The testes
Testes · testis
The two glands in the scrotum that make sperm and testosterone.
What it does
The testes hang in the scrotum outside the body, where it is a couple of degrees cooler. Coiled tubes inside them make millions of sperm a day, which mature in the epididymis. Cells between the tubes produce testosterone, which drives male development.
Surprising fact
The testes develop inside the abdomen, near the kidneys, and move down into the scrotum before birth, dragging their blood vessels and nerves with them.
Why it matters
Because they start near the kidneys, pain from the testes can be felt in the lower abdomen. Testicular cancer is most common in young men, and self-checks help find it early.
Nearby
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Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.