EN | DE | PT Contact How to study Login Register
Pricing
Anatomy
Basics Upper Extremity Lower Extremity Trunk Wall Head & Neck Thorax Abdomen & Pelvis Neuroanatomy Cross Sections
Histology
General Systems Fetal Tissues
Medical Imaging
Head and Neck Abdomen and Pelvis Upper Extremity Lower Extremity Thorax
HistologySystemsThe male reproductive system
Browse

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

Go Premium

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

Testes

The testes or testicles are part of the male genitalia or sexual reproductive organ. It is a structure that is ovoid in shape and between four to six centimeters in length.

These bilateral though not always symmetrical anatomical structures are the site of sperm production.

Contents
  1. Histology
  2. Anatomy
    1. Structure
    2. Blood Supply & Lymphatics
  3. Cryptorchidism
  4. Related Atlas Images

Testis

Testis

Histology

The testis are retroperitoneal from the time of development, until they descend into their final adult position in the scrotum. The testicular tissue is comprised of two hundred to three hundred lobules that are separated by connective tissue septa.

Testis - histological slide

Testis - histological slide

Each lobule contains between two and three seminiferous tubules that are coiled extremely tight and are approximately one meter in length when straight. It is here that the spermatozoa and sex hormones are produced. The tubules converge in the posterior region of the testis and the collective amount of product is released into the network of the rete testis.

Seminiferous tubules - histological slide

Seminiferous tubules - histological slide

Anatomy

Structure

The testes hang in suspension attached to the spermatic cord and are covered externally by the loose, wrinkly, pigmented skin known as the scrotum.

Spermatic cord - ventral view

Spermatic cord - ventral view

Just inside the scrotum, there are three more distinguishable layers that protect the testicular tissue. The innermost layer is known as the tunica albuginea and is a tough fibrous capsule. The middle and outermost layers are actually one layer known as tunica vaginalis which is split into a visceral layer and a parietal layer. They are derived from the peritoneal outpocketing that occurs during embryonic development. The layers are separated by a serous fluid that allows testes to move in the scrotal sac.

Tunica vaginalis - histological slide

Tunica vaginalis - histological slide

A posterior deficiency is apparent for the transmission of the epididymis and the blood vessels. The visceral layer is in the middle and it is a serous layer that covers the testes, epididymis and the distal part of the spermatic cord. The innermost layer is the parietal tunica vaginalis.

Blood Supply & Lymphatics

The testicular artery is the main form of blood flow to the area and is drained through the pampiniform plexus. The lymph vessels ascend with the testicular vessels and drain into the lumbar nodes.

Testicular artery - ventral view

Testicular artery - ventral view

Cryptorchidism

Cryptorchidism is a phenomenon based on a developmental malfunction that occurs when the testes fail to descend from their embryonic position inside the abdominal cavity, into the scrotum.

Even after surgical correction, this disorder is quite severe, seeing as it has been proven to be associated with testicular atrophy, sterility and a much higher risk of developing various germ cell tumors, in particular seminoma and embryonal carcinoma.

Get me the rest of this article for free
Create your account and you'll be able to see the rest of this article, plus videos and a quiz to help you memorize the information, all for free. You'll also get access to articles, videos, and quizzes about dozens of other anatomy systems.
Create your free account ➞
Show references

References:

  • Kyung Won Chung and Harold M. Chung, Board Review Series Gross Anatomy, 6th Edition, Wolters Kluwer - Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Chapter 6 Perineum and Pelvis, IV Male Genital Organs, A. Testes, Page 439.
  • Frank H. Netter, MD, Atlas of Human Anatomy, Fifth Edition, Saunders - Elsevier, Chapter 5 Pelvis & Perineum, Subchapter 39. Testes, Epididymis and Ductus Deferens, Guide Pelvis & Perineum: Testes, Epididymis and Ductus Deferens, Testes, Page 195.
  • Arthur S. Schneider and Philip A. Szanto, Board Review Series Pathology, 1st Edition, Wolters Kluwer - Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Chapter 18, Male Reproductive System, Page 277.

