Testes and Scrotum

Testes

• Densely packed seminiferous tubules separated by thin, fibrous septa

• Seminiferous tubules join to form rete testis , which converge posteriorly into efferent ductules

  • Penetrate posterior tunica albuginea at mediastinum to form head of epididymis

  • May become dilated, but tubular appearance and location should differentiate from mass

• Tunica albuginea forms thick, fibrous capsule around testis

• Mediastinum testis is thickened area of tunica albuginea where ducts, nerves, and vessels enter and exit testis

• Testicular descent : Testis develop in retroperitoneum and descend through inguinal canal to scrotum

  • Failure of descent results in cryptorchidism

• Tunica vaginalis : Mesothelial-lined sac around anterior and lateral sides of testis formed during descent

  • Fluid ( hydrocele ) may accumulate between parietal and visceral layers (hydrocele)

• Appendix testis : Embryologic remnant, which forms small, nodular protuberance from surface of testis