Spermatic cord
| Spermatic cord | |
|---|---|
 The spermatic cord in theinguinal canal(label for spermatic cord in lower right) | |
| Details | |
| Artery | Testicular artery |
| Vein | Pampiniform plexus |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | funiculus spermaticus |
| MeSH | D013085 |
| TA98 | A09.3.04.001 |
| TA2 | 3615 |
| FMA | 19937 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Thespermatic cordis the cord-like structure in males formed by thevas deferens(ductus deferens) and surrounding tissue that runs from thedeep inguinal ringdown to eachtesticle.Itsserosalcovering, thetunica vaginalis,is an extension of theperitoneumthat passes through thetransversalis 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[edit]
The spermatic cord is ensheathed in three layers of tissue:
- external spermatic fascia,an extension of theinnominate fasciathat overlies theaponeurosisof theexternal oblique muscle.[1]
- cremasteric muscleand fascia,formed from a continuation of theinternal oblique muscleand its fascia.[1]
- internal spermatic fascia,continuous with thetransversalis fascia.[1]
The normal diameter of the spermatic cord is about 16 mm (range 11 to 22 mm).[2]It is located behind thetunica vaginalis.[3]
Contents[edit]
Blood vessels[edit]
Nerves[edit]
- Nerve to cremaster (genital branchof thegenitofemoral nerve).
- Testicular nerves (sympatheticnerves).
Theilioinguinal nerveis not actually located inside the spermatic cord, but runs outside it in theinguinal canal.
Other contents[edit]
Thetunica vaginalisis located in front of the spermatic cord, outside it.[3]
Clinical significance[edit]
The spermatic cord is sensitive totorsion,in which the testicle rotates within its sac and blocks its own blood supply.Testicular torsionmay result in irreversible damage to the testicle within hours. A collection ofserous fluidin the spermatic cord is named 'funiculocele'.
The contents of theabdominal cavitymay protrude into the inguinal canal, producing anindirect inguinal hernia
Varicose veins of the spermatic cord are referred to asvaricocele.Though often asymptomatic, about one in four people with varicocele have negatively affected fertility.[4]
Additional images[edit]
-
The leftfemoral triangle -
The scrotum -
The right testis, exposed by laying open thetunica vaginalis -
Spermatic cord -
Spermatic cord -
Superficial veins oflower limb. Superficial dissection. Anterior view.
References[edit]
- ^abcdefghiLiu, Longfei (2019). "Chapter 1 - Applied Anatomy of the Scrotum and its Contents".Scrotoscopic Surgery.Academic Press.pp. 1–8.doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-815008-5.00001-7.ISBN978-0-12-815008-5.S2CID81721236.
- ^Firoozabadi R, Stafford P, Routt M (2015)."Risk of Spermatic Cord Injury During Anterior Pelvic Ring and Acetabular Surgery: An Anatomical Study".Arch Bone Jt Surg.3(4): 269–73.PMC4628634.PMID26550592.
- ^abYin, Zhuo; Meng, Xianxi (2019)."Chapter 4 - General Techniques of Scrotoscopic Surgery".Scrotoscopic Surgery.Academic Press.pp. 23–53.doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-815008-5.00004-2.ISBN978-0-12-815008-5.S2CID81292862.
- ^"Learn About Varicocele Treatment".VARICOCELE HEALING.Archivedfrom the original on 2 February 2014.Retrieved25 April2018.
External links[edit]
- Cross section image: pembody/body18b—Plastination Laboratory at the Medical University of Vienna
- Cross section image: pelvis/pelvis-e12-15—Plastination Laboratory at the Medical University of Vienna
- inguinalregionat The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (spermaticcord)
