The spermatic cord is the cord-like structure in males formed by the

vas deferens The vas deferens or ductus deferens is part of the male reproductive system of many vertebrates. The ducts transport sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts in anticipation of ejaculation. The vas deferens is a partially coiled tube ...

(''ductus deferens'') and surrounding tissue that runs from the

deep inguinal ring The inguinal canals are the two passages in the anterior abdominal wall of humans and animals which in males convey the spermatic cords and in females the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are larger and more prominent in males. ...

down to each

testicle A testicle or testis (plural testes) is the male reproductive gland or gonad in all bilaterians, including humans. It is homologous to the female ovary. The functions of the testes are to produce both sperm and androgens, primarily testostero ...

. Its

serosal The serous membrane (or serosa) is a smooth membrane, tissue membrane of mesothelium lining the contents and inner walls of body cavity, body cavities, which secrete serous fluid to allow lubricated sliding (motion), sliding movements between op ...

covering, the

tunica vaginalis The tunica vaginalis is the pouch of serous membrane that covers the testes. It is derived from the vaginal process of the peritoneum, which in the fetus precedes the descent of the testes from the abdomen into the scrotum. After its descent, ...

, 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 mesoth ...

that passes through the

transversalis fascia The transversalis fascia (or transverse fascia) is a thin aponeurotic membrane of the abdomen. It lies between the inner surface of the transverse abdominal muscle and the parietal peritoneum. It forms part of the general layer of fascia lining ...

. 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 The external spermatic fascia (intercrural or intercolumnar fascia) is a thin membrane, prolonged downward around the surface of the spermatic cord and testis. It is separated from the dartos tunic by loose areolar tissue. It is occasionally referr ...

'', an extension of the innominate fascia that overlies the

aponeurosis An aponeurosis (; plural: ''aponeuroses'') is a type or a variant of the deep fascia, in the form of a sheet of pearly-white fibrous tissue that attaches sheet-like muscles needing a wide area of attachment. Their primary function is to join musc ...

of the

external oblique muscle The abdominal external oblique muscle (also external oblique muscle, or exterior oblique) is the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen. Structure The external oblique is situated on the lateral ...

. * ''

cremasteric muscle The cremaster muscle is a paired structure made of thin layers of striated and smooth muscle that covers the testis and the spermatic cord in human males. It consists of the lateral and medial parts. Cremaster is an involuntary muscle, responsibl ...

and fascia'', formed from a continuation of the

internal oblique muscle The abdominal internal oblique muscle, also internal oblique muscle or interior oblique, is an abdominal muscle in the abdominal wall that lies below the external oblique muscle and just above the transverse abdominal muscle. Structure Its fibe ...

and its fascia. * ''

internal spermatic fascia The internal spermatic fascia (infundibuliform fascia, or Le deuxième fascia de Webster) is a thin layer, which loosely invests the spermatic cord. Structure The internal spermatic fascia is derived from the transversalis fascia. It is acquir ...

'', continuous with the

. The normal diameter of the spermatic cord is about 16 mm (range 11 to 22 mm). It is located behind the

Blood vessels

Testicular artery The testicular artery (the male gonadal artery, also called the internal spermatic arteries in older texts) is a branch of the abdominal aorta that supplies blood to the testis. It is a paired artery, with one for each of the testes. It is the ...

. *

Artery to the ductus deferens The artery to the ductus deferens (deferential artery) is an artery in males that provides blood to the ductus deferens. Course The artery arises from the superior vesical artery or the inferior vesical artery, which in turn arises from the anteri ...

. *

Cremasteric artery The cremasteric artery (external spermatic artery) is a branch of the inferior epigastric artery which accompanies the spermatic cord to supply the cremaster muscle as well as other coverings of the spermatic cord in the male (whereas in the female ...

Nerves

* Nerve to cremaster (

genital branch The genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, also known as the external spermatic nerve in males, is a nerve in the abdomen that arises from the genitofemoral nerve. The genital branch supplies the cremaster muscle and anterior scrotal skin in m ...

of the

genitofemoral nerve The genitofemoral nerve refers to a nerve that is found in the abdomen. Its branches, the genital branch and femoral branch supply sensation to the upper anterior thigh, as well as the skin of the anterior scrotum in males and mons pubis in femal ...

) *Testicular nerves ( sympathetic nerves). The

ilioinguinal nerve The ilioinguinal nerve is a branch of the first lumbar nerve (L1). It separates from the first lumbar nerve along with the larger iliohypogastric nerve. It emerges from the lateral border of the psoas major just inferior to the iliohypogastric, an ...

is not actually located inside the spermatic cord, but runs outside it in the

inguinal canal The inguinal canals are the two passages in the anterior abdominal wall of humans and animals which in males convey the spermatic cords and in females the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are larger and more prominent in males. T ...

Clinical significance

The spermatic cord is sensitive to

torsion Torsion may refer to: Science * Torsion (mechanics), the twisting of an object due to an applied torque * Torsion of spacetime, the field used in Einstein–Cartan theory and ** Alternatives to general relativity * Torsion angle, in chemistry Bi ...

, in which the testicle rotates within its sac and blocks its own blood supply.

Testicular torsion Testicular torsion occurs when the spermatic cord (from which the testicle is suspended) twists, cutting off the blood supply to the testicle. The most common symptom in children is sudden, severe testicular pain. The testicle may be higher than ...

may result in irreversible damage to the testicle within hours. A collection of

serous fluid In physiology, serous fluid or serosal fluid (originating from the Medieval Latin word ''serosus'', from Latin ''serum'') is any of various body fluids resembling Serum (blood), serum, that are typically pale yellow or transparent and of a benign ...

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 contains many organs. It is a part of the abdominopelvic cavity. It is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity. Its dome-shaped roof is the th ...

may protrude into the inguinal canal, producing an

indirect inguinal hernia An inguinal hernia is a hernia (protrusion) of abdominal cavity, abdominal-cavity contents through the inguinal canal. Symptoms, which may include pain or discomfort especially with or following coughing, exercise, or bowel movements, are absent ...

Varicose veins of the spermatic cord are referred to as

varicocele varicocele is an abnormal enlargement of the pampiniform venous plexus in the scrotum. This plexus of veins drains blood from the testicles back to the heart. The vessels originate in the abdomen and course down through the inguinal canal as part ...

. Though often asymptomatic, about one in four people with varicocele have negatively affected fertility.

Additional images

Image:Gray549.png, The left

femoral triangle The femoral triangle (or Scarpa's triangle) is an anatomical region of the upper third of the thigh. It is a subfascial space which appears as a triangular depression below the inguinal ligament when the thigh is flexed, abducted and laterally rot ...

Image:Gray1144.png, The scrotum. Image:Gray1148.png, The right testis, exposed by laying open the

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

* - "The inguinal canal and derivation of the layers of the spermatic cord." * * * * () {{Authority control Mammal male reproductive system