Anatomy of male reproductive system MCQs With Answer

by

Anatomy of male reproductive system MCQs With Answer is an essential study resource for B.Pharm students preparing for pharmacology, physiology and clinical pharmacy exams. This focused guide covers detailed topics such as testes structure, spermatogenesis, accessory glands, penile anatomy, blood supply, innervation, hormonal regulation, embryologic descent and common pathologies. Emphasis on microanatomy (Sertoli and Leydig cells), seminal fluid composition, prostate zones, and pharmacologic implications helps link anatomy with drug action and patient care. Clear, exam-oriented multiple-choice questions with answers improve retention and application of core concepts. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which structure is the primary site of sperm production in the male reproductive system?

  • Rete testis
  • Seminiferous tubules
  • Efferent ductules
  • Epididymal tail

Correct Answer: Seminiferous tubules

Q2. Which cell type in the testes produces testosterone in response to LH?

  • Sertoli cells
  • Germ cells
  • Peritubular myoid cells
  • Leydig cells

Correct Answer: Leydig cells

Q3. Which hormone primarily stimulates Sertoli cells to support spermatogenesis?

  • Luteinizing hormone (LH)
  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • Prolactin
  • Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Correct Answer: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Q4. The blood-testis barrier is formed mainly by which junctional complexes between Sertoli cells?

  • Desmosomes
  • Tight (occluding) junctions
  • Gap junctions
  • Hemidesmosomes

Correct Answer: Tight (occluding) junctions

Q5. Which part of the epididymis is primarily responsible for sperm storage and acquisition of motility?

  • Head (caput)
  • Body (corpus)
  • Tail (cauda)
  • Efferent ductules

Correct Answer: Tail (cauda)

Q6. The vas deferens transports sperm from the epididymis to which structure?

  • Urethral meatus
  • Seminal vesicle
  • Ejaculatory duct
  • Bulbourethral gland

Correct Answer: Ejaculatory duct

Q7. Which accessory gland secretes fructose-rich fluid that provides energy for sperm?

  • Prostate gland
  • Bulbourethral gland
  • Seminal vesicle
  • Skene’s glands

Correct Answer: Seminal vesicle

Q8. Which anatomical zone of the prostate is most commonly affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

  • Peripheral zone
  • Central zone
  • Transitional zone
  • Anterior fibromuscular stroma

Correct Answer: Transitional zone

Q9. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is produced mainly by which prostate tissue component?

  • Prostatic stroma
  • Prostatic epithelial cells
  • Prostatic smooth muscle
  • Periprostatic fat

Correct Answer: Prostatic epithelial cells

Q10. The tunica albuginea of the penis surrounds which erectile tissue?

  • Corpus cavernosum only
  • Corpus spongiosum only
  • Both corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum equally
  • Corpora cavernosa and loosely covers corpus spongiosum

Correct Answer: Corpora cavernosa and loosely covers corpus spongiosum

Q11. Which neural pathway mediates penile erection by causing arterial dilation and increased blood flow?

  • Sympathetic via hypogastric plexus
  • Somatic via pudendal nerve
  • Parasympathetic via pelvic splanchnic nerves
  • Dorsal nerve of the penis exclusively

Correct Answer: Parasympathetic via pelvic splanchnic nerves

Q12. Nitric oxide in erectile tissue primarily acts by increasing levels of which second messenger?

  • Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
  • Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)
  • Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)
  • Inositol trisphosphate (IP3)

Correct Answer: Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)

Q13. Which structure forms the ejaculatory duct?

  • Union of vas deferens and prostatic urethra
  • Union of vas deferens and seminal vesicle duct
  • Union of seminal vesicle duct and urethra
  • Union of bulbourethral duct and vas deferens

Correct Answer: Union of vas deferens and seminal vesicle duct

Q14. Which part of the male urethra passes through the prostate?

  • Penile (spongy) urethra
  • Membranous urethra
  • Prostatic urethra
  • External urethral meatus

Correct Answer: Prostatic urethra

Q15. The pampiniform plexus plays a role in temperature regulation of the testes primarily by:

  • Increasing blood flow to testes
  • Arterial spin regulation
  • Countercurrent heat exchange between veins and testicular artery
  • Shunting lymph away from testes

Correct Answer: Countercurrent heat exchange between veins and testicular artery

Q16. Which artery supplies the testes directly, originating from the abdominal aorta?

