Male Reproductive System Student Version

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Male 1.
2.
Testis - Organization
Testis - Seminiferous Tubules
3. Testis - Sertoli Cells
Reproductive 4. Testis - Leydig Cells
5. Epididymis and Vas Deferens
System 6.
7.
Seminal Vesicles and Prostate Gland
Penis
8. Male Reproductive System - Practice
REVIEW OUTLINE
1. Testis
Seminiferous Tubules
Male Reproductive
●
● Sertoli Cells
Spermatogenic Cells
System
●
● Leydig Cells
2. Testis Duct System

● Straight Tubule
● Rete Testis
● Efferent Ductule
● Epididymis
● Vas Deferens
3. Accessory Glands
● Seminal Vesicle
● Prostate Gland
4. Penis
● Corpus Spongiosum
● Corpora Cavernosum
Histology Slides Licensed From © Histology Guide

Male Reproductive System Bootcamp.com
Male Reproductive Organs
Glands
Semen Fluids
Vas Deferens
Duct System
(Sperm Maturation)
Epididymis
Penis Testis Sperm Production

Efferent Ductules
Vas Deferens
Testis
Head of
Epididymis
Rete
Testis
Body of
Epididymis
Seminiferous
Tubules
Testis
Seminiferous Tubule
Sertoli Cells
Septum between
Lobules
Spermatogenic Cells
Leydig Cells
(interstitial)
Tunica Albuginea
Maturation of spermatocytes
(developing sperm cells) and production
of steroid hormones (testosterone)
takes place within the testis.
Spermatogenesis
Mitosis
Spermatogonia
Primary
Meiosis I
Spermatocytes
Secondary
Meiosis II
Early
Spermatids
Late
Spermiogenesis
Residual Bodies
Spermatozoa
Spermatogenesis occurs within the

seminiferous tubules where the
Seminiferous
blood-testis barrier isolates the Tubules
genetically different germ cells from
the immune system.
Primary Spermatocyte
Spermatozoa
Late Spermatid Spermatogonia
Early Spermatid
Sertoli Cells
Sertoli cells form the

Blood-Testis Barrier
Sertoli cells constitute the true epithelium of the seminiferous tubule.

Their cell–to-cell junctional complexes (blood-testis barrier) divide the
Sertoli Cells
tubule into basal and luminal compartments. They have many
supportive functions and secrete Androgen Binding Protein (ABP).
Leydig Cells
Myoid Cells
(Contractile CT)
Leydig cells secrete testosterone

(androgen), required during male
embryonic development, sexual
maturation, and reproductive function.
Straight Tubule Efferent Ductule Epididymis
Rete Testis ABP-Androgen

Complex
Duct System
Straight Tubules: Simple columnar Sertoli cells (conduit)
Rete Testis: Simple cuboidal epithelium (conduit)
Efferent Ductules: Pseudostratified epithelium.
Most of the fluid secreted in the seminiferous tubules is reabsorbed (stereocilia),
and sperm are transported (cilia) into a single duct, the duct of the epididymis
Epididymis Head
Newly produced sperm enter the epididymis from the
testis and mature during their passage through the duct
of the epididymis: acquire motility and the ability to
fertilize an oocyte (androgen dependent maturation)
Pseudostratified Epithelium
Body
Stereocilia
Sperm
Principal Cell
Tail
Basal Cell Muscle coat of the duct gradually increases in

thickness to become three-layered in the tail.
Smooth Muscle
Spermatic Cord Vas Deferens

Three thick smooth muscle layers (inner
longitudinal, middle circular, outer
longitudinal) facilitate sperm ejaculation
Vas Deferens
The vas deferens (ductus

deferens) is a direct continuation
of the tail of the epididymis
Pseudostratified Epithelium with Stereocilia
Accessory Glands
Vas Deferens
Seminal Vesicle
Ejaculatory Duct
Prostate
Prostatic Urethra
Bulbourethral Gland
Spongy Urethra
Fluids are added to the spermatozoa by

accessory glands generating semen
The paired seminal vesicles Seminal Vesicle

Prostate secrete a fluid rich in fructose
and prostaglandins.
Seminal Vesicle
Prostatic Urethra Mucosal Folds
Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Prostate Gland
Many small tubuloalveolar glands in three
Fibromuscular Stroma
concentric layers. Secrete an alkaline fluid
containing prostate-specific antigen (PSA),
prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP)
Prostatic
Concretions
Simple Columnar Epithelium with “Patches”

Prostate Gland Zones

Glands arranged into three functionally important zones:
Central: surrounds ejaculatory ducts

