Male and female genital

1. HISTOLOGY OF MALE AND
FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEMS.
DR. G. TOWO.

2. THE MALE GENITAL SYSTEM
Composed of the testes, genital ducts, accessory glands,
and penis.
The dual function of the testis is to produce
spermatozoa and hormones.
The genital ducts and accessory glands produce
secretions that, aided by smooth muscle contractions,
conduct spermatozoa toward the exterior.
These secretions also provide nutrients for spermatozoa
while they are confined to the male reproductive
tract.
 Spermatozoa and the secretions of the genital ducts and accessory glands make
up the semen.
 Although testosterone is the main hormone produced in the testes, both
testosterone and one of its metabolites, dihydrotestosterone, are
necessary for the physiology of men.

4. Testes
• Each testis is surrounded by a thick capsule of
dense connective tissue (tunica vaginalis)
• Tunica albuginea is thickened on the posterior
surface of the testis to form the mediastinum
testis, from which fibrous septa penetrate the
gland, dividing it into about 250 pyramidal
compartments called the testicular lobules.
• These septa are incomplete, and there is
frequent intercommunication between the
lobules.
• Each lobule is occupied by one to four
seminiferous tubules enmeshed in a web of
loose connective tissue that is rich in blood
and lymphatic vessels, nerves, and interstitial
cells, also known as Leydig cells.
• Seminiferous tubules produce male
reproductive cells, the spermatozoa.
During embryonic development the testes develop retroperitoneally in the dorsal wall of the abdominal
cavity. They migrate during fetal development and become positioned within the scrotum, at the ends of the
spermatic cords. Because of this migration, each testis carries with it a serous sac, the tunica vaginalis,
derived from the peritoneum. The tunic consists of an outer parietal layer and an inner visceral layer,
covering the tunica albuginea on the anterior and lateral sides of the testis.

5. Seminiferous Tubules
• Spermatozoids are produced in the
seminiferous tubules at a daily rate of about 2
x 108 in the adult.
• Each testicle has 250 to1000 seminiferous
tubules that measure about 150 to 250 mm in
diameter and 30 to 70 cm in length.
• The combined length of the tubules of one
testis is about 250 m. The tubules are
convoluted and have the form of loops at
whose ends the lumen narrows and continues
in short segments, known as straight tubules,
or tubuli recti.
• These tubules connect the seminiferous
tubules to an anastomosing labyrinth of
epithelium-lined channels, the rete testis.
• About 10 to 20 ductuli efferentes connect the
rete testis to the cephalic portion of the
epididymis

6. • The seminiferous tubules are
lined with a complex stratified
epithelium called germinal or
seminiferous epithelium.
• Their outer wall is surrounded
by a well-defined basal lamina
and a fibrous connective tissue
consisting of several layers of
fibroblasts .
• The innermost layer, adhering
to the basal lamina, consists of
flattened myoid cells, which
have characteristics of smooth
muscle.
• Interstitial (Leydig) cells occupy
much of the space between the
seminiferous tubules

7. • The seminiferous epithelium
consists of two types of cells:
Sertoli, or supporting cells and
cells that constitute the
spermatogenic lineage.
• The cells of the spermatogenic
lineage are stacked in four to eight
layers; their function is to produce
spermatozoa.
• The production of spermatozoa is
called spermatogenesis, a process
that includes cell division through
mitosis and meiosis and the final
differentiation of spermatozoids,
which is called spermiogenesis.

8. Spermatogenesis
• Spermatogenesis is the process
by which spermatozoids are
formed. It begins with a
primitive germ cell, the
spermatogonium (generation),
which is a relatively small cell,
about 12 m in diameter,
situated next to the basal
lamina of the epithelium.
• At sexual maturity,
spermatogonia begin dividing
by mitosis, producing
successive generations of cells.

9. Spermiogenesis is the final stage of
production of spermatozoids.
During spermiogenesis the spermatids are
transformed into spermatozoa, cells that are
highly specialized to deliver male DNA to the
ovum. No cell division occurs during this
process.
The spermatids can be distinguished by
their small size (7 to 8m in diameter) and by
nuclei with areas of condensed chromatin.
Spermiogenesis is a complex process that
includes formation of the acrosome,
condensation and elongation of the nucleus,
development of the flagellum, and loss of
much of the cytoplasm.
The end result is the mature spermatozoon,
which is then released into the lumen of the
seminiferous tubule.

