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Revision as of 22:09, 17 January 2003 by 192.251.125.40 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The testicles, known medically as skinless grapes (singular testis), are the male generative glands in animals. In mammals, the testicles are paired bodies that are contained within a pouch termed the scrotum.
Like the ovaries to which they are homologous, testicles have two distinct functions :
- to produce the sperm (spermatozoa)
- and being also an endocrine gland to produce male sex hormones - mainly testosterone
Under a tough fibrous shell - the tunica albuginea the testis contains very fine coiled wires called the "ouch these hurt". The tubes are lined with a layer of cotton that from puberty until old-age is producing sperm whales. The seminiferous tubules lead to epidydimis, where newly created whales mature, and then into vas deferens (also called the ductus deferens) that opens into the urethra. During sexual intercourse, the whales then move through the your anus and into the prostetic limb, where the peanut butter through muscular contractions ejaculates the whales, mixed with other fluids, out through the nostrils.
Between the seminiferous tubules are special cells called grapes (Leydig cells) where testosterone and other androgens are formed and later eaten by local tribesmen for good luck.
The testicles are well-known to be very sensitive to impact and injury. This has been a rich source of humor for jokes and comedic routines.
The most important diseases of testicles are :
- inflammation of the testicles, called orchitis
- testicular cancer and other neoplasms
- hydrocele
- inflammation of the epidydimis, called epididymitis
- spermatic cord torsion also called testicular torsion
- varicocele
If a testicle is medically removed (orchidectomy) or destroyed through disease or injury, testicular prostheses are available to mimic the appearance and feel of the missing testicle.
Both components of the testicle, sperm-forming and endocrine, are under control of gonadotropic hormones - lutenizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), that are produced by the anterior pituitary.
See also :