THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: II

ALBERT S. BERKOWITZ, PH.D.

HISTOLOGY FALL 1994 - Male Reproductive System Laboratory: II

Slide #117 Testis and epididymis, monkey
This section shows the monkey testis which by now you should all be able to identify and the epididymis. The epididymis is well fixed and you should be able to see the tall pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells with the stereocilia. Note the layers of smooth muscle which surround the epithelium. Review functions of epididymis.

Slide #19 Epididymis, human
Again this tissue is not particularly well fixed. However, you should still be able to identify the pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Note the stereocilia on the luminal free epithelial surface. The epithelium rests on a very delicate basement membrane which is difficult to identify on this slide. A very prominent Golgi comlex can be seen just above the nuclei of the epithelial cells. The epithelium is surrounded by a layer of smooth muscle which becomes two layers in the tail. What purpose do you think this layer of smooth muscle might serve? Note the spermatozoa in the lumen of the epididymis. Note: Some of your slides may also have vas deferens.

Slide #21 vas deferens and epididymis, immature monkey
Once again note that the epididymis is lined with a tall pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia. Using your imagination and your high power objective you should be able to see the large supranuclear Golgi complex. Note the layer of smooth muscle (two layers if the section is from tail) beneath the basement membrane. Note that both the outer tubular profile and the inner, luminal contours are smooth. Locate and identify the vas deferens and its three layers of smooth muscle. The vas deferens is lined with tall columnar cells with stereocilia. The outer tubular profile is smooth but the inner luminal contour demonstrates folds.

Slide #114 vas deferens, human
Identify: Ampullary region of vas deferens with deeply folded lumen.

Slide #16 Spermatic cord, human
Identify the vas deferens. Review its epithelium and structure. Identify nerves and vessels. Note the pampiniform plexus of veins. What is its function? Do you see skeletal muscle within the spermatic cord? What is this muscle and its function?

Slide #15 and 18 Seminal vesicle, human
Identify:

Slide #20 Prostate, human
This tissue is very poorly fixed but you should still be able to appreciate the glandular nature of the prostate, which in reality is a conglomerate of compound, tubuloalveolar glands. The epithelium is simple cuboidal/columnar or pseudostratified columnar but is difficult to appreciate in this slide. The form of the glands is irregular but there are usually folds of epithelium (with this connective tissue core) which project into the luminae of the glands. Unlike the seminal vesicle, the folds do not form bridges. Note the muscle fibers which penetrate between the prostatic lobules.

Slide #18 Penis, human
In this slide, the penile skin has been stripped away. However, you should be able to see the paired dorsal columns, the corpora cavernosa and the single ventral column, the corpus spongiosum, which contains the urethra. Unfortunately, the urethral epithelium is poorly preserved. In the columns note the extensive system of trabeculae (fibroelastic tissue containing smooth muscle) and an equally extensive system of blood sinusoids, the venous sinuses. Note that a very dense connective tissue layer surrounds the corpora cavernosae and to a lesser degree, the corpus spongiosum. This layer is the tunica albuginea of the penis. Proximally, the tunica albuginea completely separates both corpora cavernosae; distally, this septum is incomplete. You may be able to locate the dorsal vein lying in the loose connective tissue external to the corpora cavernosa.