10. Spermiogenesis
• From this first meiotic division arise
smaller cells called secondary
spermatocytes
• Secondary spermatocytes are difficult to
observe in sections of the testis because
they are short-lived cells that remain in
interphase very briefly and quickly enter
into the second meiotic division.
• Division of each secondary spermatocyte
results in two cells that contain 23
chromosomes, the spermatids.
• Because no S phase (DNA synthesis)
occurs between the first and second
meiotic divisions of the spermatocytes,
the amount of DNA per cell in this
second division is reduced by half,
forming haploid (1N) cells.
S phase ; The phase of the mitotic cycle during which DNA synthesis
occurs.

11. The Golgi Phase
• The cytoplasm of spermatids contains
a prominent Golgi complex near the
nucleus, mitochondria, a pair of
centrioles, free ribosomes, and
tubules of smooth endoplasmic
reticulum .
• Small periodic granules called
proacrosomal granules accumulate in
the Golgi complex. They subsequently
coalesce to form a single acrosomal
granule within a membrane-limited
acrosomal vesicle
• The centrioles migrate to a position
near the cell surface and opposite the
forming acrosome.
• The flagellar axoneme begins to form,
and the centrioles migrate back
toward the nucleus, spinning out the
axonemal components as they move.

12. Sertoli Cells
• The Sertoli cells are important for the function
of the testes. These cells are elongated
pyramidal cells that partially envelop cells of
the spermatogenic lineage. The bases of the
Sertoli cells adhere to the basal lamina, and
their apical ends frequently extend into the
lumen of the seminiferous tubule.
• Adjacent Sertoli cells are bound together by
occluding junctions at the basolateral part of
the cell
• Spermatocytes and spermatids lie within deep
invaginations of the lateral and apical margins
of the Sertoli cells.
• As the flagellar tails of the spermatids develop,
they appear as tufts extending from the apical
ends of the Sertoli cells.
Spermatozoa are transported to the epididymis in an appropriate medium, testicular fluid,
produced by the Sertoli cells and rete testis lining cells. This fluid contains steroids, proteins,
ions, and androgen-binding protein (ABP) associated with testosterone.

13. Intratesticular Genital Ducts
• The intratesticular genital ducts are the tubuli
recti (straight tubules), the rete testis, and the
ductuli efferentes .
• These ducts carry spermatozoa and liquid from
the seminiferous tubules to the ductus
epididymidis.
• Most seminiferous tubules are in the form of
loops, both ends of which join the rete testis by
structures known as tubuli recti.
• Tubuli recti empty into the rete testis
• The rete testis is a highly anastomotic network of
channels lined with cuboidal epithelium.
• From the rete testis extend ductuli efferentes.
• They have an epithelium composed of groups of
nonciliated cuboidal cells alternating with ciliated
cells that beat in the direction of the epididymis.

14. Excretory Genital Ducts
• Excretory genital ducts transport the spermatozoa
produced in the testis toward the penile meatus.
• These ducts are the ductus epididymidis, the ductus
(vas) deferens, and the urethra.
• The ductus epididymidis is a single highly coiled tube
(4-6 m in length).
• Together with surrounding connective tissue and blood
vessels, this long canal forms the body and tail of the
epididymis.
• It is lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium
composed of rounded basal cells and columnar cells.
• These cells are supported on a basal lamina
surrounded by smooth muscle cells, whose peristaltic
contractions help to move the sperm along the duct,
and by loose connective tissue rich in blood capillaries.
Their surface is covered by long, branched, irregular
microvilli called stereocilia.

15. ductus (vas) deferens
• From the epididymis the
ductus (vas) deferens, a
straight tube with a thick,
muscular wall, continues
toward the prostatic urethra
and empties into it.
• It is characterized by a narrow
lumen and a mucosa with
longitudinal folds, covered
along most of its extent by
pseudostratified columnar
epithelium with stereocilia.

16. • The lamina propria is rich in elastic fibers, and the thick
muscular layer consists of longitudinal inner and outer
layers separated by a circular layer. The abundant smooth
muscle produces strong peristaltic contractions that
participate in the expulsion of the spermatozoa during
ejaculation.

