Histology Testbank: Male Reproductive System 2a

Instructions: For each histology question, pick the one best answer. This histology test bank is also useful for the histology questions on the USMLE (USMLE step 1).

1.
Which cells are directly involved in spermatogenesis?
a. Interstitial cells
b. Leydig cells
c. Sertoli cells
d. Sustentacular cells
e. Both c and d

Answer: e

Leydig cells produce testosterone. These are also called "interstitial cells" or "interstitial cells of Leydig". Sertoli cells are directly involved in spermatogenesis. They are also called "sustentacular cells" or "nurse cells".

2.
Which of the following are produced by the Sertoli cells?
a. Inhibin
b. Androgen binding protein
c. Testosterone
d. Both a and b
e. All of the above

Answer: d

Sertoli cells produce inhibin and androgen-binding protein. The interstitial cells of Leydig produce testosterone.

3.
Which of the following is NOT considered an accessory gland?
a. Prostate
b. Bulbourethral gland
c. Seminal vesicles
d. Ductus deferens
e. None of the above

Answer: d

The male genital duct system contains: rete testes, tubuli recti, ductuli efferentes, ductus epididymidis, and ductus deferens. The male accessory glands contain the bulbourethral glands, seminal vesicles, and prostate.

4.
What is another term for a bulbourethral gland?
a. Bartholin's gland
b. Prostate gland
c. Skene's gland
d. Cowper's gland
e. Brunner's gland

Answer: d

Bartholin's glands are also called the greater vestibular glands. Bartholin's glands are found in females and are homologous to the bulbourethral glands in males.

The prostate gland is found in males.

Skene's glands are also called the lesser vestibular glands and are found in females.

The bulbourethral glands are also called Cowper's glands. The bulbourethral glands are found in males and are homologous to the Bartholin's glands in females.

Brunner's glands are found in the duodenum.

5.
What are the spherical structures seen in some prostatic alveoli called?
a. Psammoma bodies
b. Corpora arenacea
c. Hassall's corpuscles
d. Prostatic concretions
e. Pacinian corpuscles

Answer: d

Psammoma bodies are collections of calcium. It is derived from the Greek word "psammos", which means sand.

Corpora arenacea refers to the calcifications seen in the pineal gland. Corpora arenacea is nicknamed "brain sand".

Hassall's corpuscles are the ring like structures found in the thymus.

The spherical structures seen in some prostatic alveoli are called prostatic concretions.

Pacinian corpuscles are pressure receptors in the skin.

6.
What type of epithelium lines the seminal vesicles?
a. Pseudostratified
b. Simple columnar
c. Stratified squamous
d. Simple squamous
e. Simple cuboidal

Answer: a

Pseudostratified epithelium lines the seminal vesicles.

7.
What type of epithelium lines the vas deferens?
a. Pseudostratified
b. Simple columnar
c. Stratified squamous
d. Simple squamous
e. Simple cuboidal

Answer: a

Pseudostratified epithelium lines the vas deferens.

8.
What type of gland composes the prostate?
a. Simple straight tubular gland
b. Simple coiled tubular gland
c. Simple alveolar gland
d. Compound tubular gland
e. Compound tubuloalveolar gland

A gland that has a duct that does not branch is called a simple gland. If the duct
branches, it is referred to as a compound gland.

If the the part of the gland which secretes elements is shaped like a tube, it is
referred to as a tubular gland. If the ending of the tube is flasklike, it is
tubuloalveoler. If the part of the gland which secretes elements is shaped like a flask, it is referred to as acinar or alveolar.

The prostate is made of compound tuboloalveolar glands.

9.
What is the stroma of the prostate?
a. Loose irregular connective tissue
b. Smooth muscle
c. Fibromuscular
d. Adipose tissue
e. Dense irregular connective tissue

Answer: c

The glands of the prostate lie in a fibromuscular stroma. It is also referred to as a fibroelastic stroma. There are bundles of smooth muscle within dense irregular connective tissue.

10.
How many layers of smooth muscle are in the vas deferens?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5

Answer: c

There are three layers of smooth muscle in the vas deferens. There is an inner longitudinal, a middle circular, and an outer longitudinal.