Pair of testes, Series of Genital ducts, Accessory glands, and Penis
Testes
Produces sperm but also contain endocrine cells secreting hormones such as testosterone, which drives male reproductive physiology
Testosterone
Important for spermatogenesis sexual differentiation during embryonic and fetal development, and control gonadotropin secretion in the Pituitary
What are the three layer covering of the testes
Tunica Albuginea, Tunica Vaginalis, and scrotum
Spermatogenesis takes place in the seminiferous epithelium of tubules
Tunica Vaginalis
Serous sac that is carried by the testis during migration from the abdominal cavity. Consists of an outer parietal layer lining the scrotum and an inner visceral layer, covering the tunicaalbuginea on the anterior and lateral sides of the testis
Sperm Formation
cannot occur at the core body temperature of 37°C. about 34°C is maintained in the scrotal sac by various mechanisms
Pampiniform venous plexus
Surrounds the testicular artery. It contains cooler blood from the testis, which draws heat from the arterial blood by a countercurrent heat-exchange system
Spermatogonia
Cells which have round and oval nuclei and are located near the. basement membrane Subdivided into Type A and Type B. Type A have dark nuclei and are stem cells that divide slowly and give rise to type B
2 types of type A cells
Type AP and Type AD
Spermatocyte
Derivatives of spermatogonia B cells that can undergo meiosis. They move toward the lumen and can be divided into Primary (first meotic division) and secondary (second meotic division) spermatocytes
Spermatids
Have small interphase nuclei that range from spherical to thin elongated. Classified as early, intermediate, or late spermatids based on the appearance of nucleus
Spermiogenesis
final phase of sperm production. haploid spermatid undergoes change and becomes a sperm cell (spermatozoon). No cell division occurs during this process. Includes the formation of acrosome, condensation and elongation of the nucleus,
Stages of Spermiogenesis
Golgi Phase, Acrosomal Phase, and Maturation Phase
Spermiation
Release of spermatozoon in the lumen of the seminiferous tubule, They are anatomicallymature but physiologicallyimmature
Intratesticular duct
Consists of straight tubules (or tubuli recti), the rete testis, and the efferent ductules. Carry spermatozoa and liquid from the seminiferous tubules to the duct of the epididymis. loops of seminiferous tubules join the retetestis by the short straight tubules, which are lined initially only by Sertoli cells these empty into the rete testis
Tubuli Recti
Short straight tubules lined by simple cuboidal epithelium. They carry newly produced spermatozoa in testicular fluid from the seminiferous tubules to the rete testis in the mediastinum of the testis
Rete testis
It is a maze of anastomosing tubules with an irregular lumen lined by simple cuboidal epithelium, this network of interconnecting tubules conducts the spermatozoa and testicular fluid into the ductuli efferentes
Ductuli efferentes
convoluted tubules are alternatively lined by two cell types non-ciliated cuboidal cells and ciliated columnar cells, it absorbs some testicular fluid and move the spermatozoa to the head of the epididymis.
Ductus epididymis
highly convoluted tubule (about 6m long) that has 3 regions: head, body, tail. Lined by pseudostratified columnar epitheuum with long stereocilia that absorb large volumes of testicular fluid from the lumen and secrete variety of substances (glycerophosphocholine) the tail of the epididymis is the region where spermatozoa mature and are stored
ductus deferens
It is a long tube that courses partly within a spermatic cord. Its proximal end connects with the tail of the epididymis. The distal portion becomes enlarged and is known as the ampulla. Continuous its course to form the ejaculatory duct. Lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium and surrounded by a thick muscularis consisting of 3 layers of smooth muscle
ejaculatory ducts
Two ejaculatory ducts are surrounded by the prostate gland straight tubes lined by pseudostratified columnar and simple columnar
epithelium. Opens into the prostatic urethra at the colliculus seminalis. The colliculus seminalis is a median elevation of the verumontanum
Urethra
Long tube lined by various types of epithelium. Common passage shared by the urinary system and reproductive system. Common passage for both sperm and urine. Divided into 3 regions: Prostatic, Spongy (penile), membranous
Membranous Urethra
Short and lined by pseudostratifiedcolumnar epithelium. Intermediate and narrowest part of the urethra. Connects the prostatic urethra to the spongy urethra
Spongy Urethra (penile urethra)
It is the longest and is lined by stratified columnar epithelium passes through the penis.
Prostatic Urethra
Lined by transitional epithelium. Connected to the bladder at its proximal end and passes through the prostate gland. Wider than the other parts of the urethra and has 2 ejaculatory ducts opening into the urethra
Seminal vesicle
each has a single convoluted tubule with a branched and folded mucosa lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Epithelium is supported by a thin connective tissue layer that is surrounded by two layers of smooth muscle produces seminal fluid containing fructose, prostaglandins, flavins phosphorylcholine, vitamin c and proteins
prostate glands
a collection of about 40 small tubuloalveolar glands lined by simple columnar epithelium supported by connective tissue stroma. Secretions contain proteolytic enzymes, acid phosphatase, citric acid, fibrinolysin and lipids
bulbourethral glands
Small pair of glands lined by simple columnar epithelium. They produce pre-ejaculate (pre-seminal) fluid that lubricates the urethra before ejaculation
Penis
External genital organ. Consists of three cylindrical masses of
erectile tissue, plus the penile urethra, surrounded by skin. Two of the erectile masses—the corpora cavernosa—aredorsal; the ventral corpus
spongiosum surrounds the urethra. Has a unique blood supply (Dorsal, arteries, deep arteries, and helicine arteries) and drainage (superficial vein, arteriovenous shunts) that are correlated with its erection