Mediastinum testis

Mediastinum testis
Schematic drawing of testicle and epididymis. 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, 9 Ductus epididymidis, 10 initial part of deferent duct
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
Gray's	subject #258 1243

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

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  Transverse section through the left side of the scrotum and the left testis.

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  Microscopic picture.

External links

• Histology at KUMC male-male09 "Mediastinum (human)"
• SUNY Labs 36:st-1402 - "Inguinal Region, Scrotum and Testes: Testis"

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.