevated blood levels of what substances can be indicative of prostate disease?
46. Why is prostatic cancer often not detected until it is fairly advanced? (Consult Folder 22.4)