The testes and epididymis

Question 1

On what aspect of the testis is the epididymis situated

Answer 1

posterolateral

Question 2

What do the lobules of the testes contain

Answer 2

seminiferous tubules

Question 3

What cells are found in the seminiferous tubules

Answer 3

Sertoli cells

Question 4

What is the role of Sertoli cells

Answer 4

aid the maturation process of the spermatozo

Question 5

What are the name of the cells that produce testosterone and where are they found

Answer 5

Leydig cells

In the interstitial tissue

Question 6

Where are the spermatozoa produced

Answer 6

seminiferous tubules

Question 7

After traveling through the tubules where are the developing sperm collected

Answer 7

the rete testes

Question 8

what is the name of the ducts that transport the sperm from the rete testes to the epididymis

Answer 8

efferent tubules

Question 9

What is the function of the epididymis

Answer 9

storage and maturation of sperm

Question 10

What sac covers the testes

Answer 10

The tunica vaginalis

Question 11

What tissue protects the testicular parenchyma. (It penetrates into the parenchyma of each testicle with diaphragms and divides it into lobes.

Answer 11

tunic albuginea

Question 12

What are the 3 parts of the epididymis

Answer 12

Head – 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.
Body – Formed by the heavily coiled duct of the epididymis.
Tail – 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 13

What is the innervation if the testes

Answer 13

testicular plexus

Question 14

what is the arterial supply of the testes

Answer 14

testicular arteries which arise from the abdominal aorta

also by branches of the cremasteric artery (from the epigastric artery)

and the artery of the vas deferens (from the inferior vesicle artery)

(these branches give anastomoses to the main testicular artery)

Question 15

Causes of scrotal sac swelling

Answer 15

Inguinal hernia – where the contents of the abdominal cavity protrude into the scrotum, via the inguinal canal.
Hydrocoele – a collection of serous fluid within the tunica vaginalis. The congenital form is most commonly due to a failure of the processus vaginalis to close. Adult hydrocele is often associated with inflammation or trauma and rarely, testicular tumors.
Haematocoele – a collection of blood in the tunica vaginalis. It can be distinguished from a hydrocoele by transillumination (where a light is applied to the testicular swelling). Due to the dense nature of blood, light is unable to pass through.
Varicocoele – gross dilation of the veins draining the testes. The left testicle is more commonly affected, as the left testicular vein is longer and drains into the left renal vein at a perpendicular angle.
A large varicocoele can look and feel like a “bag of worms” within the scrotum (Figure 4).
Varicocoele is quite common in the general population; its prevalence is estimated at 15-25%.
However this congenital situation should not be considered a disease – sperm quality is affected in only a small proportion of patients
Epididymitis – inflammation of the epididymis, usually caused by bacterial or viral infection