The scrotal ligament is the remnant of

gubernaculum The paired gubernacula (from Ancient Greek κυβερνάω = pilot, steer), also called the caudal genital ligament, are embryonic structures which begin as undifferentiated mesenchyme attaching to the caudal end of the gonads (testicles in m ...

in a

fetus A fetus or foetus (; : fetuses, foetuses, rarely feti or foeti) is the unborn offspring of a viviparous animal that develops from an embryo. Following the embryonic development, embryonic stage, the fetal stage of development takes place. Pren ...

. This ligament secures the

testicle A testicle or testis ( testes) is the gonad in all male bilaterians, including humans, and is Homology (biology), homologous to the ovary in females. Its primary functions are the production of sperm and the secretion of Androgen, androgens, p ...

to the most inferior portion of the

scrotum In most terrestrial mammals, the scrotum (: scrotums or scrota; possibly from Latin ''scortum'', meaning "hide" or "skin") or scrotal sac is a part of the external male genitalia located at the base of the penis. It consists of a sac of skin ...

, tethering it in place and limiting the degree to which the testis can move within the scrotum. Abnormal function of the scrotal ligament can allow for

testicular torsion Testicular torsion occurs when the spermatic cord (from which the testicle is suspended) twists, cutting off the blood supply to the testicle. The most common symptom in children is sudden, severe testicular pain. The testicle may be higher tha ...

to occur.

References

External links

Gray, Henry. ''Anatomy of the Human Body''. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1918; Bartleby.com, 2000.
Ligaments Scrotum {{ligament-stub