105 Questions
What happens to the primary sex cords in females?
They disappear, allowing primordial germ cells to differentiate into oocytes.
What is the role of primary sex cords in males?
They give rise to the seminiferous tubules, the site of sperm development.
What is the gonadal ridge?
A structure that eventually differentiates into testes in males and ovaries in females
Why are primary sex cords considered critical in gonadal development?
They play a role in forming supporting structures and housing germ cells.
What are the primary sex cords?
Tubular structures that interact with primordial germ cells in males
What is the function of mesenchyme cells within the gonadal ridge?
To differentiate into sex cords
How does the development of primary sex cords differ between males and females?
Primary sex cords interact with primordial germ cells in males but not in females
Where do the primitive sex cords form from the indifferent gonad?
cortex and medulla of gonadal ridge
When do the testes cords form in males?
GW 7
Which cell type is responsible for androgen production in the testis?
Leydig cells
What is the main function of Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules?
Maintaining the blood-testis barrier
During which stage of spermatogenesis do spermatids develop?
Secondary spermatocytes
Which structure delivers sperm into the prostatic urethra?
Vas deferens
What is the function of Cowper's glands in the male reproductive system?
Supply the urethra with mucus
Where does sperm get concentrated in the male reproductive system?
Rete Testis
At what gestational week do sex cords still remain indistinguishable in males and females?
GW6
What embryonic structures connect to form the male testes cords?
Mesonephric duct and distal mesonephric tubules
Which cells form the spermatids during spermatogenesis?
10 spermatocytes
What is the function of FSH receptors on Sertoli cells during spermatogenesis?
Secrete androgen binding protein (ABP)
What is the role of the Basal compartment in spermatogenesis?
Produces 4 haploid spermatids
What structure is transformed into the vas deferens under the influence of testosterone?
Wolffian duct
What is the function of LH in the hormonal control of spermatogenesis?
Induces Leydig cells to make testosterone
What is the impact of testosterone levels below 20 ng/ml on spermatogenesis?
Impairs spermatogenesis
Which part of the male genital system is responsible for resorbing excess luminal fluid in the epididymis?
Efferent ductules
What is the primary function of residual bodies in spermatogenesis?
Phagocytose excess spermatid cytoplasm
Which hormone is responsible for shutting off Leydig cell activity at birth?
LH
What stimulates Sertoli cell function in the male reproductive system?
Androgen Receptor (AR)
In spermatogenesis, what differentiates the male internal genitalia like the epididymis and vas deferens?
DHT
What is the main function of the seminal vesicles in the male reproductive system?
Secrete yellow, viscous fluid rich in fructose and prostaglandins
During which phase of development does the hormonal feedback regulation by E2, T, and inhibin occur within the HPA axis?
Puberty
What stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone?
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
What is the primary impact of testosterone on spermatogenesis?
Stimulates Sertoli cell function
What part of the male reproductive system is responsible for transporting sperm to the urethra?
Epididymis
Which cells result from meiosis II in the process of spermatogenesis?
Spermatids
What is the main characteristic of spermatozoa that distinguishes them from other cell types in spermatogenesis?
Capable of fertilizing an egg
During spermiogenesis, what process involves elongation, condensation of genetic material, tail development, and acrosome formation?
Transformation of spermatids into sperm
What is the primary function of the acrosome in sperm development?
Breakdown of egg's membrane during fertilization
Which organelle is responsible for the formation of the flagellum during spermiogenesis?
Centriole
What is the main purpose of spermiogenesis in the context of sperm development?
Creation of spermatozoa from spermatids
Dartos muscle and Superficial fascia derived from which of the following?
Scarpa’s fascia
What is the main function of the tunica albuginea in the testes?
Providing structural support and compartmentalizing testicular tissue
Which part of the male reproductive system collects sperm from the seminiferous tubules?
Rete testis
What is the purpose of the tunica vaginalis in relation to the testes?
Provide insulation to maintain a stable scrotal temperature
What is one of the critical functions of Sertoli cells in spermatogenesis?