17. • The ductus deferens forms part of
the spermatic cord, which includes
the testicular artery, the pampiniform
plexus, and nerves. Before it enters
the prostate, the ductus deferens
dilates, forming a region called the
ampulla.
• In this area, the epithelium becomes
thicker and extensively folded. At the
final portion of the ampulla, the
seminal vesicles join the duct.
• From there on, the ductus deferens
enters the prostate, opening into the
prostatic urethra. The segment
entering the prostate is called the
ejaculatory duct. The mucous layer
of the ductus deferens continues
through the ampulla into the
ejaculatory duct, but the muscle layer
ends after the ampulla.

18. Accessory Genital Glands
• The accessory genital glands produce secretions that are
essential for the reproductive function in men. The
accessory genital glands are the seminal vesicles, the
prostate, and the bulbourethral glands.
• The seminal vesicles consist of two highly tortuous tubes
about 15 cm in length.
• It has a folded mucosa that is lined with cuboidal or
pseudostratified columnar epithelium rich in secretory
granules.
• Epithelial Tissue.
• The lamina propria of the seminal vesicles is rich in
elastic fibers and surrounded by a thin layer of smooth
muscle.
• The seminal vesicles are not reservoirs for spermatozoa.
They are glands that produce a viscid, yellowish secretion
that contains spermatozoa-activating substances such as
carbohydrates, citrate, inositol, prostaglandins, and
several proteins.
• Seventy percent of human ejaculate originates in the
seminal vesicles. The height of the epithelial cells of the
seminal vesicles and the degree of activity of the
secretory processes are dependent on testosterone
levels

19. Prostate
• The prostate is a collection of
30-50 branched tubuloalveolar
glands.
• Their ducts empty into the
prostatic urethra, which crosses
the prostate.
• The prostate has three distinct
zones: The central zone
occupies 25% of the gland's
volume. Seventy percent of the
gland is formed by the
peripheral zone, which is the
major site of prostatic cancer.
• The transition zone is of
medical importance because it
is the site at which most benign
prostatic hyperplasia originates.

21. • The tubuloalveolar glands of the
prostate are formed by a cuboidal
or a columnar pseudostratified
epithelium. An exceptionally rich
fibromuscular stroma surrounds
the glands.
• The prostate is surrounded by a
fibroelastic capsule rich in smooth
muscle. Septa from this capsule
penetrate the gland and divide it
into lobes that are indistinct in
adult men.

22. Penis
• The main components of the penis are
three cylindrical masses of erectile tissue,
plus the urethra, surrounded by skin.
• Two of these cylinders the corpora
cavernosa of the penis are placed
dorsally.
• The other the corpus cavernosum of the
urethra, or corpus spongiosum is
ventrally located and surrounds the
urethra.
• At its end it dilates, forming the glans
penis.
• Most of the penile urethra is lined with
pseudostratified columnar epithelium; in
the glans penis, it becomes stratified
squamous epithelium. Mucus-secreting
glands of Littre are found throughout the
length of the penile urethra.

23. Prepuce
• The is a retractile fold of skin that contains connective
tissue with smooth muscle in its interior. Sebaceous
glands are present in the internal fold and in the skin that
covers the glans.
• The corpora cavernosa are covered by a resistant layer of
dense connective tissue, the tunica albuginea.
• The corpora cavernosa of the penis and the corpus
cavernosum of the urethra are composed of erectile
tissue. This is a tissue with a large number of venous
spaces lined with endothelial cells and separated by
trabeculae of connective tissue fibers and smooth muscle
cells.

24. THE FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM
Ovaries
Oviducts
Uterus
Vagina
Breast
Placenta
Follicle Growth
Menstrual Cycle

25. Overview
• Internal Genetalia :
– Paired of Ovaries
– Paired of Oviduct
– Uterus
– Vagina
• External Genetalia:
– Labia Majora
– Labia Minora
– Clitoris

26. OVARIES
 GERMINAL EPITH.
 Simple Sq.-cuboid Epith.
 TUNICA ALBUGINEA
 Dense connective tissue
whitish color
 CORTEX
– Stroma that houses ovarian
follicles in various stages of
development
 MEDULLA
– Loose C. Tissue containing
vascular bed and nervous

27. OVARIAN CYCLE
Three phases of ovarian cycle :
• Follicular phase
– Development of primordial F.Mature F.
– Folicular phase of endometrium
• Ovulatory phase
– Release of oocyte from mature F. and capture by oviducts
• Luteal phase
– Residual follicular cell folds and becomes part of Corpus
Luteum (C.L.)
– Secretion/luteal phase of endometrium

28. FOLLICULAR GROWTH (Follicular phase)
PRIMORDIAL F.
(formed during fetal life)
Follicular
Growth
PUBERTY
Modification of :
•Oocyte
•Granulosa cells
•Stromal fibroblast
WHAT IS OVARIAN FOLLICLES? :
•An oocyte
•Follicular/ granulosa cells

29. FOLLICULAR GROWTH (Follicular phase)

30. FOLLICULAR GROWTH (Follicular phase)
1. PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLE :
A. primary oocyte
• Arrested in prophase stage of MI
• ~ 25 µm in diameter
B. follicular cells
• single layer of flattened cells
• Attach by desmosomes
Start at puberty, small groups of
primordial F. stimulated by FSH begins
the follicular growth  primary F.
 Secondary F. Graafian F.

