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Endocrine & Reproductive Systems

Comprehensive Review

 


OBJECTIVES (Pituitary gland):

  1. Be able to identify the parts of the pituitary gland, and describe their embryological origin.
  2. Name the cell types that produce the various hormones of the anterior pituitary, and know whether they are acidophils or basophils.
  3. Describe the role of hypothalamic neurosecretion in the function of the posterior pituitary, and in the regulation of the anterior pituitary, and recognize the histological structures involved in these functions.

OBJECTIVES (Thyroid & parathyroid glands):

  1. Explain how structures seen in the thyroid gland, at both the light and electron microscope levels, are involved in the production of thyroglobulin, its storage, and its subsequent breakdown to yield thyroid hormones.
  2. Recognize the parathyroid gland in histological section, and within the gland identify the chief cells (source of parathyroid hormone) and oxyphil cells.

OBJECTIVES (Adrenal gland):

  1. Recognize the zones of the adrenal cortex that produce aldosterone and cortisol, and explain how the blood supply is arranged for efficient uptake of the hormones.
  2. Recognize the adrenal medulla in histological section, and explain the functional similarity of its cells to those of the sympathetic nervous system.

OBJECTIVES (Male Reproductive System):

  1. Describe the structure of a human sperm.
  2. Recognize germ cells at different steps of spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubule, and explain which steps involve meiosis, and which involve cellular differentiation into sperm (spermiogenesis).
  3. Recognize Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, and explain their roles in the production of sperm and regulation of the male reproductive system.
  4. Recognize the various parts of the male reproductive tract in histological section, and explain the contribution of each part to the production of semen for the final ejaculate.

OBJECTIVES (Female Reproductive System):

  1. Understand and identify the stages of follicular growth (primordial, primary, secondary, tertiary), as well as the changes that occur in the follicular wall during pregnancy.
  2. Identify the regional variations in the structure of the oviduct.
  3. Describe the changes that occur in the ovary and oviduct during the menstrual cycle.
  4. Distinguish the cyclical alterations in the uterine endometrium and understand their hormonal bases.
  5. Describe the alterations and functional changes in the cytology of the cervix and vagina during the menstrual cycle, and during pregnancy.
  6. Understand the histological basis of implantation and placentation.
  7. Identify the cells that form mature chorionic villi.
  8. Describe the immature and mature placental barriers.
  9. Be able to identify the components of the mammary gland:
    1. Nipple and areola
    2. Lobes and lobules
    3. Lactiferous ducts and sinuses
    4. Secretory alveoli (acini)
    5. Intralobular and interlobular connective tissue
  10. Identify and describe the histological differences in the mammary gland:
    1. Prior to pregnancy in adult females (inactive)
    2. During pregnancy and lactation (active)
  11. Understand the multiple, cellular mechanisms involved in the formation and release of milk.

 

Review and lookalike presentation (Dr. Kim)

 

Lab orientations

Dr. Velkey's "orientations" (labeled slides from glass collection)

Dr. Kim's "orientations" (powerpoints used in Lab A/B, from virtual slides)

 

VIRTUAL MICROSCOPE SLIDES

If on campus, remember to click here to map a drive to the file server, and USE THE [WinLab] LINKS!

I. ENDOCRINE ORGANS

 

PITUITARY

Adenohypophysis (W pg. 330, 17.3)
Slide 226human_xc_triC [Mac] [WinLab] [WinHome] [orientation]
Slide 226human_xc_HE [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 226human_sag_HE_20x [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [orientation]
Slide 226human_sag_HE_40x [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 227human_sag_triC [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [orientation]

 

Neurohypophysis ( W pg. 332, 17.5)
Slide 227monkey_xc_triC [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [orientation]
Slide 227monkey_xc_HE [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [orientation]
Slide 226human_sag_HE_40x [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 227human_sag_triC [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

 

Infundibular stalk and hypophyseal portal vessels (W pg 329, 17.1; R pg 690 21.5)
Slide 229B (human) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [orientation]
Slide 229 (human) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

 

