Normal·Reproductive·Testis
Testis — seminiferous tubules with spermatogenesis
Stain: H&E·Magnification: 40x·Tissue: Seminiferous epithelium·5 labeled regions
Wikimedia Commons · File:Histological_structure_of_seminiferous_tubules_in_the_adult_mouse_testes..jpg · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Histological_structure_of_seminiferous_tubules_in_the_adult_mouse_testes..jpg (CC-licensed)
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Coiled tubules lined by stratified seminiferous epithelium. Most basal cells = spermatogonia; progressively toward the lumen = primary spermatocytes (largest, leptotene/pachytene chromatin) → spermatids → spermatozoa. Interstitium contains Leydig cells.
Labeled regions (5)
- 1Spermatogonia
Basal layer stem cells (type A + B). Resting on basement membrane; replenish the germ line.
- 2Primary spermatocyte
Largest germ cell; characteristic clumped pachytene chromatin (looks "stringy"). Undergoing meiosis I.
- 3Spermatids / spermatozoa
Luminal-side; condensed dark heads + visible tails as they mature. Released into the lumen.
- 4Sertoli cell
Tall pale columnar cells spanning epithelium; form blood-testis barrier, secrete inhibin + androgen-binding protein. Tumor = Sertoli cell tumor.
- 5Leydig cell (interstitial)
Polygonal eosinophilic cells between tubules; secrete testosterone in response to LH. Contain lipid droplets + Reinke crystals.
