Spermatic Cord
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The spermatic cord is the cord-like structure in males formed by the
vas deferens The vas deferens (: vasa deferentia), ductus deferens (: ductūs deferentes), or sperm duct is part of the male reproductive system of many vertebrates. In mammals, spermatozoa are produced in the seminiferous tubules and flow into the epididyma ...
(''ductus deferens'') and surrounding tissue that runs from the deep inguinal ring down to each
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 ...
. Its serosal covering, the tunica vaginalis, is an extension of the
peritoneum The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mesotheli ...
that passes through the transversalis fascia. Each testicle develops in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar region and migrates into the scrotum. During its descent it carries along with it the vas deferens, its vessels, nerves etc. There is one on each side.


Structure

The spermatic cord is ensheathed in three layers of tissue: * '' external spermatic fascia'', an extension of the innominate fascia that overlies the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle. * '' cremasteric muscle and fascia'', formed from a continuation of the internal oblique muscle and its fascia. * '' internal spermatic fascia'', continuous with the transversalis fascia. The normal diameter of the spermatic cord is about 16 mm (range 11 to 22 mm). It is located behind the tunica vaginalis.


Contents


Blood vessels

* Testicular artery * Artery to the ductus deferens * Cremasteric artery


Nerves

* Nerve to cremaster ( genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve). *Testicular nerves ( sympathetic nerves). The ilioinguinal nerve is not actually located inside the spermatic cord, but runs outside it in the inguinal canal.


Other contents

*
Vas deferens The vas deferens (: vasa deferentia), ductus deferens (: ductūs deferentes), or sperm duct is part of the male reproductive system of many vertebrates. In mammals, spermatozoa are produced in the seminiferous tubules and flow into the epididyma ...
* Pampiniform plexus * Lymphatic vessels The tunica vaginalis is located in front of the spermatic cord, outside it.


Clinical significance

The spermatic cord is sensitive to torsion, in which the testicle rotates within its sac and blocks its own blood supply. Testicular torsion may result in irreversible damage to the testicle within hours. A collection of serous fluid in the spermatic cord is named 'funiculocele'. The contents of the
abdominal cavity The abdominal cavity is a large body cavity in humans and many other animals that contain Organ (anatomy), organs. It is a part of the abdominopelvic cavity. It is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity. Its dome-shaped roo ...
may protrude into the inguinal canal, producing an indirect inguinal hernia Varicose veins of the spermatic cord are referred to as
varicocele A varicocele is an abnormal enlargement of the pampiniform venous plexus in the scrotum; in a woman, it is an abnormal painful swelling to the List of related male and female reproductive organs, embryologically identical pampiniform venous plexu ...
. Though often asymptomatic, about one in four people with varicocele have negatively affected fertility.


Additional images

File:Gray549.png, The left femoral triangle File:Gray1144.png, The scrotum File:Gray1148.png, The right testis, exposed by laying open the tunica vaginalis File:Spermatic cord 3.jpg, Spermatic cord File:Slide1eee.JPG, Spermatic cord File:Slide2por.JPG, Superficial veins oflower limb. Superficial dissection. Anterior view.


References


External links

* * * () {{Authority control Mammal male reproductive system