INTERNAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE TESTES

INTERNAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF
THE TESTES

Tunica Vaginalis
Outer serous membrane; has visceral and parietal layers with fluid in between.
Tunica Albuginea
Dense connective tissue; forms septa dividing the testis into lobules.
Lobules
Contain seminiferous tubules, where sperm production occurs.
Seminiferous Tubules
Site of spermatogenesis (sperm production).
Straight Tubules
Collect sperm from seminiferous tubules.
Rete Testis
Network of tubules; finalizes sperm maturation.
Efferent Ducts
Transport sperm to the epididymis.
Epididymis
Head, body, and tail store and mature sperm.
Ductus (Vas) Deferens
Transports sperm to the ejaculatory duct.
Sertoli Cells
Support sperm development and production in seminiferous tubules; release sperm
into the lumen (spermiation).
Leydig Cells
Found in interstitial tissue between tubules; produce testosterone.
Spermatogenesis
Process of transforming undifferentiated germ cells into motile sperm.
Spermatogonia → Primary Spermatocytes