Mediastinum testis

Mediastinum testis

A diagram of the major components of an adult human testicle, including the following numbered items: 1. Tunica albuginea, 2. Septula testis, 3. Lobulus testis, 4. Mediastinum testis, 5. Tubuli seminiferi contorti, 6. Tubuli seminiferi recti, 7. Rete testis, 8. Ductuli efferentes testis, 9a. Head of epididymis, 9b. Body of epididymis, 9.c Tail of epididymis,10. Vas deferens, 11a. Tunica vaginalis (parietal lamina), 11b. Tunica vaginalis (visceral lamina), and 12. Cavity of tunica vaginalis.

Section of a testicle of a steer, blood vessels injected with red gelatine. 1 parenchyma, 2 mediastinum testis, 3 tunica albuginea, 4 tail of epididymis, 5 head of epididymis, 6 spermatic cord with convoluted testicular artery
Identifiers
Gray's p.1243
Dorlands
/Elsevier		 m_06/12519000
Anatomical terminology

The mediastinum testis is a network of fibrous connective tissue that extends from the upper to near the lower extremity of the testis, and is wider above than below.

Numerous imperfect septa (trabeculæ) are given off from its front and sides, which radiate toward the surface of the organ and are attached to the tunica albuginea.

They divide the interior of the organ into a number of incomplete spaces, called lobules. These are somewhat cone-shaped, being broad at their bases at the surface of the gland, and becoming narrower as they converge to the mediastinum.

The mediastinum supports the rete testis and blood vessels of the testis in their passage to and from the substance of the gland.

Additional images

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

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