Scrotum

Relation of scrotum and testes

Testes lie within the scrotum by tunica darto

What is tunica darto?

Thin layer of smooth muscle that extends as septum dividing scrotum into left and right 

What is the scrotum?

Pouch of skin that is between the groin and perineum

What does the scrotum contain?

Sweat and sebaceous glands

What divides the scrotum into left and right?

Median groove 

What is the function of scrotum?

For protection and thermoregulation

What are the layers of the scrotum?

• Tunica dartos 

• Tunica vaginalis 

• Tunica albuginea 

Tunica Vaginalis

• What 

• Function 

• Continuation of 

• Visceral part attaches to

• Parietal part attaches to

• Cavity contains

What: Peritoneal process

Function: Envelope the testes

Continuation from: Invagination of the abdominal lining through inguinal ring

Visceral part attaches to: Testes

Parietal part attaches to: Tunica daros or scrotum

Cavity contains: Serous fluid 

Tunica Albuginea

• Location 

• Forming

• Has

Location: Invaginate into parenchyma 

Forming: A septa converge at the mediastinum

Has:

• Capsule (aka tunica vasculosa)

• Blood vessels

Testes also suspended by

Spermatic cord that attaches to epididymis

General Structure

• What is the parenchyma like 

• What is the mediastinum testis 

  • Location

  • Contains

• What are the main components of interstitial compartment 

• What do Leydig cells produce

What is the parenchyma like: Soft, brownish tissue that forms main body of testis

What is the mediastinum testis:

• Location: Connective tissue structure located at the center

• Contains: Rete testis and blood vessels

What are the main components of interstitial compartment: Leydig cells, blood vessels and lymph vessels

What do Leydig cells produce: Androgens and testosterone 

Seminiferous Tubules

• Main components 

• Function of Sertoli cells 

• What are the two compartments 

Main components:

• Basement membrane 

• Sertoli cells 

• Spermatogenic cells

Function of Sertoli cells: Nourish germ cells and produce hormones and growth factors

What are the two compartments:

• Basal compartment (before tight junction, compose mainly spermatogonia) 

• Abluminal compartment (after tight junction, consist of differeniating germ cells

Blood Testis Barrier

• What forms it 

• Function

Formed by: Tight junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells 

Function: Prevent haploid post meiotic germ cells from immune attach

How does seminiferous tubule connect to epididymis?

• Seminiferous tubules →

• Straight tubules →

• Rete testis (in the mediastinum) →

• Efferent ducts →

• Epididymis

What happens to seminiferous tubules as they approach the mediastinum?

Become straightened and form rete testis

What do rete testis continue as

Efferent ducts that enter the epididymis

Label 1-6

1. Tunica albuginea

2. Mediastinum

3. Seminiferous tubules

4. Straight tubules

5. Rete testis

6. Ductus efferent