Spermatic cord

Spermatic cord
Anatomy of the human male reproductive system
The spermatic cord in the inguinal canal (label for spermatic cord in lower right)
Details
Identifiers
LatinFuniculus spermaticus
MeSHD013085
TA98A09.3.04.001
TA23615
FMA19937
Anatomical terminology

The spermatic cord is the cord-like structure in males formed by the vas deferens (ductus deferens) and surrounding tissue that runs from the deep inguinal ring down to each testicle. Its serosal covering, the tunica vaginalis, is an extension of the peritoneum that passes through the transversalis 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 vas deferens, its vessels, nerves etc. There is one on each side.

Structure

The spermatic cord is ensheathed in three layers of tissue:

The normal diameter of the spermatic cord is about 16 mm (range 11 to 22 mm).[2] It is located behind the tunica vaginalis.[3]

Contents

Blood vessels

Nerves

The ilioinguinal nerve is not actually located inside the spermatic cord, but runs outside it in the inguinal canal.

Other contents

The tunica vaginalis is located in front of the spermatic cord, outside it.[3]

Clinical significance

The spermatic cord is sensitive to torsion, in which the testicle rotates within its sac and blocks its own blood supply. Testicular torsion may result in irreversible damage to the testicle within hours. A collection of serous fluid in the spermatic cord is named 'funiculocele'.

The contents of the abdominal cavity may protrude into the inguinal canal, producing an indirect inguinal hernia

Varicose veins of the spermatic cord are referred to as varicocele. Though often asymptomatic, about one in four people with varicocele have negatively affected fertility.[4]

Additional images

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Liu, 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. ISBN 978-0-12-815008-5.
  2. ↑ 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. PMC 4628634. PMID 26550592.
  3. 1 2 Yin, 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. ISBN 978-0-12-815008-5.
  4. ↑ "Learn About Varicocele Treatment". VARICOCELE HEALING. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
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