Interstitial Tissue fibroblasts, lymphatics, and blood vessels Leydig cells: large round or polygonal cells with central nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm luteinizing hormone (LH), which is also called interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH).
Seminiferous Tubules sperm 2 × 10 8 per day in the young adult 250 to 1000 such tubules 150-250 μm in diameter and 30-70 cm in length 250 m stratified epithelium--> spermatogenic epithelium basement membrane: connective tissue, smooth muscle-like myoid cells nondividing Sertoli cells: support developing sperm cell Dividing cells of the spermatogenic lineage
Spermatogenesis spermatogonia next to the basement membrane closely associated with Sertoli cell surfaces type A spermatogonia type B spermatogonia (spherical and pale nuclei) primary spermatocytes (spherical cells with euchromatic nuclei : 46, the largest cells, enter meiotic prophase) secondary spermatocytes: 23, rare, short-lived--> two haploid cells called spermatids Spermiogenesis: spermatids differentiate into spermatozoa
Sertoli Cells tall “columnar” epithelial cells nourish the spermatogenic cells adhere to the basal lamina and apical ends extend to the lumen, Each Sertoli cell supports 30-50 developing germ cells.
INTRATESTICULAR DUCTS straight tubules (or tubuli recti), the rete testis, and the efferent ductules carry spermatozoa and liquid from the seminiferous tubules to the duct of the epididymis Rete testes: cuboidal epithelium efferent ductules: nonciliated cuboidal cells alternate with groups of taller ciliated cells
EXCRETORY GENITAL DUCTS epididymis, the ductus (or vas) deferens, and the urethra transport sperm from the scrotum to the penis during ejaculation
Epididymis superior and posterior side of testes 4-5 m sperm through the duct takes 2-4 weeks maturation and acquire the ability to fertilize pseudostratified columnar epithelium, long stereocilia, small round stem cells few layers of smooth muscle
Ductus or Vas Deferens a long straight tube with a thick, muscular wall and a relatively small lumen, pseudostratified with some cells having sparse stereocilia thick muscularis consists of longitudinal inner and outer layers and a middle circular layer strong peristaltic contractions during ejaculation,
ejaculatory ducts
ACCESSORY GLANDS seminal vesicles (or glands), the prostate gland, and the bulbourethral glands
Prostate Gland surrounds the urethra below the bladder dense organ 2 cm × 3 cm × 4 cm in size and weighs about 20 g. 30-50 tubuloacinar glands dense fibromuscular stroma: smooth muscle contracts at ejaculation
simple or pseudostratified columnar epithelium glycoproteins, enzymes, and small molecules such as prostaglandins corpora amylacea: 0.2-2 mm in diameter, glycoproteins and keratan sulfate
Bulbourethral Glands: Cowper glands 3-5 mm in diameter located in the urogenital diaphragm simple columnar epithelium smooth muscle cells clear mucus-like secretion that coats and lubricates the urethra
PENIS three cylindrical masses of erectile tissue Two of the corpora cavernosa—are dorsal; the ventral corpus spongiosum surrounds the urethra penile urethra: pseudostratified columnar epithelium, in glan becomes stratified squamous epithelium
The corpora cavernosa : surrounded by a dense fibroelastic layer, the tunica albuginea All three erectile tissues: consist of many venous cavernous, endothelium, separated by trabeculae with smooth muscle and connective tissue Central arteries in the corpora cavernosa