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plural testes
ˈte-ˌstēz
: a typically paired male reproductive gland that produces sperm and secretes testosterone and that in most mammals is contained within the scrotum at sexual maturity
Examples of testis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The intrauterine position phenomenon occurs because the testes of male fetuses begin producing testosterone early in development.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024
Targeted interventions are also more easily delivered to the testes than the ovaries.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024
That's because both eggs and testes may be damaged following chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024
Studies have connected phthalates to childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular issues, cancer and reproductive problems such as genital malformations and undescended testes in baby boys and low sperm counts and testosterone levels in adult males.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024
Those fluctuating hormones can affect testis function and sperm quality and production.
—Karen Pallarito, Health, 12 May 2023
When the primordia start maturing into oocytes or testes, head-formation genes (different from the Hox genes), which are also responsible for forming a head in other creatures, become active in the middle of the stock body.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
Combatting the Effect of Mobile Phones on Sperm Quality
To reduce potential risks associated with cell phone use, Parekh provides these general recommendations:
Keep your phone at a safe distance: When not in use, keep your phone in a bag or on a desk rather than in a pocket close to your testes.
—Kaitlin Vogel, Health, 17 Nov. 2023
But, whereas Martínez-Patiño’s body was completely unable to use the testosterone produced by her testes, Semenya’s body is able to use some.
—S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'testis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin, witness, testis
First Known Use
1650, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near testis
Cite this Entry
“Testis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testis. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
Medical Definition
testis
noun
tes·tis
ˈtes-təs
plural testes
ˈtes-ˌtēz
: a typically paired male reproductive gland that usually consists largely of seminiferous tubules from the epithelium of which spermatozoa develop, that contains androgen-secreting Leydig cells in the interstitial tissue, that corresponds to the ovary of the female and in craniate vertebrates develops from the genital ridges of the embryo, and that in most mammals descends into the scrotum before the attainment of sexual maturity and in many cases before birth
More from Merriam-Webster on testis
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about testis
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