| Spermatic cord | |
|---|---|
| Anatomy of the human male reproductive system | |
| The spermatic cord in the inguinal canal. (Label for spermatic cord in lower right.) | |
| Latin | funiculus spermaticus |
| Gray's | subject #258 1239 |
| MeSH | Spermatic+Cord |
The spermatic cord is the name given to the cord-like structure in males formed by the ductus deferens and surrounding tissue that run from the abdomen down to each testicle.
Contents |
The pampiniform plexus, testicular artery, artery of the ductus deferens, lymphatic vessels, testicular nerves, and ductus deferens all run deep to the internal spermatic fascia.[1] The genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve,[1] cremasteric artery, and ilioinguinal nerve all run on the superficial surface of the external spermatic fascia.
The spermatic cord is ensheathed in three layers of tissue:
The spermatic cord is sensitive to torsion, in which the testicle rotates within its sac and kinks off its own blood supply. Testicular torsion may result in irreversible damage to the testicle within hours.
The contents of the abdominal cavity may protrude into the inguinal canal, producing an indirect inguinal hernia.
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