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Questions and Answers
What are the external organs of the male reproductive system?
What are the external organs of the male reproductive system?
penis, scrotum, testicles
What is the function of the testes in the male reproductive system?
What is the function of the testes in the male reproductive system?
Sertoli cells provide structural and metabolic support to spermatogenic cells.
Sertoli cells provide structural and metabolic support to spermatogenic cells.
True
The external connective tissue capsule that surrounds each testis is called __________.
The external connective tissue capsule that surrounds each testis is called __________.
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Match the following parts of a testes with their descriptions:
Match the following parts of a testes with their descriptions:
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What is the outer region of the ovary with highly cellular connective tissue called?
What is the outer region of the ovary with highly cellular connective tissue called?
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What is the stage in which the primordial follicles stop developing?
What is the stage in which the primordial follicles stop developing?
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The primary oocyte is the large round cell that makes up the majority of each primordial follicle, and its diameter is about 25 to 30 micrometers.
The primary oocyte is the large round cell that makes up the majority of each primordial follicle, and its diameter is about 25 to 30 micrometers.
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Granulosa cells form a single layer in unilaminar primary follicles.
Granulosa cells form a single layer in unilaminar primary follicles.
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What is the function of the seminal vesicle in the male reproductive system?
What is the function of the seminal vesicle in the male reproductive system?
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Where are the bulbourethral glands located in the male reproductive system?
Where are the bulbourethral glands located in the male reproductive system?
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Sertoli cells are in close association with _________ in the male reproductive system.
Sertoli cells are in close association with _________ in the male reproductive system.
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Match the male reproductive organ with its function:
Match the male reproductive organ with its function:
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What is another name for fallopian tubes?
What is another name for fallopian tubes?
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What is the closest region to the ovaries in the fallopian tubes?
What is the closest region to the ovaries in the fallopian tubes?
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The uterus is a muscular organ that supports the growth of an embryo during pregnancy.
The uterus is a muscular organ that supports the growth of an embryo during pregnancy.
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The ovary produces steroid hormones like estrogen and progesterone, as well as the female gametes called ___________.
The ovary produces steroid hormones like estrogen and progesterone, as well as the female gametes called ___________.
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Study Notes
Male Reproductive System
- Located mostly outside the body, with some parts inside the abdomen
- Responsible for sexual function and urination
- Produces, maintains, and transports sperm and semen (protective fluid)
Testes
- Primary sex glands, located in the scrotum
- Produce male gametes (spermatozoa) and male sex hormone (testosterone)
- Each testis is about 5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, and weighs 10-15 grams
- Has a dense connective tissue capsule called tunica albuginea
- Divided into about 250 pyramidal compartments or testicular lobules by septa
Seminiferous Tubules
- Highly coiled, tightly packed tubules in the testes
- Sites of spermatogenesis (sperm production)
- Lined with specialized stratified germinal epithelium (seminiferous epithelium)
- Epithelium consists of two distinct populations: spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells
Sertoli Cells
- Tall columnar cells that extend from the basement membrane to the lumen of the seminiferous tubules
- Provide structural and metabolic support to spermatogenic cells
- Have distinct oval nuclei with well-developed nucleoli
- Joined together by tight junctions, forming the blood-testis barrier
- Secrete components of testicular fluid, androgen-binding protein (ABP), and inhibin
Spermatogenesis
- Process by which spermatogonia develop into mature spermatozoa
- Takes place in the seminiferous tubules
Spermatozoa
- Elongated motile male gametes found in close association with Sertoli cells
- Each spermatozoon is about 60 μm in length, consisting of a head, neck, and tail
- The head contains a dark elongated nucleus with a haploid number of chromosomes
- The neck contains the centriole from which the flagellum arises
- The tail consists of a middle piece, principal piece, and end piece
Epididymis
- A comma-shaped structure on the posterolateral aspect of the testis
- A 6-meter long, highly coiled tube, supported by vascular connective tissue
- Divided into a head, body, and tail
- Lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium, which bears long microvilli (stereocilia)
- Functions: storage of spermatozoa, maturation of spermatozoa, and absorption of testicular fluid
Genital Ducts
- Conduct sperm to the urethra
- Consist of epididymis, ductus deferens, and ejaculatory duct
- Ductus deferens is a muscular tube that stores spermatozoa and conveys them to the urethra during ejaculation### Male Reproductive System
- Accessory sex glands include seminal vesicle, prostate, and bulbourethral glands, which secrete fluids that make up seminal fluid
- Seminal fluid provides a medium for transport and nourishment of sperm
- Bulbourethral glands secrete a clear mucus-like substance that coats and lubricates the urethra in preparation for sperm passage
Female Reproductive System
Internal Female Reproductive Organs
- Consist of ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina
- Fallopian tubes, also known as uterine tubes or oviducts, transfer mature ovum from ovaries to uterus
- Each fallopian tube is about 10-12 cm in length and divided into four major regions:
- Infundibulum (closest to ovaries) with finger-like projection called fimbriae
- Ampulla (longest region) where fertilization of ovum most likely occurs
- Isthmus
- Intramural part (travels through uterine wall to transport ovum)
Uterus
- Hollow, pear-shaped, muscular organ that nourishes and supports embryonic growth during pregnancy
- Divided into three main parts:
- Fundus (curved top/superior part)
- Body (largest middle section)
- Cervix (bottom/cylindrical part)
Fallopian Tube Layers
- Mucosa (inner layer):
- Lined with simple columnar epithelium
- Two types of cells: ciliated cells with visible cilia to help ovum movement, and secretory peg cells with apical bulge
- Muscularis:
- Two layers of smooth muscle: inner circular/spiral layer, and outer longitudinal layer
- Serosa (outer layer):
- Composed of single layer of basophilic/simple cuboidal cells and thin layer of supporting connective tissue
Endometrium
- Inner mucosal layer of uterus
- Divided into two zones:
- Functional layer (upper surface portion, sheds during menstruation)
- Basal layer (underlying portion, remains attached during menstruation and regenerates functional layer)
- Endometrial stroma (supportive tissue):
- Contains extensive microvasculature, stellate cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes
Ovaries
- Almond-shaped structures producing steroid hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and female gametes (oocytes)
- Each ovary is about 3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, and 1 cm thick with a thin outer capsule
- Cortex (outer region):
- Where oocytes and ovarian follicles develop
- Highly cellular connective tissue
- Medulla (inner region):
- Loose fibroelastic connective tissue with large tortuous blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerve fibers
Ovarian Follicles
- Fluid-filled structures containing oocytes
- Primordial follicles develop during fetal life and remain arrested until needed for ovulation
- Primary oocyte:
- Large round cell making up majority of primordial follicle
- Diameter: 25-30 micrometers
- Follicular cells:
- Flattened cells surrounding primordial follicle
- Zona pellucida:
- Thin pink/eosinophilic layer of glycoproteins between primary oocyte and follicular cells
Menstrual Cycle
- 3 phases:
- Proliferative phase: functional layer regenerates after menstruation
- Secretory phase: uterine glands accumulate and secrete glycogen
- Menstrual phase: functional layer sheds, leading to menstrual bleeding
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Description
This quiz covers the male reproductive system, including its external and internal organs, and the parts of the testes.