Editing Rete testis

{{Short description|Tubules that carry sperm}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Rete testis
| Latin       = rete testis
| Image       = rete testis.jpg
| Caption     = Position of the rete testis within the testicle
| Image2      = Illu_testis_schematic.jpg
| Caption2    = 1: [[Testicular septa]]<br>2: [[Convoluted seminiferous tubules]]<br>3: [[Testicular lobules]]<br>4: [[Straight seminiferous tubules]]<br>5: [[Efferent ductules]]<br>6: Rete testis
| Precursor   = [[Wolffian duct]]
| System      =
}}
The '''rete testis''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|iː|t|i|_|ˈ|t|ɛ|s|t|ɪ|s}} {{respell|REE|tee|_|TES|tis}}; {{plural form}}: '''retia testes''') is an [[anastomosis|anastomosing]] network of delicate [[tubule]]s located in the hilum of the [[testicle]] ([[mediastinum testis]]) that carries [[spermatozoon|sperm]] from the [[seminiferous tubules]] to the [[efferent ducts]]. It is the [[Homology (biology)|homologue]] of the [[rete ovarii]] in females.<ref>[https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/rete+testis Definition: Rete testis from Online Medical Dictionary]</ref> Its function is to provide a site for fluid reabsorption.

==Structure==
[[File:Rete testis high mag.jpg|thumb|left|[[Micrograph]] of the '''rete testis'''. [[H&E stain]].]]
The rete testis is the network of interconnecting tubules where the [[Tubuli seminiferi recti|straight seminiferous tubules]] (the terminal part of the [[seminiferous tubules]]) empty. It is located within a highly vascular [[connective tissue]] in the [[mediastinum testis]].<ref name="ross">{{cite book|title=Histology: A Text and Atlas|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|last1=Ross|first1=M.|last2=Pawlina|first2=W.|year=2011|isbn=978-0-7817-7200-6|page=802|edition=6th}}</ref> The [[epithelium|epithelial cells]] form a single layer that lines the inner surface of the tubules. These cells are [[Simple cuboidal epithelium|cuboidal]], with [[microvillus|microvilli]] and a single [[cilium]] on their surface.<ref name="wheater">{{cite book|title=Wheater's Functional Histology: A Text and Colour Atlas|publisher=Elsevier|last1=Young|first1=B.|last2=Woodford|first2=P.|last3=O'Dowd|first3=G.|year=2013|isbn=978-0702047473|page=344|edition=6th}}</ref>

===Development===
In the [[development of the urinary and reproductive organs]], the [[testis]] is developed in much the same way as the [[ovary]], originating from [[mesothelium]] as well as [[mesonephros]]. Like the ovary, in its earliest stages it consists of a central mass covered by a surface epithelium. In the central mass, a series of cords appear. These cords run together toward the future [[hilum (anatomy)|hilum]] and form a network that ultimately becomes the rete testis.

==Function==
It appears the function of the rete testis is to mix the sperm as they leave the seminiferous tubules. Sperm leave the seminiferous tubules in the dilute secretions of Sertoli cells. The rete testis does modify the luminal fluids with a limited amount of secretion and reabsorption, but their primary function is to mix and transport the sperm into the efferent ductules, where the major function is reabsorption of about 95% of the fluid, which increases the sperm concentration prior to entering the epididymis.

==Clinical significance==
[[Rete tubular ectasia]] is a disorder of the rete testis characterized by multiple benign [[cysts]].

==Etymology==
English uses the [[Neo-Latin]] name for the structure, which simply means "[[wikt:rete#Latin|network]] of the [[wikt:testis#Etymology 2|testis]]".

==Additional images==
<gallery>
File:Gray1149.png|Vertical section of the [[testis]], to show the arrangement of the ducts.
File:Rete testis with seminoma.jpg|Micrograph of the rete testis involved by seminoma. H&E stain.
File:Tubular ectasia of the rete testis-0028.jpg|Tubular ectasia of the rete testis
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://trc.ucdavis.edu/mjguinan/apc100/modules/Reproductive/mammal/testis0/testis3.html Image at UC Davis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060409162457/http://trc.ucdavis.edu/mjguinan/apc100/modules/Reproductive/mammal/testis0/testis3.html |date=2006-04-09 }}
* [http://www.kinderchirurgie.ch/fallderwoche/fdw3_02/rete_testis.jpg Diagram] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040732/http://www.kinderchirurgie.ch/fallderwoche/fdw3_02/rete_testis.jpg |date=2016-03-04 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070420214620/http://www.mccc.edu/~falkow/A%26P%20web/Shawn%27s%20104%20HO/reprod3.jpg Diagram]

{{Male reproductive system}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Scrotum]]


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