Spermatic Cord and Testis
Spermatic Cord
o Spermatic cords are two rope like structures that are found one on each side of the scrotum
o They contain blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves and muscle fibres that go up to the testes from the abdomen
o The structures that are found in the spermatic cords are: -
o Testicular artery
o Testicular venous plexus (pampiniform plexus)
o Lymph vessels
o Vasdeferens
o Nerves
o Smooth muscle
o Fibrous and connective tissue
The course of the structures
o At the deep inguinal ring the structures in the spermatic cord diverge: the vas deferens goes towards the seminal vesicles which are situated behind the urinary bladder; the vessels go towards the midline behind.
The spermatic cord suspends the testis in the scrotum
o The testicular artery is a branch of abdominal aorta
o The nerve supply is by branches from the 10th and 11th thoracic nerves.
Applied anatomy
Vasectomy - skin and cord - local anaesthesis - vas deferens isolated - a small length excised
The Testis
- reproductive glands of the male.
- Situated in scrotum
- The scrotum is in front of the upper parts of the thigh and behind the penis
- Suspended in the scrotum by spermatic cords
coverings of the testis
- Outer – tunica vaginalis
- Middle – tunica albugenia – fibrous
- Inner – tunica vasculosa
- Convoluted loops composed of germinal epithelial cells – called seminiferous tubules. Produce – sperms
Epididymis
- collects sperms from the testes
- Situated posterolateral to the testis
- Has a head and body
- Continues as vas deferens
Vas deferens
A tubular structure which transmits the sperms to the prostatic urethra
Applied Anatomy
Fluid collection between the tunica vaginalis and the tunica albugenia - called Vaginal hydrocele
