The mediastinum testis is a thick yet incomplete septum at the posterior part of the testis formed by the

tunica albuginea of testis The tunica albuginea is a dense, blue-white layer of fibrous tissue surrounding the testis. 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 tuni ...

projecting into the testis at its posterior aspect where the testis is not lined by the

serous membrane The serous membrane (or serosa) is a smooth epithelial membrane of mesothelium lining the contents and inner walls of body cavity, body cavities, which secrete serous fluid to allow lubricated sliding (motion), sliding movements between opposing ...

to allow for the attachment of the

epididymis The epididymis (; : epididymides or ) is an elongated tubular genital organ attached to the posterior side of each one of the two male reproductive glands, the testicles. It is a single, narrow, tightly coiled tube in adult humans, in length; ...

. It extends posteriorly between the testis' superior pole and inferior pole. It is wider superiorly than inferiorly. It supports the

rete testis The rete testis ( ; : retia testes) is an anastomosis, anastomosing network of delicate tubules located in the hilum of the testicle (mediastinum testis) that carries spermatozoon, sperm from the seminiferous tubules to the efferent ducts. It is t ...

and blood and lymphatic vessels of the testis in their passage into and out of the substance of the gland. The septa testis - extensions of the tunica albuginea into the substance of the testis that form fibrous partitions - converge towards the mediastinum testis.

Additional images

File:gray1145.png, Transverse section through the left side of the scrotum and the left testis. File:Mediastinum testis.JPG, Microscopic picture.

References

External links

* "Mediastinum (human)" * - "Inguinal Region, Scrotum and Testes: Testis" {{Authority control Mammal male reproductive system