THYROID GLAND (W, pgs. 333-5, 17.6-8)
Slide 217 (thyroid, human, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [orientation]
Slide 218-norm (thyroid, rat, normal, trichrome) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 218-hypo (thyroid, rat, hypoactive, trichrome) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 218-hyper (thyroid, rat, hyperactive, trichrome) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

PARATHYROID GLAND (W, pgs. 336-7, 17.12-13)
Slide 217 (thyroid & parathyroid, human, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [orientation]
Slide 220 (parathyroid, human, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 221 (parathyroid, human, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

ADRENAL (Suprarenal) GLAND (W, pgs. 338-41, 17.14-20)
Slide 230 (adrenal gland, human, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [orientation]
Slide 231 (adrenal gland, monkey, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [orientation]

 

II. MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

TESTIS (W pgs 347-53, 18.2-18.5, 18.9)
Slide 270 (testis, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [Orientation]
Slide 270ex (testis, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [Orientation]
Slide 275 (testis, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [Orientation]
Slide UCSF 363 (testis, van Gieson) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 273 (immature testis, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

MEDIASTINUM and EPIDIDYMIS
Slide 270 (testis, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [Orientation]
Slide 270ex (testis, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [Orientation]
Slide 275 (testis, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [Orientation]

SPERMATIC CORD (W pg 354, 18.13; R pg 753, 22.25)
Slide 284 (spermatic cord, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

SEMINAL VESICLE (W pg 355, 18.14; R pg 754, 22.26)
Slide 75 (seminal vesicle, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 279 (seminal vesicle, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

PROSTATE GLAND (W pgs 355-6, 18.15-7)
Slide 281 (prostate, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [Orientation]
Slide 281-lex (prostate, trichrome) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 282 (prostate, senile, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

PENIS (W pgs 357-8, 18.19-22; R pg. 757-8, 22.31-2)
Slide 286 (penis, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] [Orientation]

 

III. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

OVARY (W pgs 360-7, 19.3-12)
Slide 239 (ovary, monkey, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] --primordial, primary, secondary, and atretic follicles
Slide 269 (ovary, monkey, PAS) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] --primordial, primary, secondary, and atretic follicles
Slide 269-2 (ovary, monkey, PAS) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] --primordial, primary, secondary, and atretic follicles
Slide 235 (ovary, human, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] --vascularized theca interna
Slide 234 (ovary, human, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] --atretic follicle with "glassy membrane"
Slide 234-2 (ovary, human, trichrome) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] --atretic follicle with "glassy membrane"
Slide 236a (ovary, human, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome] --corpus luteum

OVIDUCTS (FALLOPIAN or UTERINE TUBES) (W, pgs 367-8, 19.13-14)
Slide 240-1 (oviduct, infundibulum, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 240-2 (oviduct, ampulla, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 241even (oviduct, isthmus, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 241odd (oviduct, uterine segment, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

UTERUS (W pgs 369-75, 19.15-21; R pg 793, 23.19)
Slide 244 (uterus, proliferative phase, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 243 (uterus, early secretory phase, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 245-1 (uterus, secretory phase, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 245-2 (uterus, menstrual phase, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

UTERINE CERVIX (W pgs 376, 19.23-24; R pgs 797-9, 23.22-4)
Slide 249 (cervix, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
UCSF slide 405 (cervix, trichrome) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

VAGINA (W pg 377, 19.26; R pg 802, 23.28-29)
Slide 250-1 (vagina, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 250-2 (vagina, trichrome) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

PLACENTA (slides 253, 255; W pgs 378-84, 19.27-33)
Slide 253 (placenta, early, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 255_20x (placenta, late, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 255_40x (placenta, late, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

INACTIVE MAMMARY GLAND (W, pg 387, 19.38)
Slide 259 (inactive mammary gland) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

ACTIVE MAMMARY GLAND (Slide 258; H&E; W, pgs 388, 19.37-39)
Slide 258 (active mammary gland, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]
Slide 261 (mammary gland, active, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

NIPPLE AND AREOLA (W pg 386, 19.36-7)
Slide 265 (nipple and areola, H&E) [WinLab] [Mac] [Winhome]

 

Electron Micrograph Wall Charts

#109 ANTERIOR PITUITARY (survey view) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

