Histology of

Male Reproductive System

Histology course Part 10

Dr. Michael Barlasov MD

 Testis
Seminiferous tubules 250 lobules
Straight tubules – short terminal section of the seminiferous
tubule is lined only by Sertoli cells
Rete testis
Efferent ductules
Testis
Seminiferous tubule
 INTRATESTICULAR DUCTS
Rete testis - Complex interconnecting Efferent ductules - Pseudostratified
channels - low columnar epithelium within columnar epithelium
the highly vascular connective tissue

Connective tissue (CT) smooth muscle (SM) blood vessels (BV)

 Tubules of the epididymis
Sperm maturation
Decapacitation - inhibits the fertilizing ability of the sperm
Absorption – fluid
Secretion - glycerophosphocholine, sialic acid, and glycoproteins
Phagocytose – degenerate sperm cells
Ductus (vas) deferens
 Seminal vesicles
The wall contains:
• mucosa pseudostratified nonciliated columnar epithelium
• layer of smooth muscle Mucosa folds - increase the secretory surface
• fibrous layer

smooth muscle

Secrete contains : HCO3-, fructose, amino acids, ascorbic acid, clotting

proteins and prostaglandins
 Prostate
Tubuloalveolar gland
Fibromuscular stroma

prostate gland secretes: • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (protease)

• Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP)
• Fibrinolysin
• citric acid
Urinary & Reproductive
 Bulbourethral glands (Cowper’s glands)

compound tubuloalveolar gland

simple columnar epithelium

excretory ducts

bulbourethral glands secrete: preseminal fluid

• galactose
• galactosamine
• galacturonic acid
• sialic acid
• methylpentose
 Penis Penis

Corpora cavernosa

Corpus spongiosum
 Corpora cavernosa
Corpora cavernosa contain:
• Tunica albuginea - dense, fibroelastic layer
• Cavernous sinuses wide, irregularly shaped vascular spaces lined with
vascular endothelium
• Smooth muscle layer surrounded spaces
 Histology of
Female Reproductive System
Ovarian
Structure
 Follicles
primordial follicle

primary follicle late primary follicle

 Follicles

mature Graafian follicle

secondary follicle
Corpus luteum

Urinary & Reproductive

Uterine tube
 Uterine tube

Simple ciliated columnar epithelium

Urinary & Reproductive

 Uterine wall

Endometrium:
• simple ciliated columnar epithelium
• lamina propria
- stratum functionalis (functional layer)
- stratum basalis (basal layer)

Myometrium:
three layers of smooth muscle fibers:
- inner longitudinal
- middle circular
- outer longitudinal

Perimetrium:
visceral peritoneum
- simple squamous epithelium
- areolar connective tissue.
Endometrium

Urinary & Reproductive

Cervix, cervical canal, and vaginal fornix
Vagina