Author:

  • Dr. Alexandra Sieroslawska

Illustrators:         

  • Testis - Begoña Rodriguez
  • Testis - histological slide - Smart In Media
  • Seminiferous tubules - histological slide - Smart In Media
  • Spermatic cord - ventral view - Hannah Ely
  • Tunica vaginalis - histological slide - Smart In Media
  • Testicular artery - ventral view - Hannah Ely
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Related Atlas Images

Testis

{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Testis; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Tunica albuginea of testis (Tunica albuginea testis); Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Tunica vasculosa; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Rete testis; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Connective tissue septa; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Basement membrane (Lamina basalis); Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Mediastinum of the testis; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Collagen fibers; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Testicular artery (Arteria testicularis); Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Leydig cells; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Myoid cells; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Straight seminiferous tubules (Tubuli seminiferi recti); Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Seminiferous tubules; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Seminiferous epithelium; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Sertoli cells; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Lobule of the testis; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Primary spermatocytes; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Spermatozoa; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Spermatids; Image:
{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Spermatogonia; Image:

Endocrine system

{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Endocrine system
ventral view
Ovary (Ovarium); Image: Begoña Rodriguez
ventral view
Pancreas; Image: Begoña Rodriguez
ventral view
Pineal gland (Glandula pinealis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez
ventral view
Pituitary gland (Glandula pituitaria); Image: Begoña Rodriguez
ventral view
Thymus; Image: Begoña Rodriguez
ventral view
Thyroid gland (Glandula thyroidea); Image: Begoña Rodriguez
ventral view
Testis; Image: Begoña Rodriguez
ventral view
Adrenal gland (Glandula suprarenalis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez

Adductor brevis muscle level

{:ventral=>"ventral view", :medial=>"medial view", :"lateral-right"=>"right lateral view", :"lateral-left"=>"left lateral view", :dorsal=>"dorsal view", :cranial=>"cranial view", :caudal=>"caudal view", :axial=>"axial view", :coronal=>"coronal view", :sagittal=>"sagittal view"}
Adductor brevis muscle level
axial view
Adductor brevis muscle (Musculus adductor brevis); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Adductor longus muscle (Musculus adductor longus); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Long head of biceps femoris muscle (Caput longum musculi bicipitis femoris); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Adductor magnus muscle (Musculus adductor magnus); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Cavernous body of penis (Corpus cavernosum penis); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Deep femoral vein (Vena profunda femoris); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Femoral artery (Arteria femoralis); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Femoral vein (Vena femoralis); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Femoral nerve (Nervus femoralis); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Femur (Os femoris); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Gluteus maximus muscle (Musculus gluteus maximus); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Gracilis muscle (Musculus gracilis); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Great saphenous vein (Vena saphena magna); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Rectus femoris muscle (Musculus rectus femoris); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Sartorius muscle (Musculus sartorius); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Sciatic nerve (Nervus ischiadicus); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Semitendinosus muscle (Musculus semitendinosus); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Spongious body of penis (Corpus spongiosum penis); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Testis; Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Vastus intermedius muscle (Musculus vastus intermedius); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Vastus lateralis muscle (Musculus vastus lateralis); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Vastus medialis muscle (Musculus vastus medialis); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Iliotibial tract (Tractus iliotibialis); Image: National Library of Medicine
axial view
Biceps femoris muscle (Musculus biceps femoris); Image: National Library of Medicine

Continue your learning

Article (You are here)
Testes
Testes
This is an article covering the anatomy, histology and clinical aspects related to the testes. Learn all about this topic at Kenhub now!
Other articles
Neurovascular Supply of the Testes
Neurovascular Supply of the Testes
This is an article covering the blood supply, innervation and lymphatics of the testes. Learn the neurovasculature of the testicles now at Kenhub!
Male Reproductive System
Male Reproductive System
This is an article covering the anatomy, blood supply, innervation and clinical anatomy of the male reproductive system. Learn this topic now at Kenhub.
Gametogenesis
Gametogenesis
This article describes the histology of gametogenesis, its processes, steps, hormones, and clinical aspects. Click now to learn more at Kenhub!
Quiz to build your knowledge (Recommended next)
Testis
Testis
Microscopic structure of the testis.
Look up structures in the atlas
Testis
Testis
Microscopic structure of the testis.
Well done!

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

Create your free account.
Start learning anatomy in less than 60 seconds.
Register now ➞ No, thanks