TESTIS Meaning and
Definition
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The testis is a male reproductive gland that belongs to the male reproductive system. Also known as testicles, they are a pair of oval-shaped organs located within the scrotum. Each testis is enclosed within a tough, protective layer called the tunica albuginea.
The primary function of the testes is to produce sperm cells, which are responsible for fertilizing the female egg during sexual reproduction. Sperm production takes place within numerous tiny coiled tubes called seminiferous tubules, which are densely packed within the testicular tissue. The testes also secrete testosterone, the primary male sex hormone.
In addition to reproduction, the testes play a vital role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the regulation of male characteristics such as body hair growth, deepening of the voice, and muscle development. They are controlled by hormones released from the pituitary gland in the brain, primarily luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
The testes are highly sensitive and vulnerable organs, hence their location outside the abdominal cavity within the scrotum. This positioning helps to maintain a slightly lower temperature necessary for sperm production to occur optimally. If the testes are exposed to higher temperatures, such as through prolonged exposure to heat or tight clothing, it can affect sperm production and fertility.
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1. Testicle, one of the two male reproductive glands, located in the cavity of the scrotum. 2. Postopticus, one of the inferior pair of the corpora quadrigemina, colliculus inferior.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of TESTIS
The word "testis" comes from Latin. It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*t(e)stis-", which means "witness" or "one who affirms". This root is also related to other Latin words such as "testimonium" (testimony) and "testari" (to bear witness). In ancient Rome, testis was originally used for a witness in a legal sense. Over time, it came to be associated with the male reproductive organ, as it was considered a "witness" to a man's virility and ability to procreate.
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