#110 ANTERIOR PITUITARY CELLS [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

#111 POSTERIOR PITUITARY (survey view) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

#106 THYROID GLAND (survey view) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

#107 THYROID FOLLICULAR CELL [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

#108 PARATHYROID GLAND [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

#112 ADRENAL CORTEX [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome

#113 ADRENAL CORTEX ZONA FASCICULATA [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

#114 ADRENAL MEDULLA [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

#131 SEMINIFEROUS TUBULE (Rat) [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

 

#135 OVARY [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

#133 OVARY [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

#134 OVARY [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

#135 PLACENTA - Terminal villus [WinLab] [Mac] [WinHome]

#88 MAMMARY GLAND (lactating) --sorry, not available online right now; be sure to check out the wall chart down by the histo labs!

 

Review Question Answers

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

EN1: What would be the most pronounced histological difference between the pituitaries of castrated and non-castrated males (assuming no hormone replacement)?

EN2: What would happen to the various endocrine glands in the absence of hormone production by the anterior pituitary (for example hypophysectomy)?

EN3: What would be the appearance of the thyroid of a person with Graves disease?

EN4: What hormone is secreted by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid and what hormone produces the opposite physiological effect?

EN5: What is the difference between the origin of cells of the cortex and the origin of medullary cells in the adrenal gland?

EN6: In the medulla, how can you tell which cells secrete epinephrine and which secrete norepinephrine?

EN7: What is responsible for giving the cells of the zona fasciculata their characteristic light colored, bubbly cytoplasm?

EN8: What other organelle, which is not seen well in this micrograph, is also abundant in cells that synthesize steroids?

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

MA1: How can you differentiate between Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and primary spermatocytes?

MA2: What is the function of the pampiniform plexus?

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

FE1: What is the purpose of the corona radiata?

FE2: What is the morphological difference between the corpus albicans and an atretic follicle?

FE3: What is the correlation between the follicular stage and the ovarian stage during the menstrual cycle?

FE4: In what way do the secretory cells of the uterus change at ovulation?

FE5: What layers must nutrients cross to get from maternal to fetal blood in early and late pregnancy?

FE6: What is the difference between intralobular and interlobular connective tissue?

 

Practice Questions

Questions 1 through 6 refer to this trichrome-stained section of the hypophysis. To see a a high magnification view of region "A," click here.

Match each of the target organs below with the appropriately labeled cell or region of the hypophysis. Each labeled cell or region may be used once, more than once, or not at all. For some target organs, there may be MORE THAN ONE correct answer, in which case you should choose all answers that apply.

Note: there won't be any questions quite like this on the exam, but it's a very good way to test your ability to recognize the histology of these organs and correlate it with the physiology.

1. Target organ 1 [Mac link] [PC link]

  1. region A
  2. cell type B
  3. cell type C
  4. cell type D
  5. NONE of the above

ANSWER

2. Target organ 1 [Mac link] [PC link]

  1. region A
  2. cell type B
  3. cell type C
  4. cell type D
  5. NONE of the above

ANSWER

3. Target organ 3 [Mac link] [PC link]

  1. region A
  2. cell type B
  3. cell type C
  4. cell type D
  5. NONE of the above

ANSWER

4. Target organ 4 [Mac link] [PC link]

  1. region A
  2. cell type B
  3. cell type C
  4. cell type D
  5. NONE of the above

ANSWER

5. Target organ 5 [Mac link] [PC link]

  1. region A
  2. cell type B
  3. cell type C
  4. cell type D
  5. NONE of the above

ANSWER

6. Target organ 6 [Mac link] [PC link]

  1. region A
  2. cell type B
  3. cell type C
  4. cell type D
  5. NONE of the above

ANSWER

 

 

7. Which of the following cell types commonly has prominent lipid droplets in the cytoplasm?

  1. cells of the adrenal medulla
  2. theca lutein cells
  3. parathyroid chief cells
  4. Sertoli cells
  5. thyroid parafollicular cells (C-cells)
  6. acidophils of the anterior pituitary

ANSWER

 

