lab 15: testes and epididymis

spermatic cord

• consists of ductus deferens, arteries, veins, nerves, and lymphatic vessels

• pathway betw. scrotum and pelvic cavity

seminiferous tubule

• highly coiled tubule

• one per lobule

• sperm are produced in walls of tubule and then released into tubule lumen

septum

• fibrous septa subdivide testis into lobules

  • formed by infolding of tunica albuginea

lobule

• subdivisions of testis

  • each contains a seminiferous tubule

tunica albuginea

• tough fibrous capsule around each testis

• whitish in color

tunica vaginalis

• sheath of serous membrane

• encases testis and epidiymis

• derived from peritoneum

  • has 2 layers

tail of epididymus

begins near inferior border of testis, where number of coils decreases

body of epididymis

begins distal to last efferent ductile and passes inferiorly along posterior margin of testis to the tail

rete testis

• network of tubules

• collect sperm from seminiferous tubules

  • transport sperm to efferent ductules

efferent ductule

transport sperm from rete testis to epididymis

head of epididymis

portion of epididymis proximal to the testis