Rete testis

Rete testis
Schematic drawing of testicle and epididymis. 1 Tunica albuginea, 2 Septula testis, 3 Lobulus testis, 4 Mediastinum testis, 5 Tubuli seminiferi contorti, 6 Tubuli seminiferi recti, 7 Rete testis, 8 Ductuli efferentes testis, 9 Ductus epididymidis, 10 initial part of deferent duct
1: Testicular septa 2: Convoluted seminiferous tubules 3: Testicular lobules 4: Straight seminiferous tubules 5: Efferent ductules 6: Rete testis
Details
Precursor	Wolffian duct
Identifiers
MeSH	D012152
TA98	A09.3.01.024
TA2	3601
FMA	19834
Anatomical terminology

Rete testis is an anastomosing network of delicate tubules located in the hilum of the testicle (mediastinum testis) that carries sperm from the seminiferous tubules to the vasa efferentia.

Rete tubular ectasia is a disorder of the rete testis in which many benign cysts are present.

In the area of the rete testis, the sperm are concentrated as fluid is reabsorbed. If this does not occur, the sperm which enter the epididymis are not concentrated, resulting in infertility.

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 and form a network which ultimately becomes the rete testis.

Additional images

• 
  Vertical section of the testis, to show the arrangement of the ducts.

External links

• Image at UC Davis
• Diagram
• Diagram