Question

Write briefly about the Testis.

Answer 1

The testis is externally covered by a collagenous connective tissue layer called the tunica albuginea. Outer to it is an incomplete peritoneal covering called tunica vaginalis, and inner to it is tunica vasculosa, a thin membranous and vascular layer. Fibers from tunica albuginea divide each testis into about 200-300 testicular lobules. Each with 1-4 highly coiled seminiferous tubules. Each seminiferous tubule is internally lined by cuboidal germinal epithelial cells (spermatogonia) and few large pyramidal cells called Sertoli or sustentacular cells. The germinal epithelial cells undergo gametogenesis to form spermatozoa. Sertoli cells provide nutrition to the developing sperms. Various stages of spermatogenesis can be seen in the seminiferous tubules. The inner most spermatogonial cell (2n), primary spermatocyte (2n), secondary spermatocyte (n), spermatids (n) and sperms (n). The Interstitial or Leydig’s cells lie in between the seminiferous tubules. They secrete the male hormone androgen or testosterone.