The testes are wheresperm cellsare produced and are also responsible for the production of the sex hormonetestosterone.
The testes are housed in a pouch of skin beneath thepeniscalled thescrotum.
Their location outside the abdomen ensures that the testes remain at the ideal temperature for sperm cells to develop.
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Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same.
Anatomy of the Testes
Most males are born with two testes (testicles).
These are soft, egg-shaped organs located inside the scrotum.
One testicle is referred to as atestis.
Within the scrotum, the testes are suspended from the abdomen by thespermatic cord.
The testes are made up of several lobes that contain a data pipe of narrow tubes calledseminiferous tubules.
These are wherespermare produced in a process known asspermatogenesis.
Situated between seminiferous tubules areLeydig cellsthat secrete testosterone crucial to the development of sperm cells.
The immature cells are then passed to a tightly coiled tube on the outside of each testicle called theepididymis.
This is where sperm cells are stored and complete maturation.
Production of Testosterone
Testosterone is the hormone produced mainly by the testes in males and theovariesin females.
It then takes several months for the sperm cells to mature enough to be functional.
The maturation starts in the testes but mostly takes place inside the epididymis.
Without ample testosterone, sperm cells cannot mature as they should, resulting in infertility.
Congenital conditions are those that occur during fetal development.
Also known as an undescended testicle, it is one of the most common congenital conditions affecting male babies.
When a person is born with more than two testicles, the condition is referred to aspolyorchidism.
People with polyorchidism most commonly have three testicles but can have as many as five.
It is a very rare condition with fewer than 200 reported cases.
Transverse Testicular Ectopia
Transverse testicular ectopia, or crossedtesticular ectopia, is an equally rare condition.
It comes up whenever both testicles descend to the same side of the scrotum.
Hydrocele triggers when a testicle descends into the scrotum along with some of the lining of the abdomen.
In most boys, the opening will eventually close and be completely sealed off by age two.
Whatever fluid is left in the testicle will eventually be reabsorbed by the body.
However, if the swelling is especially severe, minor surgery can be needed to drain the scrotum.
Left untreated, the extreme swelling can cause damage to the testes and adjacent structures, affecting future fertility.
Hydrocele that continues beyond the age of two may also need treatment.
Orchitis
Orchitisrefers to inflammation of the testes.
In sexually active young males, it is most commonly due to sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia andgonorrhea.
Pain and swelling are the central features.
In older males and children, orchitis may be brought on by a bacterial or viral infection.
Of those affected, 30% will have impaired fertility or infertility.
Varicocele
Varicoceleis another common condition affecting the testes.
In addition to scrotal discomfort and pain, varicoceles can decrease testosterone production, leading to reduced fertility.
Testicular Torsion
Testicular torsionoccurs when the testicle rotates inside the scrotum, cutting off the blood supply.
Symptoms include pain and swelling of the testicle, typically sudden and severe.
Nausea, vomiting, and an abnormal elevation of the testicle are also common.
Testicular torsion can happen to males of any age but is most common in 12- to 18-year-olds.
It can happen after strenuous exercise, while sleeping, or after a blow or injury to the scrotum.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Testicular torsion is a medical emergency.
Severe cases can even result in the loss of the testicle.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer affects thousands of males each year in the United States.
Fortunately, the disease is highly curable, and death rates are low.
Unlike other cancers, it is more likely to affect younger males than older males.
Risk factors include having an undescended testicle and a family history of testicular cancer.
Ultrasoundis the most commonly used tool to examine the testes.
This non-invasive test uses sound waves to look inside the scrotum for any abnormalities.
An MRI is the test of choice for diagnosing cryptorchidism.
It can also help differentiatebenign(noncancerous) lumps frommalignant(cancerous) ones.
They are tasked with producing sperm as well as the sex hormone testosterone.
There are several congenital conditions that can affect the testes, including cryptorchidism (undescended testicle) and hydrocele.
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