What is a testicle and what does it produce?
A testicle, also called a testis, functions as the primary producer of sperm and the secretor of androgens like testosterone. It serves as the male gonad in all gonochoric animals.
Questions about Testicle
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How large are adult human testicles on average?
The volume of an adult human testicle measures up to 25 cubic centimeters on average with normal volume sitting between 15 and 25 cm3. The Tanner scale assigns maturity stages based on calculated volume ranging from less than 1.5 cm3 to greater than 20 cm3.
When do testes descend into the scrotum during development?
Testes follow the path of descent from high in the posterior fetal abdomen to the inguinal ring and beyond into the scrotum starting at about week 6. In most cases both testes have descended by birth for full-term infants though only 70% of preterm infants achieve this status.
Why do testicles hang lower on one side?
Scrotal asymmetry occurs frequently because one testicle often hangs lower than the other due to variations in the vasculature's anatomy. For 85% of men the right testis extends farther down into the scrotum than the left one.
What happens if a testicle twists causing torsion?
Testicular torsion represents a medical emergency where time determines whether the organ can be saved. There is a 90% chance to save the testicle if de-torsion surgery occurs within six hours of onset.