31. FOLLICULAR GROWTH (Follicular phase)
2. PRIMARY FOLLICLE
A. primary oocyte
• growth to 125-150 mm
diam.
B. follicular cells
• cuboidal cells
• 1 to many layers
 Zona pellucida separate oocyte
from F.C
C. Stromal cells
• Theca interna
• Theca externa

32. FOLLICULAR GROWTH (Follicular phase)
3. SECONDARY FOLLICLE
A. primary oocyte
• 125-150 mm diam.
B. follicular cells
• cuboidal cells, many layers
• Liquor folliculiAntrum
• Cumulus oophorus
• Corona radiata
C. Stromal cells
• Theca interna ~steroid producing
cells
• Theca externa

33. FOLLICULAR GROWTH (Follicular phase)
4.GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE
A. Primary oocyte
B. Follicular cells
• Continued growth  2.5 cm
in diameter
• Continues formation of liquor
foliculi oocyte floating
During each menstrual cycle,
Only one follicle growth
Becomes Dominant F.
The other enter ATRESIA

34. OVARIAN CYCLE
Three phases of ovarian cycle :
• Follicular phase
– Development of primordial F.Mature F.
• Ovulatory phase
– Release of oocyte from mature F. and capture by
oviducts
• Luteal phase
– Residual follicular cell folds and becomes part of
Corpus Luteum (C.L.)

35. OVULATION PHASE
Day 14 of menstrual Cycle
• LH surge
• Rupture the wall of G.F
– PG, Histamine,Collagenases
– Hyaluronic acid
• Complete the 1st meiosis
• Release of secondary oocyte (arrest in
metaphase II) with corona radiata
• Received the oocyte by fimbriae
fertilization usually in oviduct
male & female pronuclei fuse = zygote

36. OVARIAN CYCLE
Three phases of ovarian cycle :
• Follicular phase
– Development of primordial F.Mature F.
• Ovulatory phase
– Release of oocyte from mature F. and capture by
oviducts
• Luteal phase
– Residual follicular cell folds and becomes part of
Corpus Luteum (C.L.)

37. CORPUS LUTEUM/C.L. (LUTEAL PHASE )
AFTER OVULATION :
 remainder of graafian follicle
collapse & folded
 Blood flow into follicular cavity  clot +
invaded by C.T. phagocytes  central
part C.L.
 Granulosa cellgranulosa-lutein cells
 Theca interna cells  theca-lutein
cells
 C.L produce estrogen & progesteron

38. FATE OF CORPUS LUTEUM ??
DEPEND ON WHETHER
PREGNANCY IS
ESTBALISH OR NOT :
• If the pregnancy does not occur 
C.L. degenerate  CORPUS
ALBICANS
• If pregnancy occur hCG
maintains C.L  C.L. of pregnancy
 secrete hormone  maintain
pregnancy
C.L. Gravidarum

39. CORPUS ALBICANS
• C.L of menstruation is
invaded by fibroblasts
fibrotic.
• Its remnant undergo
luteolysis
• Fibrous connective tissue
 corpus albicans
• Persist as the scar on the
surface of ovary

40. OVIDUCTS (Fallopian Tubes)
The walls composed of :
• Mucosa layer
– Lines by simple column. Epith.
– Lamina propia
– Charaterized by longitudinal folds
• Muscularis layer
– Inner circular and outer longitudinal layers
of smooth muscle
• Serosa layer
– Simple sq. epithelium
The oviducts is the site of
fertilization & early
cleavage of the zygote

41. Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes)
Two types epith. Cell :
• Non ciliated peg cells
– No cilia
– Secretory :
• Nutritive & protective for
oocyte
• capacitation of sperm.
• Ciliated cells
– Cilia beat toward the uterus
Peristaltic contraction +
ciliary activity + fluid  move oocyte/
zygote toward the uterus

