What kind of tissue are testicles

The head of the epididymis is located on superior pole of testis. It stores sperm for maturation. The body of the epididymis is a highly convoluted duct which connects the head to the tail of the epididymis. Sperm mature in this section of the epididymis. Grant Closeout. Cancer Training at NCI. Resources for Trainees. Funding for Cancer Training. Building a Diverse Workforce. National Cancer Act 50th Anniversary Commemoration. Resources for News Media.

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Germ cells. Stromal cells. References American Cancer Society. What Is Testicular Cancer? Cancer Research UK. About Testicular Cancer. Human Anatomy. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings; The tissues next to the tubules are called Leydig cells.

These cells produce male hormones, such as testosterone and other androgens. After sperm is created in the seminiferous tubules, sperm cells travel toward the epididymis through the rete testis.

The rete testis helps to mix sperm cells around in the fluid secreted by Sertoli cells. The body reabsorbs this fluid as sperm cells travel from the seminiferous tubules to the epididymis. Millions of tiny projections in the rete testis, known as microvilli, help move sperm along to the efferent tubules.

The efferent ducts are a series of tubes that join the rete testis to the epididymis. These ducts are lined with hair-like projections called cilia. Along with a layer of smooth muscle, cilia help move the sperm into the epididymis. The efferent ducts also absorb most of the fluid that helps to move sperm cells. This results in a higher concentration of sperm in ejaculate fluid. Tunica vasculosa is the first thin layer of blood vessels.

This layer shields the tubular interior of each testicle from further layers of tissue around the outer testicle. The next layer is called the tunica albuginea. The outermost layers of tissue are called the tunica vaginalis.

The tunica vaginalis consists of three layers:. A hydrocele happens when excess fluid builds up in the cavities around one of your testicles. This is sometimes present at birth, but it can also result from an injury or inflammation. Most go away on their own, but more severe cases might require surgical removal. Testicular torsion means that your testicle has rotated in the scrotum. This can wind up the spermatic cord, cutting off blood supply, nerve function, and sperm transport to your scrotum.

Your doctor can treat testicular torsion by moving the testicle by hand. Some cases might require surgery to untwist the spermatic cord. Orchitis refers to a swollen or inflamed testicle. Like epididymitis , orchitis often results from an infection caused by an STI.

Both bacterial and viral infections can cause orchitis. A combination of antibiotics or antiviral medication, along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cold packs can help reduce discomfort and pain.

Orchitis usually disappears in days. You can be born with this condition. It can also happen due to an injury, infection, or other condition that affects testosterone production. Hypogonadism is usually treated with hormone replacement therapy.