Accessory Sex Glands Quiz

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.