Anatomy · Abdomen and Pelvis

Testis

5 min read

  • Testis: male gonad, homologous with the ovary, one in each half of the scrotum; produces spermatozoa and secretes testosterone, maintaining male secondary sex characteristics.

Shape, Measurements and Position

  • Oval/ellipsoid, compressed side to side; average length 5 cm, breadth 2.5 cm, anteroposterior diameter 3 cm.
  • Suspended in the scrotum by the spermatic cord.
  • Lies obliquely: upper pole tilted forward and laterally, lower pole tilted backward and medially.
  • Left testis lies slightly lower than the right because the left spermatic cord is longer, as descent of the left testis begins earlier.

External Features

  • Two poles (upper, lower), two borders (anterior, posterior), two surfaces (medial, lateral).