Testis belongs to male internal reproductive organs, is the processing factory of sperm and androgen, and is the engine of male sexual desire. Testicles are very sensitive to the environment and prone to various problems, so men should pay attention to the self-examination of testicles.
What are normal testicles like?
Testicles are the internal reproductive organs of men. A normal male has two testicles, which are located on the left and right sides of the scrotum. Testicles are oval and gray in color. Adult testicles are 3.5-4.5cm long, 2-3cm wide and 1-2cm thick, and each testicle weighs 10- 15g. Generally, the left side is about 1cm lower than the right side. Some people's testicles are one big and one small, one high and one low. If the difference is not big, it is normal. There are a large number of curved seminiferous tubules in testis, which contain interstitial cells. Seminiferous tubules are places where sperm are produced. The amount of sperm produced in a person's life is amazing. One ejaculation is 3-4 ml, which contains 300-400 million sperm, or as few as1-200 million sperm. The number of sperm produced in a person's life can reach more than 1 trillion. The production of sperm is easily influenced by temperature and other factors. If the temperature around the testis is too high or affected by chemical poisons, the production of sperm will be hindered. Stromal cells produce androgens, which are closely related to male secondary sexual characteristics and physiological functions.
There is a thick fibrous membrane on the surface of testis, called white membrane, which thickens along the posterior margin of testis and protrudes into testis to form testis mediastinum. Many connective tissue septa emanate from the mediastinum and divide the testis into many testicular lobules. The testis contains convoluted seminiferous tubules, and the epithelium of seminiferous tubules can produce sperm. There are homogeneous cells secreting androgen in the connective tissue between tubules. The seminiferous tubules are combined into seminiferous tubules, which enter the testis mediastinum and interweave into the testis net. The 12~ 15 output tubule of testicular reticular passes through the upper part of the posterior margin of testis and enters the epididymis.
According to clinical statistics, testicular cancer is not a senile disease, and young men also have a high incidence. Therefore, men should have their testicles examined once a month as long as they are over 15 years old. Regular self-examination can let you know the size, shape and feeling of your testicles and find any changes in time.
The right testis is usually larger than the left testis, and the left testis is usually lower, which is normal. Normal testicles should be elastic and smooth, similar to boiled and shelled eggs. Bathing is the best time for self-reflection. Warm water will relax the scrotum and testicles and facilitate self-examination.
Self-test is not complicated, and the best recommended time is after taking a shower. This is because any local tension will make the scrotum contract and affect the examination. After bathing, the scrotal skin is the most relaxed, and the examination is easier and more accurate. When checking, the first step is to hold the testicles by hand and feel the weight and texture of the testicles; Then palpate with both hands, first check one side and compare the size, shape and texture. When the tumor occurred, the testis was swollen, hard and smooth, but it had lost its normal elasticity, or there were several proliferative nodules in the testis. In the initial self-examination, be vigilant when you feel a lump or fall. It is best to go to the hospital for further examination in time.
Results Adult testes with a size less than 10ml were small testes and those with a size greater than 25ml were large testes, both of which were abnormal. If the adult testis volume is less than 10ml, it means that there is something wrong with the testis, and the function of most of these testes has declined. Patients can have two situations:
Testicular spermatogenesis dysfunction occurs. During semen examination, the number of sperm is often less than 654.38+million /ml (oligozoospermia) or azoospermia (azoospermia). The patient's fertility is extremely low or has been lost.
The endocrine function of testis is damaged, and the level of testosterone in blood is very low, which makes men's secondary sexual characteristics underdeveloped, such as beard, pubic hair and armpit hair, and their pronunciation is childish. Severe feminization (such as breast development, delicate skin,
When should the testicular examination start? First of all, boys should have their testicles examined from birth so as to find diseases such as cryptorchidism at an early stage, which needs to be carried out under the guidance of doctors. Secondly, under normal circumstances, the testicles of boys grow rapidly from about112 years old, and basically mature to 18 years old, and complete normal puberty development at the same time. If the testicular volume does not increase after 12 years old, it is necessary to seek medical advice in time to rule out the possibility of delayed puberty. Finally, it is suggested that testicular self-examination should be done once a month from the age of 15, so as to know the size, shape and touch of testis at any time and find diseases such as tumors as early as possible.
The best time for self-examination is after taking a bath. At this time, the scrotal skin is loose and easy to check.
Specific techniques: take a standing position, make the scrotum droop naturally, hold the scrotum with your palm, and observe and feel its size and weight. Hold the testicles gently with your hands, with your thumb in front and your forefinger and middle finger behind. Turn the testis gently with your index finger and thumb to check its size, smooth surface, lump and tenderness, and pay attention to the difference between the left and right testicles. If there is an abnormal mass, you should be vigilant and seek treatment from a male doctor as soon as possible.