| Revision as of 01:19, 9 May 2004 view sourceDori (talk | contribs)9,615 editsm Reverted edits by 195.92.67.75 to last version by Robodoc.at← Previous edit | Revision as of 20:43, 14 May 2004 view source 24.229.111.246 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| They are fun to play with, and to eat. | |||
| ] | |||
| The '''testicles''', known medically as '''testes''' (singular '''testis'''), are the male generative glands in ]s. Male ]s have two testicles, contained within an extension of the ] called the ]. | |||
| ==Function== | |||
| Like the ] (to which they are ]), testicles are components of both the ] (being ]s) and the ] (being ]s). The respective functions of the testicles are: | |||
| * producing ] (spermatozoa) | |||
| * producing male sex ]s, mainly ] | |||
| Both functions of the testicle, sperm-forming and endocrine, are under control of gonadotropic hormones produced by the anterior ]: | |||
| * ] (LH) | |||
| * ] (FSH) | |||
| ] | |||
| ==Structure== | |||
| Under a tough fibrous shell, the ''tunica albuginea'', the testis contains very fine coiled tubes called the ''seminiferous tubules''. The tubes are lined with a layer of cells that, from ] into old-age, produce sperm cells. The seminiferous tubules lead to the ], where newly created sperm cells mature, and then into ''vas deferens'' (also called the ]) which opens into the ]. Upon any sufficient ], the sperm cells move through the ] and into the prostatic urethra, where the ], through muscular contractions, ejaculates the sperm, mixed with other fluids, out through the ]. (The genital anatomy described here, along with the neuroanatomy and hormonal systems that enable it to perform ejaculation, have as primary evolutionary functions the ] of a fertile female of the same ] (or a sufficiently close one), via ] with her.) | |||
| Between the seminiferous tubules are special cells called ] | |||
| (Leydig cells) where ] and other ] are | |||
| formed. | |||
| ==Health issues== | |||
| The testicles are well-known to be very sensitive to impact and injury. This has been a rich source of ] for jokes and comedic routines. ] terms for testicles, like "balls" or the ] "''cojones''" are often used in everyday speech to denote courage or audacity, as in "He has balls to do that." | |||
| The most important diseases of testicles are: | |||
| * inflammation of the testicles, called ] | |||
| * ] and other neoplasms | |||
| * accumulation of clear fluid around a testicle, called ] | |||
| * inflammation of the epididymis, called ] | |||
| * ] also called ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| The removal of one or both testicles is termed | |||
| * ], in medicine (where ''orchiectomy'' and ''orchectomy'' are synonymous), and | |||
| * ] in general use, especially when done for the benefit of others than the subject, for example, to produce a high-voiced ] from the castration of a pre-] boy | |||
| At least for humans, testicular prostheses are available to mimic the appearance and feel of one or both testicles, when absent as from injury or medical treatment. | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] (vasectomy) | |||
| ] ] ] ] | |||
| {{msg:reproductive_system}} | |||
| {{msg:endocrine_system}} | |||
Revision as of 20:43, 14 May 2004
They are fun to play with, and to eat.