He’s got balls
Balls, either you got em, or you don’t. First some info on your balls
Function
Like the ovaries (to which they are homologous), testicles are components of both the reproductive system (being gonads) and the endocrine system (being endocrine glands). The respective functions of the testicles are;
- producing sperm (spermatozoa)
- producing male sex hormones that of which testosterone is the best-known
Both functions of the testicle, sperm-forming and endocrine, are under control of gonadotropic hormones produced by the anterior pituitary:
- luteinizing hormone (LH)
- follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
External appearance
Male mammals have two testicles, which are often contained within an extension of the abdomen called the scrotum. In mammals with external testicles it is most common for one testis to hang lower than the other. It is estimated that in about 85% of men the lower hanging testicle is the right one. This is due to differences in the vascular anatomical structure on the right and left sides.
In healthy European adult human males, average testicular volume is 18cm³ per testis, with normal size ranging from 12cm³ to 30cm³. Measurement in the living adult is done in two basic ways:
- comparing the testicle with ellipsoids of known sizes (orchidometer).
- measuring the length, depth and width with a ruler, a pair of calipers or ultrasound imaging.
The volume is then calculated using the formula for the volume of an ellipsoid: 4/3 π × (length/2) × (width/2) × (depth/2).
To some extent, it is possible to change testicular size. Short of direct injury or subjecting them to adverse conditions, e.g., higher temperature than they are normally accustomed to, they can be shrunk by competing against their intrinsic hormonal function through the use of externally administered steroidal hormones. Steroids taken for muscle enhancement often have the undesired side effect of testicular shrinkage. Similarly, stimulation of testicular functions via gonadotropic-like hormones may enlarge their size. Testicles may shrink or atrophy during hormone replacement therapy.
Oke, enough of that. This is what the look like on the outside:
This is a drawing of how the supposed to look like:
Are you curious what they really look like? Go ahead look at my balls!
