44 Questions
What is the function of the layer of smooth muscle in the seminal vesicle?
To contract during ejaculation
Which type of epithelium is found in the seminal vesicle?
Pseudostratified - cylindrical epithelium
What is the main function of the prostate?
To secrete fluids that make up semen
What is the structure that surrounds the prostate gland?
A fibroelastic capsule
What type of glands make up the prostate?
Apocrine tubuloalveolar glands
What are the small starchy spherical bodies observed in the prostate of elderly individuals?
Corpora amylacea
How do the peripheral glands of the prostate open into the urethra?
Through long ducts
What is the main difference between the peripheral glands and the submucosa glands of the prostate?
Method of opening into the urethra
What is the primary function of the efferent ductules in the excurrent duct system?
To reabsorb most of the testicular fluid
What is the main difference between the epithelium of the rete testis and the efferent ductules?
Simple cubic vs. pseudostratified
Where do spermatozoa acquire motility during their maturation?
Epididymis
What is the function of the ductus deferens?
To displace sperm to the urethra during ejaculation
What is the structure formed by the fusion of efferent ducts?
Epididymis
What is the characteristic of the epithelium in the ductus deferens?
Cylindrical and pseudostratified
What is the characteristic of the lumens in the seminal vesicle?
Narrow and tortuous
What surrounds the epididymis?
Thickening muscle
What type of epithelium is present in the bulbourethral or Cowper glands?
Cubic to cylindrical epithelium
What is the main function of the corpus spongiosum in the penis?
It avoids compression of the urethra during erection
What is the characteristic of the tunica albuginea in the penis?
It is a layer of dense, irregular connective tissue
What type of secretion is produced by the preputial sebaceous glands or Tyson's glands?
Fatty secretion
What is the function of the corpora cavernosa in the penis?
They are filled with blood during erection
What type of glands are present in the spongy urethra inside the corpus spongiosum?
Periurethral or Littré's glands
What is the primary function of the ovaries in the female reproductive system?
Development and storage of female germ cells
What is the composition of the ovarian cortex?
A network of CT scans and two main cell types: stromal cells and ovarian follicles
What is the characteristic of the tunica albuginea in the ovaries?
Irregular dense CT with a predominance of collagenous fibers
What is the significance of the tunica albuginea in the ovaries?
It provides a barrier to the outside, isolating the growing follicles and oocytes
What is the stage of development of the primary oocytes in the ovaries until the time of ovulation?
Prophase of Meiosis I
What is the function of the myoepithelial cells in the mammary glands?
To contract and release milk from the lactiferous sinuses
What is the characteristic of the ovarian medulla?
Loose areolar CT with muscle fibers and fibroblasts
What type of epithelium is present in the lactiferous ducts of the non-lactating mammary glands?
Stratified cuboid epithelium
What occurs in the mammary glands during lactation?
The alveoli undergo hypertrophy and mature
What is the function of the areolar or Montgomery glands?
To provide a moisturizing function
What type of secretion do the lactiferous sinuses produce?
Both merocrine and apocrine secretion
What is the function of the dense elastic connective tissue in the nipple?
To provide support and elasticity to the nipple
What is the epithelium type present in the nipple?
Stratified flat epithelium
What is the characteristic of the lactiferous ducts in the lactating mammary glands?
They are highly branched
What is the function of the endocervix in the cervix?
To secrete mucus that facilitates or prevents sperm from entering
What is the characteristic of the epithelium in the ectocervix?
Stratified flat epithelium with no stratum corneum
During the menstrual cycle, what changes occur in the miometrium?
Number of muscle cells and size undergo changes
How thick is the miometrium?
Up to 2 cm
What is the characteristic of the perimetrium in the uterus?
Serous only at the bottom of the uterus
What is the length of the vagina?
8-9 cm
What is the function of progesterone in the cervix?
To prevent sperm entry
What is the area of epithelial transformation in the cervix?