  • External pudendal artery
  • Testicular (internal spermatic) artery
  • Inferior vesical artery
  • Internal pudendal artery

Correct Answer: Testicular (internal spermatic) artery

Q17. Lymphatic drainage of the testes primarily goes to which group of lymph nodes?

  • Superficial inguinal lymph nodes
  • Internal iliac lymph nodes
  • Para-aortic (lumbar) lymph nodes
  • External iliac lymph nodes

Correct Answer: Para-aortic (lumbar) lymph nodes

Q18. Which embryologic structure guides testicular descent into the scrotum?

  • Processus vaginalis
  • Spermatic cord
  • Gubernaculum
  • Mesonephric duct

Correct Answer: Gubernaculum

Q19. Persistence of processus vaginalis can predispose to which condition?

  • Hydrocele and indirect inguinal hernia
  • Direct inguinal hernia only
  • Varicocele only
  • Testicular torsion

Correct Answer: Hydrocele and indirect inguinal hernia

Q20. Spermatogenesis occurs under influence of which two major hormones?

  • TSH and prolactin
  • LH and FSH
  • ACTH and cortisol
  • Estrogen and progesterone

Correct Answer: LH and FSH

Q21. During spermatogenesis, primary spermatocytes undergo which division to form secondary spermatocytes?

  • Mitosis
  • Meiosis I
  • Meiosis II
  • Apoptosis

Correct Answer: Meiosis I

Q22. Which cell provides nutritional and structural support to developing germ cells and forms the blood-testis barrier?

  • Interstitial (Leydig) cell
  • Sertoli cell
  • Basal lamina cell
  • Peritubular myoid cell

Correct Answer: Sertoli cell

Q23. Which clinical condition is characterized by dilation of the pampiniform plexus and is a common cause of male infertility?

  • Hydrocele
  • Varicocele
  • Testicular torsion
  • Epidiymoorchitis

Correct Answer: Varicocele

Q24. Which enzymatic test in seminal fluid primarily reflects prostate function?

  • Acid phosphatase
  • Alkaline phosphatase
  • Amylase

Correct Answer: Acid phosphatase

Q25. The majority of semen volume is contributed by which gland?

  • Testes
  • Seminal vesicles
  • Prostate gland
  • Bulbourethral glands

Correct Answer: Seminal vesicles

Q26. Which of the following is a primary function of Sertoli cells?

  • Secrete testosterone into circulation
  • Phagocytose residual bodies during spermiogenesis
  • Synthesize estrogen for bone health
  • Produce seminal fluid fructose

Correct Answer: Phagocytose residual bodies during spermiogenesis

Q27. What is the effect of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors on male reproductive anatomy/physiology?

  • Increase spermatogenesis
  • Block conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
  • Stimulate Leydig cell proliferation
  • Enhance prostate smooth muscle contraction

Correct Answer: Block conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

Q28. Which zone of the prostate is most commonly the site of prostate carcinoma?

  • Transitional zone
  • Central zone
  • Peripheral zone
  • Anteromedial zone

Correct Answer: Peripheral zone

Q29. Cryptorchidism refers to which condition?

  • Twisting of the spermatic cord
  • Absence of vas deferens
  • Undescended testis
  • Inflammation of epididymis

Correct Answer: Undescended testis

Q30. Testicular torsion results in ischemia mainly by twisting which structure?

  • Vas deferens
  • Pampiniform plexus and testicular vessels within spermatic cord
  • Seminal vesicle duct
  • Prostatic venous plexus

Correct Answer: Pampiniform plexus and testicular vessels within spermatic cord

Q31. Which pharmacologic class is used to facilitate urine flow in BPH by relaxing prostatic smooth muscle?

  • 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors
  • Alpha-1 adrenergic blockers
  • Beta blockers
  • Ace inhibitors

Correct Answer: Alpha-1 adrenergic blockers

Q32. Which structural layer immediately surrounds each seminiferous tubule?

  • Tunica albuginea
  • Basement membrane with peritubular myoid cells
  • Rete epithelium
  • Visceral tunica vaginalis

Correct Answer: Basement membrane with peritubular myoid cells

Q33. Which sperm structural component contains mitochondria to power motility?

  • Head
  • Midpiece
  • Principal piece of tail
  • Acrosome

Correct Answer: Midpiece

Q34. Capacitation of sperm occurs in which location?

