The mediastinum testis is a network of fibrous
connective tissue
Connective tissue is one of the four primary types of animal tissue, along with epithelial tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue. It develops from the mesenchyme derived from the mesoderm the middle embryonic germ layer. Connective tiss ...
that extends from the top to near the bottom of each
testis
A testicle or testis (plural testes) is the male reproductive gland or gonad in all bilaterians, including humans. It is homologous to the female ovary. The functions of the testes are to produce both sperm and androgens, primarily testostero ...
. It is wider above than below.
Numerous imperfect
septa
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is a regional public transportation authority that operates bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolleybus services for nearly 4 million people in five c ...
are given off from its front and sides, which radiate toward the surface of the testes and are attached to the
tunica albuginea. These divide the interior of the testes into a number of incomplete spaces called
lobules
In anatomy, a lobe is a clear anatomical division or extension of an organ (as seen for example in the brain, lung, liver, or kidney) that can be determined without the use of a microscope at the gross anatomy level. This is in contrast to t ...
. 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
File:gray1145.png, Transverse section through the left side of the scrotum and the left testis.
File:Mediastinum testis.JPG, Microscopic picture.
References
External links
* "Mediastinum (human)"
* - "Inguinal Region, Scrotum and Testes: Testis"
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Mammal male reproductive system