American Board of Pathology (ABPath) Practice Test

Centripetal arteries play a crucial role in the testis by delivering oxygenated blood to the seminiferous tubules. These arteries are branches of the testicular artery that specifically supply blood to the areas where sperm production occurs. The seminiferous tubules are the sites of spermatogenesis, and therefore, a rich supply of oxygenated blood is essential to support the metabolic activities involved in the production and maturation of sperm.

The other options involve functions or anatomical structures that are not associated with the specific role of centripetal arteries. For instance, the tunica vaginalis is supplied by different vascular structures, and lymph drainage is typically managed by lymphatic vessels rather than arteries. Additionally, while the testis is connected to the abdominal aorta via the testicular artery, centripetal arteries themselves do not serve that function; they specifically function to irrigate the testicular tissue.