Each slide is shown with additional information to its right. The image can be changed using any combination of the following commands.
Sidebar
Click on links to move to a specific region.
Click on images to show that view.
Use the toolbar to change the magnification and pan the displayed image.
Mouse
Click to zoom-in
Double-click to zoom-out
Alt-click to zoom-out
Alt-double-click to zoom-out to the entire slide
Drag the image to pan
Keyboard
Shift or ‘A’ key to zoom-in
Ctrl or ‘Z’ Key to zoom-out
Arrow Keys to pan across the image
ESC key to zoom-out to the entire slide
Touch
Tap to zoom-in
Double-tap to zoom-out
Alt-tap to zoom-out to the entire slide
Drag the image to pan
SHARE
A link to a virtual slide can be saved for later viewing in different ways.
Clipboard
The address of this view has been copied to your clipboard. This link can be pasted in any other program.
Bookmark
A bookmark link can be created using the bookmark function (Ctrl-D for Windows or Cmd-D for Mac) of your browser. Choose a name for the bookmark and select the folder in which you want it saved.
The adult testis has a mature seminiferous epithelium capable of sperm production.
Tunica Albuginea - capsule of thick connective tissue. (Not present in this specimen.)
Seminiferous Tubules - each lobule contains 1 to 4 highly-coiled seminiferous tubules lined by a germinal epithelium that is the site of sperm production.
Sertoli Cells - large, columnar cells that extend the full thickness of the germinal epithelium.
Irregular, euchromatic nucleus with a single, prominent nucleolus.
Blood-testis Barrier - these cells separate the basal epithelial compartment (of spermatogonia) from the luminal compartment (of spermatocytes, spermatids and sperm).
Spermatogenesis - the process by which spermatogonia develop into sperm. Many dividing cells are seen in the germinal epithelium.
Spermatogonia - single layer of germ cells resting on the basement membrane.
Primary Spermatocytes - arise from spermatogonia and cross from the basal epithelial to luminal compartment of the germinal epithelium.
Secondary Spermatocytes - arise from primary spermatocytes and rapidly divide (rarely visible).
Adult Testis
Spermatids - arise from secondary spermatocytes and undergo spermiogenesis to transform into sperm.
Small, spherical cells (8 µm or less) with intensely stained nuclei near the lumen.
Embedded in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells.
Leydig Cells (or Interstitial Cells) (#1 and #2) - found in the connective
tissue (or interstitium) between seminiferous tubules.
Large, round cells (20 to 30 µm diameter) with vesicular nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm.
Usually occur in clusters of 5 to 30 cells.
Secrete testosterone.
Mediastinum - region in which seminiferous tubules converge and sperm exits the testis.
Straight Tubules (or Tubuli Recti) - short, terminal section of each seminiferous tubule lined only by Sertoli cells.
