Testes

Testes

descend by following gubernaculum

• if the testes don’t descend = cryptorchidism

• should descend by one year

Scrotum

a pouch of skin

• sperm production is inhibited by core Tb

• scrotum is cooler

Cremaster muscle

skeletal muscle which tenses the scrotum and brings testis closer to the body temperature regulation (called a cremaster reflex)

Tunica albuginea

• dense fibrous cover, extends into septa and divides the testis into lobules

Tunica vaginalis

• covers tunica albuginea (forms parietal and visceral layer)

• serous membranes reduce friction between surfaces

Seminiferous tubules

meiosis (spermatogenesis)

• drain into a maze of passageways called the rete testis

When does spermatogenesis begin?

at puberty due to interaction of hypothalamus, pituitary (FSH) and interstitial cells

Interstitial cells

• are in between seminiferous tubules

• do not produce sperm

• produce testosterone

Epididymis

efferent ductules join rete testis to epididymis

• 23 feet long

• lining is simple columnar epithelium with long cilia

Sperm maturation

sperm cells from the seminiferous tubules do not actively swim

• attain functional maturity during 2 weeks spent in the epididymis

Ductus (vas) deferens

for the rapid transformation of sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct

Spermatic cord

column of fascia, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, connective tissue, and ducts that descends with the testes

Ductus deferens

ascends through the inguinal canal

• weakness here may cause hernia

The Vasectomy Procedure

1. needle positioned to isolate vas from surrounding tissue

2. vas clamped, segment removed, and remaining ends tied

3. scrotum elevated to permit tied ends of vas to retract into original position

Penis

allows for sexual intercourse and contains a portion of the male urethra, 3 columns of erectile tissue

Corpora cavernosa

two columns of erectile tissue

Corpus spongiosum

a single column of erectile tissue that surrounds the penile urethra

• glans penis at the tip