Exam #4: Inguinal Canal

Question 1

Why are the testes outside of the body?

Answer 1

1) Sperm production is more effective at lower temperatures

2) Sperm are “re-activated” by entering a warm enviornment

Question 2

Describe the layers of the fascia & muscles surrounding the testes from inside to outside.

Answer 2

• Tunica Albugenia
• Visceral Layer of the Tunica Vaginalis
• Parietal Layer of Tunica Vaginalis
• Internal Spermatic Fascia
• Cremaster Muscle & Fascia
• External Spermatic Fascia
• Dartos Fascia

Question 3

What is the tunica albugenia?

Answer 3

Tough white fibrous covering on the testicle

Question 4

Where are sperm formed?

Answer 4

Seminiferous tubules

Question 5

Where are sperm stored?

Answer 5

Epididymis

Question 6

What carries sperm from the epididymis to the urethra?

Answer 6

Ductus (vas) Deferens

Question 7

Describe the path that sperm takes from the seminiferous tubules to the penis.

Answer 7

• Seminiferous tubules
• Straight tubules
• Rete testes
• Efferent ductules
• Epididymis (head, body, & tail)
• Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens)
• Urethra
• Penis

Question 8

What fascial layer forms the deep ring?

Answer 8

Transversalis fascia

Question 9

What fascial layer forms the superficial ring?

Answer 9

External oblique fascia

Question 10

What three abdominal muscle layers form the arches of the inguinal canal? Which are pierced by the spermatic cord & which is not?

Answer 10

• Transversus abdominus (NOT pierced by the spermatic cord)
• Internal oblique
• External oblique

Question 11

Developmentally, what pulls the testis through the body wall?

Answer 11

Gubernaculum

Question 12

What does the parietal peritoneum become in the spermatic cord?

Answer 12

Tunica vaginalis

Question 13

What does the transversalis fascia become in the spermatic cord?

Answer 13

Inner spermatic fascia

Question 14

What does the transversus abdominus become in the spermatic cord?

Answer 14

Nothing

Question 15

What does the internal oblique become in the spermatic cord?

Answer 15

Cremasteric muscle & fascia

Question 16

What does the external oblique become in the spermatic cord?

Answer 16

External spermatic fascia

Question 17

What does Scarpa’s fascia become in the spermatic cord?

Answer 17

Dartos muscle & fascia

Question 18

What does Camper’s fascia become in the spermatic cord?

Answer 18

Nothing

Question 19

What does the skin of the abdominal wall become?

Answer 19

Skin of the scrotum

Question 20

What are the borders of the inguinal canal?

Answer 20

• Anterior= aponeurosis of external oblique m.
• Floor= inguinal ligament (from external oblique)
• Floor Medially= lacunar ligament
• Posteriorly= trasnversalis fascia
• Posterior Medially= conjoint tendon (fused aponeurosis of the internal oblique & tranverse abdominis)

Question 21

How do the functions of the cremaster muscle & dartos muscle differ?

Answer 21

Cremaster m.= pulls testicles into body

Dartos m.= wrinkles the scrotum

Question 22

What artery oxygenates the testicles? What artery does it branch from?

Answer 22

Testicular artery, a branch off the aorta

Question 23

What artery oxygenates the cremaster m.? What artery does it branch from?

Answer 23

Cremaster artery, a branch off the inferior epigastric artery

Question 24

What artery oxygenates the ductus deferens? What artery does it branch from?

Answer 24

Ductus deferens artery, a branch off the inferior vesicular artery

Question 25

What is the pampiniform plexus?

Answer 25

Venous network formed by ~12 veins that functions to cool the blood in the testicles (counter-current heat exchange)

Question 26

What nerve innervates the pyramidalis m.?

Answer 26

Subcostal (T12)

Question 27

What nerve innervates the cremaster m.?

Answer 27

Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve

Question 28

What nerve innervates the dartos m.?

Answer 28

Sympathetics running with the ilioinguinal & posterior scrotal nerves

Question 29

What artery is homologous to the Testicular Artery, which is present in females? Does this artery pass through the inguinal canal?

Answer 29

Ovarian Artery; NO

Question 30

What is the difference between the right & left testicular veins?

Answer 30

Right drains into the IVC | Left drains into the left renal artery

Question 31

In females, what does the gubernaculum become?

Answer 31

``` Cranially= ovarian ligament Caudally= round ligament ```

Question 32

Describe the formation of the inguinal canal in males.

Answer 32

- Begins during the 7th week of development - Projection of parietal peritoneum called the processus vaginalis begins to invaginate through the body wall next to the gubernaculum - As the body grows, the gubernaculum is pulled down - 8th month, testicle is starting into the inguinal canal but the scrotum is empty - 9th month, testicles descend into the scrotum

Question 33

Direct Hernia

Answer 33

- Hernia through an acquired weakening in the body wall - Through Hasselbach's triangle - Goes through superficial ring but NOT into spermatic cord

Question 34

Indirect Hernia

Answer 34

- Hernia through weak processes vaginalis INTO spermatic cord - More common in younger males

Question 35

Femoral Hernia

Answer 35

Hernia below the inguinal ligament where the femoral vessels push through

Question 36

Hydrocele/ Hematocele

Answer 36

Serous fluid or blood build up in the tunica vaginalis

Question 37

Sebaceous cyst

Answer 37

General condition of cyst within the epidermis; often related to infection of a hair follicle

Question 38

Spermatocele

Answer 38

Cyst within the head of the epididymis; patient may confuse for testicular cancer

Question 39

Cryptorchidism

Answer 39

Failure of testes to properly descend; more common in premature babies (9th month descent of testicles)

Question 40

Monorchidism

Answer 40

Single testicle

Question 41

Polyorchidism

Answer 41

More than 2 testicles

Question 42

Ectopic testes

Answer 42

Testes that deviate from the normal path & lodge somewhere in the abdominal cavity

Question 43

Vasectomy

Answer 43

Vas Deferens is cut & can be tied or not