Canadian Medical Guide > Anatomy > Urogenital System > Genitalia > Genitalia, Male > Testis Terms and Definitions

Testis

Medical Definition:	The male gonad containing two functional parts: the SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES for the production and transport of male germ cells (SPERMATOGENESIS) and the interstitial compartment containing LEYDIG CELLS that produce ANDROGENS.
Guide Notes:	torsion = SPERMATIC CORD TORSION; inflammation = ORCHITIS; /abnorm: agenesis or dysgenesis: coord TESTIS /abnorm (IM) with GONADAL DYSGENESIS (IM); /cytol: consider also LEYDIG CELLS; /surg is probably ORCHIECTOMY; excision = ORCHIECTOMY

Testis Categories.

	Epididymis - The convoluted cordlike structure attached to the posterior of the testis. Epididymis consists of the head (caput), the body (corpus), and the tail (cauda). A network of ducts leaving the testis joins into a common epididymal tubule proper which provides the transport, storage, and maturation of SPERMATOZOA.
	Leydig Cells - Steroid-producing cells in the interstitial tissue of the TESTIS. They are under the regulation of PITUITARY HORMONE, LUTEINIZING HORMONE or interstitial cell-stimulating hormone. TESTOSTERONE is the major androgen (ANDROGENS) produced.
	Rete Testis - The network of channels formed at the termination of the straight SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES in the mediastinum testis. Rete testis channels drain into the efferent ductules that pass into the caput EPIDIDYMIS.
	Seminiferous Tubules - The convoluted tubules in the TESTIS where sperm are produced (SPERMATOGENESIS) and conveyed to the RETE TESTIS. Spermatogenic tubules are composed of developing germ cells and the supporting SERTOLI CELLS.
	Sertoli Cells - Supporting cells projecting inward from the basement membrane of SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES. They surround and nourish the developing male germ cells and secrete ANDROGEN-BINDING PROTEIN. Their tight junctions with the SPERMATOGONIA and SPERMATOCYTES provide a BLOOD-TESTIS BARRIER.

Testis Medical Definitions and Terms

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