Testis
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Understand the histological structure of the testis.
- Identify its parts under the microscope.
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The testes (sing. testis) are the male gonads. They reside within connective tissue layers known as the tunica albuginea and tunica vaginalis which are further enveloped by the layers of the spermatic cord.
Each testis is composed of pyramid shaped lobules (about 250) separated by septae of connective tissue that extend inward from the tunica albuginea. These lobules contain one to four convoluted seminiferous tubules, where sperm production (spermatogenesis) occurs. Supporting cells within the testes secrete hormones, primarily androgens such as testosterone.
Sustentacular (Sertoli) cells are large columnar somatic cells that span from the basement membrane to the lumen of the seminiferous tubules and have a supporting function and aid in the process of spermatogenesis.
The following video will go into more detail about the structure and histological appearance of the testis.
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Ready to review all these structures in further detail? Browse our image gallery below:
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/testis-2/1WFC0ShjrxI4T8yIEJmxOw_Testis.png "Testis; Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/visceral-layer-of-tunica-vaginalis-testis-1/bcm5n78t0kv4M18TSHw_Visceral_layer_of_tunica_vaginalis.png "Visceral layer of tunica vaginalis of testis (Lamina visceralis tunicae vaginalis testis); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tunica-albuginea-4/tWByHHOtSoPoumAX6IfEw_Tunica_albuginea.png "Tunica albuginea of testis (Tunica albuginea testis); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/collagen-fibers/IAwqkOaWQh22U7elYIqBQ_Collagen_Fibers.png "Collagen fibers (Fibrae collageni); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tunica-vasculosa/Z8fmFdmwMyfUyTm97cllg_Tunica_vasculosa.png "Tunica vasculosa; Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/mediastinum-of-the-testis/0Q6oB5IyK8nN8rMQ1swMg_Mediastinum_of_the_testis.png "Mediastinum testis; Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/rete-testis/BSBxflQIvXQNu1BCakqZuQ_Rete_testis.png "Rete testis; Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/straight-tubule/fdm75OuYo9Ehu6jCRXsRg_Straight_seminiferous_tubule.png "Straight seminiferous tubule (Tubulus seminifer rectus); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/connective-tissue-septa-7/fd4596h6tKNeypBnJHmelA_Connective_tissue_septa.png "Connective tissue septum (Septum textus connectivi); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/lobule-of-the-testis/4ghadE4ImFLwb62NR6lfhw_Lobule_of_the_testis.png "Lobule of testis (Lobulus testis); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/intertubular-connective-tissue/IjPAes5kZJS1itzGbIsAxg_intertubular_connective_tissue.png "Intertubular connective tissue (Textus connectivus intertubularis); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/leydig-cells/4lzIJvk4a7s2oY5yFR2WBA_Leydig_cells.png "Interstitial endocrine cell (of Leydig) (Endocrinocytus interstitialis); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/fibroblast/70hTkQL0qefLtPux5fCEEg_Fibroblast.png "Fibroblast (Fibroblastus); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/testicular-artery-2/CNKcJyYdesd1Gi8c4ftcA_Testicular_artery.png "Testicular artery (Arteria testicularis); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/seminiferous-tubules/arp0aNrZOfFYu5PgGVu6Q_Seminiferous_tubules_1.png "Convoluted seminiferous tubule (Tubulus seminifer contortus); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/basement-membrane-8/xkS4oMtNI9SURqFoje0w_Basement_membrane.png "Basement membrane (Membrana basalis); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/myoid-cells/gQAY7bhTKspCJlAAnRkMg_Myoid_cells.png "Peritubular myoid cell (Cellula myoidea peritubularis); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/sertoli-cells/W4CZ52ahtZbpyjzEIVUFPw_Sertoli_cell.png "Sustentocyte (Sustentocytus); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/seminiferous-epithelium/Sk1g5w5mFXtrBfGcZwN2A_Spermatogenic_epithelium.png "Spermatogenic epithelium (Epithelium spermatogenicum); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/spermatogonium/GG72CLnUVYTYhyqc6ytUAw_Spermatogonium.png "Spermatogonia; Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/primary-spermatocytes/xFS4mLLTtUtUCB2ERajKQ_Primary_and_secondary_spermatocytes.png "Primary and secondary spermatocytes (Spermatocyti primarii et secundii); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/spermatids/hoEICWB1uY7pXWFCmRMWzg_Spermatids.png "Spermatids (Spermatidia); Image:"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/spermatozoa/ETaf7I7LJfB7LcNTWaulUA_Spermatozoa.png "Spermatozoa; Image:"){kind=logo}
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