Click here to view low magnification image.
Click here to view high magnification image.
8. The asterisk (*) is in the lumen of:

  1. ductus (vas) deferens
  2. efferent duct
  3. epididymis
  4. penile urethra
  5. uterine (or intramural) segment of oviduct
  6. cervical canal

ANSWER

 

Click here to view low magnification image.
Click here to view high magnification image.
9. The tissue shown is:

  1. normal thyroid gland
  2. hypoactive thyroid gland
  3. hyperactive thyroid gland
  4. inactive mammary gland
  5. active mammary gland
  6. prostate gland
  7. seminal vesicle

ANSWER

 

Click here to view image.
10. Hypothyroidism may be caused by malfunction of which cell type shown in this drawing of the anterior pituitary?

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E

ANSWER

 

Click here to view region (note: the region of interest is shown when the window opens)
11. The tissue in the region shown is from:

  1. penis, corpus cavernosum
  2. penis, corpus spongiosum
  3. early placenta
  4. late (term) placenta
  5. seminal vesicle
  6. ductus (vas) deferens

ANSWER

 

Click here to view low magnification image.
Click here to view high magnification image.
12. The tissue shown:

  1. produces LH
  2. produces FSH
  3. will develop into an atretic follicle
  4. will develop into a corpus albicans
  5. ALL of the above

ANSWER

 

 

Click here to view low magnification image.
Click here to view high magnification image.
13. The cell indicated by the arrow in the high magnification image secretes:

  1. immunoglobulin A (IgA) dimers
  2. calcitonin
  3. thyroid hormone (T3 or T4)
  4. testosterone
  5. luteinizing hormone
  6. prostate specific antigen

ANSWER

 

 

14. The epididymus connects:

  1. Seminiferous tubules to rete testis
  2. rete testis to efferent ducts
  3. efferent ducts to ductus (vas) deferens
  4. vas deferens to prostatic urethra
  5. prostatic urethra to penile urethra

ANSWER

 

 

Click here to view image.
15. The layer of cells indicated:

  1. converts into granulosa lutein cells after ovulation.
  2. is derived from the theca interna
  3. is removed from the oocyte when ovulation occurs.
  4. makes contact with the oocyte via gap junctions.
  5. develops into trophoblast cells if fertilization and implantation occur.

ANSWER

 

 

Click here to see image
16. The cell indicated in the light micrograph in panel A and in the electron micrograph in panel B may secrete which of the following possible products?

  1. thyroid hormone
  2. thyroid stimulating hormone
  3. calcitonin
  4. parathyroid hormone
  5. testosterone
  6. epinephrine or norepinephrine
  7. glucocorticoids
  8. progesterone

ANSWER

 

Click on the MAC link or PC link to view slide.
17. Epinephrine is produced by cells indicated in which region?

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. NONE of the above

ANSWER

 

Questions 18-22 refer to the same slide, which may be opened by clicking on either this [MAC link] or this [PC link].

Match each term or description with the cell(s) indicated in the micrograph (arrow "A" indicates a cluster of identical cells; otherwise, all of the other arrows indicate cell nuclei). Letters may be used once, more than once or not at all. If a term applies to more than one letter, include all letters in your answer.

18. diploid cell with 2N chromosomal number (hint: there are multiple answers)

    1. A
    2. B
    3. C
    4. D
    5. E
    6. F
    7. NONE of the above

ANSWER

19. cell that secretes testosterone

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. NONE of the above

ANSWER

 

20. diploid cell with 4N chromosomal number

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. NONE of the above

ANSWER

 

21. cell that expresses FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) receptors

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. NONE of the above

ANSWER

 

 

 

 

Click on the [MAC link] or [PC link] to view slide.
22. Benign prostatic hypertrophy/hyperplasia (BPH) typically affects the tissue of which area indicated?

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D

ANSWER

 

 

Produced and supported by:
The Learning Resource Center - Office of Medical Education
 Department of Pathology, Virtual Microscopy Facility
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology

© copyright 2007 The Regents Of The University Of Michigan. All rights reserved.

Questions or comments? E-mail Dr. J. Matthew Velkey (jvelkey@med.umich.edu)