contents of spermatic cord, Pampiniform Plexus, Vas Deferens Flashcards
what are the contents of the spermatic cord?
testicular artery Cremasteric artery and vein Artery to the vas deferens Pampiniform plexus of testicular veins Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve Vas deferens Lymph vessels Processus vaginalis Autonomic nerves
what is testicular artery a branch of?
a branch of the aorta
where does testicular artery arise?
just inferiorly to the renal arteries
what do the Cremasteric artery and vein supply?
supplies the cremasteric fascia and muscle
what is Artery to the vas deferens a branch of?
a branch of the inferior vesicle artery
where does Artery to the vas deferens arise from?
the internal iliac
what does the Pampiniform plexus of testicular veins drain?
drains venous blood from the testes into the testicular vein
what does the Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve supply?
supplies the cremaster muscle
what is the vas deferens?
duct that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts, ready for ejaculation
where do the lymph vessels of the scrotum drain into? location?
the para-aortic nodes, located in the lumbar region
what is processes vaginalis?
a projection of peritoneum that forms the pathway of descent for the testes during embryonic development
how do the processes vaginalis present in adults?
In the adult, it is fused shut
what is the pampiniform plexus?
a network of veins, responsible for the venous drainage of the testes
location of pampiniform plexus?
wrapping itself around the testicular artery
when do the testes function best?
at a temperature just below that of the body
what is the function of the pampiniform plexus?
acts as a heat exchanger, cooling the arterial blood before it reaches the testes
where does the pampiniform plexus travel through?
through the inguinal canal
what happens as the pampiniform plexus travels through the inguinal canal?
the pampiniform plexus condenses into a single testicular vein
where does the right testicular vein drain into?
inferior vena cava
where does the left testicular vein drain into?
left renal vein
what is the vas deferens?
a straight, thick muscular tube
function of the vas deferens?
conveys sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct
what is vas deferens formed by?
the convergence of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle duct
after sperm has been passed from epididymis –> vas deferens –> ejaculatory duct, where does it then pass to?
From the ejaculatory duct, sperm can pass through to the urethra
what do the wall of the vas deferens contain?
a smooth muscle coat
how many layers are there to the smooth muscle coat of wall of vas deferens and what are they?
3 layers:
inner layer of longitudinal muscle
intermediate layer of circular muscle
outer layer of longitudinal muscle
what is the innervation to the SM coat o wall of vas deferns?
There is a rich autonomic innervation of these muscle fibres
what does the rich autonomic innervation of SM fibres of vas deferens allow for?
permits fast movement of sperm towards the ejaculatory duct
what is the vas deferens continuous with?
tail of the epididymis
where does vas deferens travel through?
the inguinal canal
where does vas deferens move through?
lateral pelvic wall in close proximity to the ischial spine
what happens after vas deferens has moved through lateral pelvic wall in close proximity to the ischial spine?
Turns medially to pass between the bladder and the urethra
what happens after the vas deferens has turned medially to pass between the bladder and the urethra?
Joins the duct from the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct
