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Cryptorchidism, also known as undescended testis, is the failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum.The word is from Ancient Greek κρυπτός (kryptos) 'hidden' and ὄρχις (orchis) 'testicle'.
The rete testis (/ ˈ r iː t i ˈ t ɛ s t ɪ s / REE-tee TES-tis; pl.: retia testes) is an anastomosing network of delicate tubules located in the hilum of the testicle (mediastinum testis) that carries sperm from the seminiferous tubules to the efferent ducts. It is the homologue of the rete ovarii in females. [1]
The ectopic testis can be in the perineal region, the opposite side of the scrotum, the suprapubic region, the femoral region, or the superficial inguinal pouch. [1]The ectopic testis is initially normal, but if it is ignored after childhood, it may become small and soft, with spermatogenesis arresting and interstitial cell proliferation occurring.
The lower part persists as the gubernaculum testis ("scrotal ligament"). This ligament secures the testis to the most inferior portion of the scrotum, tethering it in place and limiting the degree to which the testis can move within the scrotum. Cryptorchidism (undescended testes) are observed in INSL3-null male mice.
The mediastinum testis is a thick yet incomplete septum at the posterior part of the testis formed by the tunica albuginea of testis projecting into the testis at its posterior aspect where the testis is not lined by the serous membrane to allow for the attachment of the epididymis.
The tunica albuginea is a dense, [1] [2] blue-white [3] layer of fibrous tissue surrounding the testis. [1] [4] It is the middle of three envelopes forming the capsule of the testis; it is deep to the visceral layer of tunica vaginalis, and superficial to the tunica vasculosa testis (vascular layer of testis).
The septa testis are fibrous partitions of the testis dividing the testis into compartments - the lobules of the testis. The septa are formed by extensions of the tunica albuginea - the dense fibrous connective tissue surface covering of the testis - into the substance of the testis. The septa converge towards the mediastinum testis. [1]
In the central mass a series of cords appear, and the periphery of the mass is converted into the tunica albuginea, thus excluding the surface epithelium from any part in the formation of the tissue of the testis. The cords of the central mass run together toward the future hilum and form a network which ultimately becomes the rete testis.