The area where the epithelium changes from simple to stratified
Study Notes
Accessory Sex Glands
- Seminal vesicle:
- Mucosa with abundant folds and pseudostratified, cylindrical epithelium with secretory activity via apocrine mechanisms
- Layer of smooth muscle with inner circular and outer longitudinal layers, and a fibrous layer that contracts during ejaculation
- Secretory function is under hormonal control of testosterone
- Does not store sperm except in pathological conditions
- Prostate:
- Located around the prostatic portion of the urethra
- Comparable in size to a walnut, surrounded by a fibroelastic capsule with septa dividing it into poorly defined lobes
- Cylindrical epithelium is pseudostratified, with transition near the urethra
- Fibromuscular stroma consists of smooth muscle cells and fibrocytes
- Depends on testosterone stimulation for proper function
- Parenchyma consists of apocrine tubuloalveolar prostate glands organized into three concentric layers:
- Peripheral glands: main glands that open to the urethra through long ducts
- Submucosa glands/central: open into the urethra through short ducts
- Mucosa glands/periuretral: open directly into the urethra
- Histological features of the prostate:
- Glands with wide lumen surrounded by a fibromuscular stroma
- Glandular lumens usually contain stored secretions
- In the elderly, small starchy spherical bodies (corpora amylacea) are observed, consisting of condensed and often calcified glycoproteins
- Bulbourethral or Cowper glands:
- Tubuloalveolar glands composed of cubic to cylindrical epithelium with secretory activity dependent on testosterone
- Mucous secretion
Penis
- Consists of two dorsal masses of erectile tissue (corpora cavernosa) and a ventral mass (corpus spongiosum)
- Spongy urethra inside the corpus spongiosum, with small periurethral or Littré's glands (mucous secretion) may be found
- Tunica albuginea: a layer of dense, irregular CT that surrounds each of the three structures
- Septum of the penis: separates the corpora cavernosa and has the same characteristics as the tunica albuginea
- Corpora cavernosa: formed by vascular spaces lined with endothelium, separated by smooth muscle trabeculae and connective tissue
- Glans and foreskin: thin skin without hair follicles, with preputial sebaceous glands or Tyson's glands (fatty secretion) on the inside of the foreskin
Epididymis
- Efferent ductules: cylindrical epithelium with pseudostratified high cylindrical cells (with cilia) and low cylindrical cells (with microvilli), with a thin layer of smooth muscle
- Rete testis: a system of anastomosed tubules formed by a simple cubic epithelium with microvilli
- Epididymis: formed by the fusion of efferent ducts, single tightly coiled tubule (4-6 m) where spermatozoa mature and acquire motility
- Cylindrical epithelium is pseudostratified with long stereocilia
- Areas: head, body, and tail, surrounded by thickening muscle
Excurrent Duct System
- Efferent ductules: reabsorb most of the testicular fluid
- Epididymis: single, tightly coiled tubule (4-6 m) where spermatozoa mature and acquire motility
- Ductus deferens: cylindrical epithelium with pseudostratified stereocilia, with a reduced and folded lumen due to the presence of three layers of muscle: thinner inner longitudinal, thicker middle circular, and thick outer longitudinal layer
Female Reproductive System
- Ovaries have exocrine function for gamete production and endocrine function for sex hormone production (estrogen and progesterone).
- Ovaries are covered by a simple cubic epithelium, with tunica albuginea containing dense CT with collagenous fibers, and are poorly vascularized to isolate growing follicles and oocytes.
- Ovarian cortex is composed of CT scans and two main cell types: stromal cells and ovarian follicles in different stages of development.
- Ovarian medulla is a central region with loose areolar CT, muscle fibers, fibroblasts, and a high degree of vascularization.
Follicular Maturation
- Primary oocytes remain immature until puberty, then undergo maturation.
- Follicular maturation involves the development of primary oocytes to Graafian follicles.
Mammary Glands
- Resting or non-lactating mammary glands have undeveloped alveoli and a stratified cubic epithelium to simple cubic epithelium coating in the sinus and lactiferous ducts.
- Lactating or active mammary glands have branching and mature alveoli with a simple cubic epithelium.
Uterus
- The uterus is composed of three layers: endometrium (mucosa), myometrium (muscle), and perimetrium (adventitia).
- Myometrium is a thick smooth muscle layer (up to 2 cm) with three layers: internal longitudinal, middle circular, and external longitudinal.
- Endometrium undergoes cyclical changes during the menstrual cycle.
Cervix
- The cervix is the terminal end of the uterus, emptying into the vaginal lumen, and consists of two parts: endocervix and ectocervix.
- Endocervix is lined by simple cylindrical epithelium that secretes mucus and has branching secretory glands.
- Ectocervix is covered by stratified flat epithelium with no stratum corneum.
Vagina
- The vagina is a 8-9 cm long fibromuscular tubular structure.
This quiz covers the structure and function of seminal vesicles and prostate glands, including their secretory mechanisms and hormonal control.
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