Male Reproductive System Quiz

Histology of Male Reproductive System

• The male reproductive system consists of testes, genital ducts, accessory glands, and the penis.
• The testes develop in the abdominal pelvic cavity of the fetus and descend into the scrotal sac before or after birth.
• The scrotum is a sac of skin that holds the testicles and helps maintain a cooler temperature than internal body temperature, vital for sperm production.
• The scrotal sac is made of skin, dartos muscle, external spermatic fascia, cremaster muscle, internal spermatic fascia, and parietal layer of tunica vaginalis.
• Each testis is an oval structure surrounded by a fibrous capsule called the tunica albuginea.
• The tunica albuginea thickens posteriorly to form the mediastinum testis, which divides the testis into approximately 250 lobules.
• Each lobule contains one to four highly convoluted seminiferous tubules where sperm production occurs.
• Interstitial cells, or Leydig cells, are found within the connective tissue between the seminiferous tubules. They produce testosterone.
• Seminiferous tubules (approximately 250-1000 per testis) are located in the lobules and are lined with a complex stratified epithelium called germinal or spermatogenic epithelium.
• Large non-dividing Sertoli cells support and nourish developing sperm.
• The basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules is covered with a layer of fibrous connective tissue containing flattened smooth muscle-like myoid cells that allow weak contractions affecting the tubule.
• Spermatogenesis begins at puberty; it involves several stages:
  • Formation of spermatocytes
  • Meiosis
  • Spermiogenesis
• Spermatogonia are stem cells that undergo mitosis to produce primary spermatocytes
• Primary spermatocytes undergo meiosis, producing haploid cells and secondary spermatocytes
• Secondary spermatocytes then undergo a second meiotic division and produce spermatids.
• Spermatids mature to become sperm cells through a process called spermiogenesis
• Each sperm cell has an acrosome, nucleus, mitochondria, and a tail called flagellum
• The pathway of sperm moves from seminiferous tubules, to rete testis, then efferent ductules, and lastly the epididymis.
• The epididymis is a long, coiled tube behind the testis where sperm is stored and matures. The duct of the epididymis has a pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia.

Spermatogenesis

• Spermatogenesis begins at puberty and continues throughout life, producing millions of sperm every day.
• The process takes about 64-70 days.

Spermatogenesis Waves + Sertoli Cells

• Spermatogenesis occurs in waves in different parts of the seminiferous tubules.
• Sertoli cells provide support, protection, and nourishment for spermatogenic cells, and the blood-testis barrier.

Excretory Genital Ducts

• The main ducts include the epididymis, vas deferens, and urethra.
• The epididymis is a long, coiled tube in the scrotum which is divided into a head, body, and tail, where sperm mature. The epididymis has different layers of epithelium and also smooth muscle

Accessory Glands

• Accessory glands include the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands.
• These glands produce fluids to mix with sperm, forming semen.
• These fluids provide nutrients.

Penis

• The penis consists of three cylindrical masses of erectile tissue: two corpora cavernosa and one corpus spongiosum, housing the urethra.
• The corpus spongiosum surrounds the urethra and expands to form the glans.

Test your knowledge on the male reproductive system, focusing on the function of Sertoli and Leydig cells, spermatogenesis, and sperm cell structure and function. This quiz covers key concepts related to sperm development and the roles of associated cells. Perfect for biology students or anyone interested in human anatomy.