Anatomy

Spermatozoa

Mature male germ cells derived from SPERMATIDS. As spermatids move toward the lumen of the SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES, they undergo extensive structural changes including the loss of cytoplasm, condensation of CHROMATIN into the SPERM HEAD, formation of the ACROSOME cap, the SPERM MIDPIECE and the SPERM TAIL that provides motility.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Mature male germ cells derived from SPERMATIDS. As spermatids move toward the lumen of the SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES, they undergo extensive structural changes including the loss of cytoplasm, condensation of CHROMATIN into the SPERM HEAD, formation of the ACROSOME cap, the SPERM MIDPIECE and the SPERM TAIL that provides motility.

MeSH Record

Classification

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MeSH Record

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

22 entry terms
  • Sperm
  • Spermatozoon
  • X-Bearing Sperm
  • X-Chromosome-Bearing Sperm
  • Y-Bearing Sperm
  • Y-Chromosome-Bearing Sperm
  • Sperm, X-Bearing
  • Sperm, X-Chromosome-Bearing
  • Sperm, Y-Bearing
  • Sperm, Y-Chromosome-Bearing
  • Sperms, X-Bearing
  • Sperms, X-Chromosome-Bearing
  • Sperms, Y-Bearing
  • Sperms, Y-Chromosome-Bearing
  • X Bearing Sperm
  • X Chromosome Bearing Sperm
  • X-Bearing Sperms
  • X-Chromosome-Bearing Sperms
  • Y Bearing Sperm
  • Y Chromosome Bearing Sperm
  • Y-Bearing Sperms
  • Y-Chromosome-Bearing Sperms

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

17 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

polyspermia & polyspermy = SPERMATOZOA if excessive sperm or = FERTILIZATION if fertilization of ovum by more than one sperm; sperm donors: coordinate SPERMATOZOA (IM) + TISSUE DONORS (IM); consider also INSEMINATION, ARTIFICIAL, HOMOLOGOUS (husband)(IM) or INSEMINATION, ARTIFICIAL, HETEROLOGOUS (non-husband)(IM) if pertinent but note SPERM BANKS is available; SPERM PRESERVATION is available; HEMOSPERMIA is available

MeSH Record

History Note

1963; for X-BEARING SPERM use X CHROMOSOME 1980-2005; for Y-BEARING SPERM use Y CHROMOSOME 1980-2005

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A05w.360w.490w.890w
  2. A11w.497w.760w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WP 95

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Spermatozoa. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D013094. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D013094
  2. Spermatozoa. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spermatozoon
  3. Spermatozoa. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q74560