Formation of the blood-testis barrier
How do Sertoli cells contribute to the nutritional support of developing germ cells in spermatogenesis?
Providing essential nutrients, growth factors, and hormones
In what way do Sertoli cells help regulate spermatogenic cycling in the testes?
Controlling the transport of germ cells through the stages of spermatogenesis
The epididymis is lined by which kind of epithelium?
pseudostratified
What is the function of stereo cilia within the epididymis and vas deferens?
Reabsorb excess fluid
What is the main function of the middle layer (tunica media) of the vas deferens?
To control the rate of sperm passage
Which component of the connective tissue in the vas deferens is responsible for supporting and providing a pathway for blood vessels, nerve fibers, and lymphatic vessels?
Loose areolar connective tissue
Which layer of the vas deferens contains smooth muscle fibers that facilitate peristaltic contractions to propel sperm through the duct?
Innermost layer (lumen)
What is the primary function of principal cells in the seminal vesicles?
Production of prostaglandins
Which histological characteristic is crucial for the storage of seminal vesicle fluid?
Basement membrane surrounding each acinus
What distinguishes Mitochondria-rich cells (MRCs) from principal cells in the seminal vesicles?
High concentration of glycogen stores
What is the role of the basement membrane in the prostate gland?
It provides structural support and separates epithelial cells from the stroma.
Which condition is characterized by malignant tumors originating in the prostate's epithelial cells?
Prostate cancer
What is the function of glandular ducts in the prostate gland?
Transport seminal fluid from acini to urethra
What role does smooth muscle contraction play in penile erection?
Facilitates blood flow out of the corpora cavernosa
How is vasodilation related to penile erection?
Facilitates increased blood flow to the penis during arousal
What is the primary function of nitric oxide in penile function?
Triggers smooth muscle relaxation for vasodilation and erection
What type of muscle is responsible for maintaining the urethra's tone and facilitating the movement of urine and semen?
Smooth muscle
Which arteries primarily supply blood to the male urethra?
Internal pudendal artery and dorsal penile artery
What type of epithelium lines the male urethra?
Stratified squamous epithelium
Which gland is responsible for the emission of ejaculate during sexual arousal?
Bulbourethral glands
What is the role of smooth muscle in the bulbourethral glands?
Emission of ejaculate
What type of epithelium is found on the germinal epithelium of ovaries?
simple squamous
Where are the blood vessels within and ovary?
medulla
What is the outcome of meiosis II in oogonia?
Production of a mature ovum and another polar body
Which cell type gives rise to oogonia in females and spermatogonia in males?
Gonocytes
What is the primary function of germ cells in sexual reproduction?
Forming haploid gametes
What staining technique is commonly used to identify Call-Exner bodies based on the description in the text?
Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining
How do Call-Exner bodies appear when stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain according to the text?
Pink to red
Why is microscopic examination of thyroid tissue sections essential for identifying Call-Exner bodies?
To distinguish them from Hurthle cells
Which of the following cell types does NOT play a direct role in the Graafian follicle?
Luteal cells
What triggers the release of the mature oocyte from the Graafian follicle during ovulation?
Luteinizing hormone (LH) surge
Where does the embryo typically implant following fertilization?
Endometrium
What is the primary function of thecal cells in relation to the corpus luteum?
Converting androgens into estrogen and progesterone
Which hormone is responsible for triggering ovulation and supporting the formation of the corpus luteum?
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
What role do luteal cells play in the human reproductive system?
Producing progesterone and estrogen
What is the primary role of the Peg cells found in the Fallopian tube?
Phagocytizing bacteria and foreign debris
Which layer of the Fallopian tube contains lymphatic vessels running parallel to blood vessels?
Tunica adventitia
In the female reproductive system, what coordinates with cilia to move gametes during ovulation?
Tunica muscularis
What is the primary function of the ovarian arteries in relation to the uterus?
Supplying the corpus luteum with blood
What is a characteristic feature of Peg cells in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle?
Marker of endometrial dysfunction, inflammation, or malignancy
Where do the uterine arteries originate from?
Internal iliac arteries
What role does estrogen play in the menstrual cycle?