  • Within seminiferous tubules
  • Epididymis only
  • Female reproductive tract (e.g., uterus and fallopian tubes)
  • Seminal vesicles

Correct Answer: Female reproductive tract (e.g., uterus and fallopian tubes)

Q35. The acrosome reaction facilitates fertilization by releasing enzymes that digest which structure?

  • Zona pellucida of the oocyte
  • Cumulus oophorus only
  • Zona pellucida of sperm
  • Corona radiata of the sperm

Correct Answer: Zona pellucida of the oocyte

Q36. Which protein secreted by Sertoli cells binds testosterone and concentrates it within seminiferous tubules?

  • Inhibin
  • Androgen-binding protein (ABP)
  • Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
  • Albumin

Correct Answer: Androgen-binding protein (ABP)

Q37. Inhibin B, produced by Sertoli cells, primarily acts to inhibit secretion of which hormone?

  • Luteinizing hormone (LH)
  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
  • Prolactin

Correct Answer: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Q38. Which of the following is a common laboratory marker elevated in bacterial prostatitis?

  • Serum testosterone
  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) transiently
  • Seminal fructose
  • Serum LH

Correct Answer: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) transiently

Q39. Which drug class used for erectile dysfunction acts by inhibiting phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5)?

  • Alpha blockers
  • 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors
  • PDE5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil)
  • Beta agonists

Correct Answer: PDE5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil)

Q40. Which structure secretes a pre-ejaculate alkaline mucus that lubricates the urethra?

  • Prostate
  • Seminal vesicle
  • Bulbourethral (Cowper) gland
  • Skene’s gland

Correct Answer: Bulbourethral (Cowper) gland

Q41. Which developmental duct gives rise to the male reproductive tract including epididymis and vas deferens?

  • Mullerian (paramesonephric) duct
  • Mesonephric (Wolffian) duct

Correct Answer: Mesonephric (Wolffian) duct

Q42. Which nucleus of the hypothalamus secretes GnRH that regulates testicular function?

  • Supraoptic nucleus
  • Paraventricular nucleus
  • Arcuate (infundibular) nucleus
  • Mammillary body

Correct Answer: Arcuate (infundibular) nucleus

Q43. Exposure to high temperature can impair spermatogenesis by affecting which process first?

  • Leydig cell testosterone production
  • Sertoli cell function and germ cell maturation
  • Prostatic secretions
  • Seminal vesicle fructose synthesis

Correct Answer: Sertoli cell function and germ cell maturation

Q44. Azoospermia refers to which clinical finding?

  • High seminal fructose
  • No sperm in ejaculate
  • Low semen volume only
  • Reduced sperm motility only

Correct Answer: No sperm in ejaculate

Q45. Which histological feature characterizes the epididymal epithelium important for sperm maturation?

  • Simple squamous epithelium
  • Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia
  • Stratified squamous epithelium
  • Transitional epithelium

Correct Answer: Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia

Q46. Which medication used in prostate cancer therapy acts as an androgen receptor antagonist?

  • Finasteride
  • Flutamide
  • Sildenafil
  • Tamsulosin

Correct Answer: Flutamide

Q47. What is the histologic origin of the acrosome on the sperm head?

  • Golgi apparatus of spermatid
  • Mitochondrial derivative
  • Endoplasmic reticulum of Sertoli cell
  • Nuclear envelope of spermatogonia

Correct Answer: Golgi apparatus of spermatid

Q48. Which of the following is a direct effect of exogenous testosterone therapy on testicular anatomy/function?

  • Increase in intratesticular testosterone and spermatogenesis
  • Suppression of LH/FSH and reduced spermatogenesis
  • Enlargement of epididymis with increased sperm output
  • Activation of Sertoli cell proliferative capacity

Correct Answer: Suppression of LH/FSH and reduced spermatogenesis

Q49. The rete testis is located in which region of the testis?

  • Within the tunica albuginea
  • In the mediastinum testis connecting seminiferous tubules to efferent ductules
  • Between epididymal head and tail
  • Within the spermatic cord

Correct Answer: In the mediastinum testis connecting seminiferous tubules to efferent ductules

Q50. Which clinical sign suggests acute epididymo-orchitis rather than testicular torsion in an adult?

  • Sudden severe pain with absent cremasteric reflex
  • Gradual onset pain with fever and urinary symptoms
  • High-riding testis with transverse lie
  • Absent blood flow on Doppler ultrasound

Correct Answer: Gradual onset pain with fever and urinary symptoms

Leave a Comment