Transitional: surrounds prostatic urethra (difficulty urinating
if enlarged, such as in BPH)
Peripheral: surrounds central zone, occupies posterior and
lateral parts, palpable during digital examinations of rectum
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) & Prostate Cancer

Structure Features Functions
Pseudostratified columnar Absorption of fluid from tubule,

Efferent Ductules
epithelium with ciliated cells conduit of spermatozoa
Pseudostratified columnar Absorption of fluid, storage of sperm,

Epididymis epithelium with stereocilia sperm acquire motility and fertilizing
(similar to vas deferens) capacity
Pseudostratified columnar
Contraction of smooth muscle propels
Vas Deferens epithelium with stereocilia,
sperm during ejaculation
three smooth muscle layers
Pseudostratified columnar
epithelium, folded mucosa Viscous secretion contains fructose,
Seminal Vesicle
(similar to prostate gland & amino acids and prostaglandins
oviducts)
Patchy simple columnar

Alkaline secretion contains PSA, PAP,
Prostate Gland epithelium, folded mucosa,
fibrinolysin, citric acid
prostatic concretions
Bulbourethral Secretion provides lubricant upon

Tubuloalveolar glands
glands sexual arousal
Erectile Tissue: Irregularly shaped vascular spaces Penis

lined with endothelium, surrounded by trabeculae
(walls of CT and smooth muscle).
Corpora Cavernosa
Central (Deep) Artery
Corpus Spongiosum
Urethra Tunica Albuginea
Erectile Tissue
Erection of corpora begins when nerves stimulate
dilation of arteries (Ach) and relaxation of trabecular
smooth muscle (NO). Venules are compressed against
tunica albuginea and blood accumulates in tissue.
Knowledge Check
Identify the specialized structures marked by the brackets. Be specific
Knowledge Check
A 23-year old male is being
evaluated for a possible infection
that has progressed to the
seminiferous tubules of the testis. A
primary concern with such a
condition is the possibility for a
compromised blood-testis barrier
with subsequent immune reactions
against spermatogenic cells. Which
of the cells labelled in the image
(see attachment) would be most
likely targeted during such an
immune reaction?
Knowledge Check
In a histology lab you are provided with a photomicrograph of a section of the
testis showing a seminiferous tubule with various cells. Which of the cells in the
seminiferous tubules is found exclusively in the lumen?
A. Sertoli cells
B. Primary spermatocytes
C. Secondary spermatocytes
D. Spermatozoa
E. Spermatids
References
Slide 2, 12 Male Organs
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Penis_lateral_cross_section.jpg">CFCF</a>, <a
href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
Slide 3 Testis
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Figure_28_01_03.JPG">OpenStax College</a>, <a
href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0">CC BY 3.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
Slide 9-11 Testis and Epididymis
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:T%C3%BAbulo_seminifero.png">Gilbert Scott F.</a>, <a
Slide 17-18 Penis
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Figure_28_01_06.jpg">OpenStax College</a>, <a
REVIEW OUTLINE
1. Testis
Seminiferous Tubules
Male Reproductive
●
● Sertoli Cells
Spermatogenic Cells
System
●
● Leydig Cells
2. Testis Duct System

● Straight Tubule
● Rete Testis
● Efferent Ductule
● Epididymis
● Vas Deferens
3. Accessory Glands
● Seminal Vesicle
● Prostate Gland
4. Penis
● Corpus Spongiosum
● Corpora Cavernosum
Histology Slides Licensed From © Histology Guide

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

2. Testis Duct System

Histology Slides Licensed From © Histology Guide

Male Reproductive Organs

Penis Testis Sperm Production

Spermatogenesis occurs within the

Late Spermatid Spermatogonia

Sertoli cells form the

Sertoli cells constitute the true epithelium of the seminiferous tubule.

Leydig cells secrete testosterone

Straight Tubule Efferent Ductule Epididymis

Rete Testis ABP-Androgen

Basal Cell Muscle coat of the duct gradually increases in

Spermatic Cord Vas Deferens

The vas deferens (ductus

Fluids are added to the spermatozoa by

The paired seminal vesicles Seminal Vesicle

Prostatic Urethra Mucosal Folds

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Simple Columnar Epithelium with “Patches”

Prostate Gland Zones

Central: surrounds ejaculatory ducts

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) & Prostate Cancer

Structure Features Functions

Pseudostratified columnar Absorption of fluid from tubule,

Pseudostratified columnar Absorption of fluid, storage of sperm,

Patchy simple columnar

Bulbourethral Secretion provides lubricant upon

Erectile Tissue: Irregularly shaped vascular spaces Penis

2. Testis Duct System

Histology Slides Licensed From © Histology Guide

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