Triggering ovulation
During menstruation, what causes the blood vessels in the Stratum Functionalis to constrict?
Rapid drop in progesterone levels
What transformation does the endometrial tissue undergo after implantation?
Differentiation into Decidua
What happens to the superficial layers of the endometrium during menstruation?
They are shed due to contraction of the myometrium.
How does the stratum basalis contribute to the length variation of the menstrual cycle?
It plays a role in maintaining the endometrium during different phases.
Why is understanding the interplay of stratum basalis with the endometrium, myometrium, and menstrual cycle crucial?
For proper functioning of the female reproductive system.
What is the main reason for the transformation of columnar epithelial cells into squamous epithelial cells in the endocervical canal?
Chronic inflammation
Which type of epithelial cells are more resistant to infection than columnar cells in the endocervical canal?
Squamous cells
In the context of cervical glands, what function do squamous epithelial cells serve?
Serve as a protective barrier against pathogens
What is the primary purpose of a Pap smear?
Detecting abnormalities in the ectocervix under a microscope
Which of the following is a common abnormality detectable through a Pap smear?
Detection of high-risk HPV DNA
In the context of cervical cancer, what is the significance of detecting dysplasia during a Pap smear?
Highlights precancerous changes before they progress to cancer
Which of the following is NOT a potential symptom of Nabothian cysts?
Difficulty urinating
What complication can occur if a large Nabothian cyst obstructs the cervical canal?
Interfering with menstruation
How can an infected Nabothian cyst present?
Intense pain, vaginal discharge, and fever
During the menstrual phase, which of the following statements about the vaginal epithelium is most accurate?
Superficial and basal cells undergo apoptosis.
Which histological feature is characteristic of vaginitis?
Presence of an increased number of lymphocytes and plasma cells
What is a common histological feature of vaginal polyps?
Presence of benign, pedunculated masses protruding into the vagina
Which histological feature is associated with vaginal dysplasia?
Abnormal growth of vaginal cells
What distinguishes inclusion cysts histologically from other common vaginal pathologies?
Rounded masses consisting of epithelial cells and keratin
Study Notes
Deciphering the Delicate Dance of Primitive Sex Cords
In the fascinating process of embryonic development, primitive sex cords play a pivotal role in shaping the reproductive system—one that's essential for the continuation of life on our planet.
Embryonic Development
When a fertilized egg develops into an embryo, it undergoes a series of intricate transformations that lead to the formation of the entire organism. During the third week of embryonic development (in human terms), a structure called the gonadal ridge begins to emerge, which eventually differentiates into testes in males and ovaries in females.
Gonadal Development
The gonadal ridge, comprised of primordial germ cells and supporting cells, is the anlage of the gonads. Initially, the gonadal ridge consists of three layers: an outer layer of mesothelium, a middle layer of mesenchyme, and an inner layer of primordial germ cells.
Primary Sex Cords
At around the fifth week of development, the mesenchyme cells within the gonadal ridge begin to differentiate into sex cords. These delicate tubular structures are known as primary sex cords. The development of primary sex cords is a sexually dimorphic process, meaning that it differs between males and females.
In males, the primary sex cords interact with the primordial germ cells, attracting them to the center of the gonadal ridge and facilitating their differentiation into spermatogonia, the precursors of sperm cells. In females, the primary sex cords disappear, leaving the primordial germ cells free to differentiate into oocytes, the precursors of eggs.
The Impact of Primary Sex Cords
The primary sex cords are not only critical for the establishment of the germline (i.e., spermatogonia and oocytes) but also play an essential role in the formation of the supporting structures of the testes and ovaries. In males, the primary sex cords give rise to the seminiferous tubules, the site of sperm development. In females, the remnants of the primary sex cords contribute to the formation of the ovarian stroma and the follicles, the structures that house the oocytes.
The development of the reproductive system is a complex process, and the formation of the primary sex cords is a fundamental part of this journey. Understanding the mechanisms behind this development can provide valuable insights into the development of reproductive disorders and the establishment of reproductive health.
T Gould Block 3 W6
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