42. UTERUS
The Walls of uterus :
• Endometrium
• Myometrium
• Serosa/adventitia

43. Uterus (Endometrium)
• Epithelium :
– simple columnar epith.
• ciliated cells
• secretory cells
• lamina propria
– loose CT, rich in fibroblast,
reticular fiber
– uterine glands (simple
tubular)
The microscopic structure of
The endometrium change during
Menstrual cycle

44. Uterus (Endometrium)
Two layers (zone) :
• Functionalis
– Thick, superficial (surface epith., lam.
prop., & gland)
– Rich capillary network (coiled
arteries)
– Sloughed at menstruation
• Basalis
– Deep, narow (lam. prop., & gland)
– straight arteries
– Regenerate functionalis layer each
mentrual cycle

45. Uterus (Myometrium)
 Thickest layer of uterus
 Composed of three layers of
smooth muscle:
– inner longitudinal
– middle circular (strat.Vasculature)
– outer longitudinal
 The size & number of muscle cells are
related to estrogen levels
 Pregnancy : hyperplasia & hypertrophy

46. Menstrual Cycle
• Under stimulus of estr. & progest. endometrium undergo cyclic
structure modification
Proliferatifsecretionmentruationproliferatif
• Duration = 28 days
• Puberty  menopause

47. Proliferative/follicular phase (days 5-14)
• After menstrual phase
• Coincides with ovarian follicles
development (estrog.)
• Regeneration of endometr.
day 14, fully restored
– surface epithelium
– lamina propria
– coiled arteries
– uterine glands : simple columnar
epithel, straight tubule, narrow
lumens.

48. Secretory / Luteal phase (days 15-28)
• Begins after ovulation
• Depends on C.L. Secretions (progest)
Uterine glands: coiled & branched,
accumulation of glycogendilate the
lumen
• Thickening of functionalis (edema and
secretory product)
• Prepared to receive zygote

49. Menstrual phase (days 1-4)
• When no fertilization 
C.L. degenerates  drop in progest. &
est.
• coiled arteries constrict  ischemia &
necrosis of Functionalis layer
• Rupture of arteries  hemorrhagic
• Shedding of functional layer,
• basal layer remain viable 
restore functional layer

50. ENDOMETRIAL CYCLE

51. PLACENTA
• Temporary organ as the site of
physiologic exchanges between
mother and fetus
• also as an endocrine organ
• Consist of :
– Fetal part :
• Chorionic villi arise from chorionic
plate
• Connective tissue surrounded by
syncytiotrophoblast and
cytotrophoblast
– Maternal part :
• Decidua basalis form lacunae

52. PLACENTA
Placental barrier :
a) trophoblast layers
b) basal lamina of
Trophoblast
a) Mesenchyme
b) basal lamina of
capillaries
a) endothelium of
fetal capillary

53. CERVIX
• Epithel :
– Lumen : mucus-secreting simple columnar epith.
– External surface : stratified sq. nonkeratinized epith.
• Wall :
– dense, collagenous cont. tissue
• Cervical glands regulates by progesteron
– Serous/watery fluid : around the time of ovulation
– viscous/mucus : at pregnancy/luteal phase of
menstruation

54. VAGINA
Vagina consist of three layers :
• Mucosa
– Strat. Sq. Nonkeratinized Epit.(>>
glycogen)
– Lamina propria : loose fibroelastic C.T. ,
rich vascular.
– No glands ; vaginal fluid comes from
transudation & cervical glands
• Muscularis
– Smooth muscle, inner circular & outer
longitudinal
• Adventitia
– Dense fibroelastic C.T

55. EXTERNAL GENETALIA
• Labia majora
– Structure ~ skin
– Rich adipose tissue
– Sweat & sebaceous glands
• Labia minora
– Spongy C.T. with elastic fiber
– >> blood vesel & nerve ending
– sebaceous glands
• Clitoris
– Strat. Sq. epithelium
– Two erectil bodies (blood vessels,
sensory nerve)
• Glands
– Glands of Bartholin : mucus
– Minor vestibular glands

56. Mammary Glands
• Organs of milk production
• Consist of 15-25 lobes of comp.
tubuloalveolar gland
• Excretory lactiferous duct
• Dense C.T. & adipose tissue separate the
lobes
• Histologic structure varies according to :
– Age
– Physiologic status

57. Figure 28.23a-c
The Mammary Glands