Testes and Epididymis

Question 1

What is the role of the testes?

Answer 1

sperm production and hormone synthesis

Question 2

What is the role of the epididymis?

Answer 2

involved in storage of sperm

Question 3

Where is the epididymis situated?

Answer 3

on the posterolateral aspect of each testicle

Question 4

which testicle commonly lies lower?

Answer 4

the left

Question 5

What is the spermatic cord?

Answer 5

a collection of nerves, vessels and ducts that supply the testes, and suspend them from the abdomen

Question 6

Describe embryonic origin of the testes

Answer 6

Originally, the testes are located on the posterior abdominal wall. During embryonic development they descend down the abdomen, and through the inguinal canal to reach the scrotum. They carry their neurovascular and lymphatic supply with them.

Question 7

Briefly describe internal structure of testes

Answer 7

They consist of a series of lobules, each containing seminiferous tubules supported by interstitial tissue.

Question 8

Which cells line the seminiferous tubules, and aid in the maturation process of the spermatozoa?

Answer 8

Sertoli cells

Question 9

Which cells are found in the interstitial tissue, and are responsible for testosterone production?

Answer 9

Leydig cells

Question 10

Where is sperm produced?

Answer 10

In the seminiferous tubules

Question 11

Sperm travels through the tubules and collects in the ____

Answer 11

rete testes

Question 12

From the rete testes, efferent tubules carry sperm to the _____

Answer 12

epididymis

Question 13

What is tunica vaginalis?

Answer 13

a closed sac of parietal peritoneal origin that creates a thin sac containing a small amount of viscous fluid. This sac covers the anterior surface and sides of each testicle and works much like the peritoneal sac, lubricating the surfaces of the testes and allowing for friction-free movement.

Question 14

Beneath the tunica vaginalis is the tunica ______, a fibrous capsule that encloses the testes. It penetrates into the parenchyma of each testicle with diaphragms, dividing it into lobules.

Answer 14

tunica albuginea

Question 15

Describe the structure of the epididymis

Answer 15

a single heavily coiled duct

Question 16

What are the three parts of the epididymis?

Answer 16

head, body and tail

Question 17

describe the head of the epididymis

Answer 17

The most proximal part of the epididymis. It is formed by the efferent tubules of the testes, which transport sperm from the testes to the epididymis.

Question 18

describe the body of the epididymis

Answer 18

the heavily coiled duct

Question 19

describe the tail of the epididymis

Answer 19

The most distal part of the epididymis. It marks the origin of the vas deferens, which transports sperm to the prostatic portion of the urethra for ejaculation.

Question 20

where does the innervation of the testes and epididymis come from?

Answer 20

testicular plexus

Question 21

which artery supplies the testes and epididymis?

Answer 21

paired testicular arteries (from abdominal aorta)

Question 22

the paired testicular arteries travel through the ______ in the spermatic cord

Answer 22

inguinal canal

Question 23

which arteries supply only the testes?

Answer 23

cremasteric artery (from the inferior epigastric artery) and the artery of the vas deferens (from the inferior vesical artery). These branches give anastomoses to the main testicular artery.

Question 24

Venous drainage is via the paired testicular veins, formed from the _________in the scrotum, that wraps around the testicular artery

Answer 24

pampiniform plexus

Question 25

which vein does the left testicular vein drain into?

Answer 25

left renal vein

Question 26

which vein does the right testicular vein drain into?

Answer 26

inferior vena cava

Question 27

describe the lymphatic drainage of the testes

Answer 27

Since the testes are originally retroperitoneal organs, the lymphatic drainage is to the lumbar and para-aortic nodes, along the lumbar vertebrae.