View source for Germinal epithelium (male)

{{short description|Epithelial layer of the seminiferous tubules}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Germinal epithelium (male)
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| Image       = Germinal_epithelium_testicle.svg
| Caption     = Germinal epithelium of the [[testicle]]. 1 [[basal lamina]], 2 [[spermatogonia]], 3 [[spermatocyte]] 1st order, 4 spermatocyte 2nd order, 5 [[spermatid]], 6 mature spermatid, 7 [[Sertoli cell]], 8 [[tight junction]] ([[blood testis barrier]])
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| Caption2    =
| Precursor   =
| System      =
| Artery      =
| Vein        =
| Nerve       =
| Lymph       =
}}
{{Epithelia series}}
The '''germinal epithelium''' is the [[epithelial]] layer of the [[seminiferous tubules]] of the [[testicles]]. It is also known as the wall of the seminiferous tubules. The cells in the epithelium are connected via tight junctions.
There are two types of cells in the germinal epithelium. The large [[Sertoli cells]] (not dividing) function as supportive cells to the developing [[sperm]]. The second cell type is the cells belonging to the [[spermatogenic]] cell lineage. These eventually develop into sperm cells ([[spermatozoon]]). Typically, the spermatogenic cells will make four to eight layers in the germinal epithelium.<ref>Junqueira's Basic Histology: Text and Atlas, Thirteenth Edition</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Gray's}}
==External links==
* {{BUHistology|17803loa}} - "Male Reproductive System: testis, germinal epithelium"
* {{AnatomyAtlasesMicroscopic|02|21}} - "Stratified Germinal Epithelium"
* {{EmbryologySwiss|cgametogen/spermato02}}
{{Male reproductive system}}
[[Category:Mammal male reproductive system]]
{{genitourinary-stub}}
{{Portal bar|Anatomy}}