Spermatic cord

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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 vas deferens and surrounding tissue that run from the abdomen down to each testicle.

Contents of spermatic cord

• arteries: testicular artery, deferential artery, cremasteric artery
• nerves: nerve to cremaster (genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve) , sympathetic nerves
• vas deferens
• pampiniform plexus
• lymphatic vessels
• processus vaginalis (remains of)

Coverings

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

Clinical significance

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 spermatic cord, producing an indirect inguinal hernia.

Additional images

The left femoral triangle.

The scrotum.

The right testis, exposed by laying open the tunica vaginalis.

External links

• SUNY Figs 36:01-00 - "The inguinal canal and derivation of the layers of the spermatic cord."
• SUNY Anatomy Image 7509
• Cross section at UV pembody/body18b
• Cross section at UV pelvis/pelvis-e12-15
• Norman/Georgetown inguinalregion (spermaticcord)

v • d • e Male reproductive system
Scrotum	layers (skin, Dartos, External spermatic fascia, Cremaster/Cremasteric fascia, Internal spermatic fascia) • Perineal raphe • Spermatic cord
Testes	layers (Tunica vaginalis, Tunica albuginea, Tunica vasculosa testis) • Appendix • Mediastinum • Lobules • Septa • Leydig cell • Sertoli cell • Blood-testis barrier
Spermatogenesis	Spermatogonium • Spermatocytogenesis • Spermatocyte • Spermatidogenesis • Spermatid • Spermiogenesis • Spermatozoon
seminal tract	Seminiferous tubules (Tubuli seminiferi recti, Rete testis, Efferent ducts) • Epididymis  (Appendix) • Vas deferens (Ampulla) • Ejaculatory duct
urinary tract	Internal urethral orifice • Urethra (Prostatic, Intermediate, Spongy, Navicular fossa) • External urethral orifice
accessory glands	Seminal vesicles  (Excretory duct of seminal gland) • Prostate  (Urethral crest/Seminal colliculus/Prostatic utricle/Ejaculatory duct, Prostatic sinus/Prostatic ducts) • Bulbourethral glands
Penis	root (Crus, Bulb, Fundiform ligament, Suspensory ligament) • body (Corpus cavernosum, Corpus spongiosum) • glans (Foreskin, Frenulum, Corona) • fascia (superficial/subcutaneous, deep/Buck's) • Tunica albuginea - Septum of the penis

de:Samenstrang fr:Cordon spermatique ja:精索 nl:Zaadstrengsimple:Spermatic cord

Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content

Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .