Seminiferous tubule: Definition from Answers.com

Seminiferous tubule

Transverse section through the left side of the scrotum and the left testis. (Semeniferous tubules visible in center, but not labeled.)

1: Testicular septa 2: Convoluted seminiferous tubules 3: Testicular lobules 4: Straight seminiferous tubules 5: Efferent ductules 6: Rete testis
Latin	tubuli seminiferi
Gray's	subject #258 1243
MeSH	Seminiferous+Tubules

Seminiferous tubules are located in the testicles, and are the specific location of meiosis, and the subsequent creation of gametes, namely spermatozoa.

The epithelium of the tubule consists of sustentacular or Sertoli cells, which are tall, columnar type cells that line the tubule.

In between the Sertoli cells are spermatogenic cells, which differentiate through meiosis to sperm cells.

There are two types: convoluted and straight, convoluted toward the lateral side, and straight as the tubule comes medially to form ducts that will exit the testis.

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Male reproductive system (TA A09.3-4, GA 11.1236)

Seminal
tract

Scrotum	layers (skin, Dartos, External spermatic fascia, Cremaster/Cremasteric fascia, Internal spermatic fascia) · Perineal raphe · Spermatic cord

Testes	layers (Tunica vaginalis, Tunica albuginea, Tunica vasculosa testis) · Appendix · Mediastinum · Lobules · Septa · Leydig cell · Sertoli cell · Blood-testis barrier

Spermatogenesis	Spermatogonium · Spermatocytogenesis · Spermatocyte · Spermatidogenesis · Spermatid · Spermiogenesis · Spermatozoon

Other	Seminiferous tubules (Tubuli seminiferi recti, Rete testis, Efferent ducts) · Epididymis (Appendix, Stereocilia) · Vas deferens (Ampulla) · Ejaculatory duct

Urinary
tract

Internal urethral orifice · Urethra (Prostatic, Intermediate, Spongy, Navicular fossa) · External urethral orifice

Accessory
glands

Seminal vesicles (Excretory duct of seminal gland) · Prostate (Urethral crest/Seminal colliculus/Prostatic utricle/Ejaculatory duct, Prostatic sinus/Prostatic ducts) · Bulbourethral glands

Penis

root (Crus, Bulb, Fundiform ligament, Suspensory ligament) · body (Corpus cavernosum, Corpus spongiosum) · glans (Foreskin, Frenulum, Corona) · fascia (superficial/subcutaneous, deep/Buck's) · Tunica albuginea · Septum of the penis

reproductive system navs: anat female,male/physio/dev, noncongen/congen/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc

microscopic shot of seminiferous tubule (cross section)

photomicrograph of rat testis

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Seminiferous tubule

See also

External links