LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Describe the histological structure and organization of the testis
- Outline the process of spermatogenesis occurring in the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubule
- Explain the cellular components and functional significance of the blood-testis barrier.
- Describe the histological structure and function of the intratesticular and extratesticular duct system
- Identify and describe the histological appearance of the accessory sex glands: prostate and seminal vesicles
- Identify the histological features of the penis
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- Testis & Intratesticular Ducts
- Seminiferous Tubules & Interstitium
- Extratesticular Ducts (Efferent Ductules & Epididymis)
- Ductus Deferens
- Prostate
- Seminal Vesicles
- Penis
TESTIS & INTRATESTICULAR DUCTS (TUBULI RECTI, RETE TESTIS)
KEY TERMS:
| Pampiniform Plexus | Seminiferous Tubule |
| Testicular Artery | Tubuli Recti (Straight Tubule) - Sertoli cells |
| Mediastinum Testis | Rete Testis - Simple Cuboidal Epithelium |
| Tunica Albuginea - Dense Irregular Connective Tissue | Tunica Vaginalis (Visceral Layer) - Simple Cuboidal Epithelium |
| Testicular Lobule | Tunica Vaginalis (Parietal Layer) - Simple Cuboidal Epithelium |
SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES & INTERSTITIUM
KEY TERMS:
| Spermatogonia | Late Spermatid | Blood-Testis Barrier |
| Sertoli Cells | Residual Body | |
| Primary Spermatocyte (Meiosis I) | Leydig Cells | |
| Secondary Spermatocyte (Meiosis II) | Basal Compartment | |
| Early Spermatid | Luminal Compartment |
EXTRATESTICULAR DUCTS (EFFERENT DUCTULES, EPIDIDYMIS)
KEY TERMS:
| Efferent Ductules | Tall and Low Columnar Cells (Scalloped Appearance) | Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with Stereocilia |
| Epididymis |
DUCTUS DEFERENS
KEY TERMS:
| Outer Longitudinal Layer | Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium with Stereocilia |
| Middle Circular Layer | Lamina Propria |
| Inner Longitudinal Layer |
PROSTATE GLAND
KEY TERMS:
| Fibromuscular Stroma | Prostatic Concretions | Prostatic Acid Phosphatase |
| Prostatic Urethra (Transitional Epithelium) | Compound Tubuloalveolar Glands (Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium) | Prostate Specific Antigen |
| Seminal Colliculus | Periurethral Zone | Fibrinolysin |
| Prostatic Utricle | Central Zone | Citric Acid |
| Ejaculatory Ducts | Peripheral Zone |
SEMINAL VESICLES
KEY TERMS:
| Pseudostratified Columnar epithelium | Fructose |
| Mucosal Folds | Apical Protrusions (Blebs) |
PENIS
KEY TERMS:
| Corpus Cavernosum | Paraurethral Glands of Littré | |
| Corpus Spongiosum | Helicine Artery | |
| Penile Urethra (Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium) | Venous Sinuses | |
| Tunica Albuginea | Keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium | |
| Pectiniform Septum |