HFF: Abdominal wall & descent of testis

Question 1

What are the numbered structures?

Answer 1

1. Spermatic cord
2. Pampiniform Plexus
3. Ductus deferens
4. Tunica vaginalis (visceral and parietal)

Question 2

What is the pampiniform plexus and what does it do?

Answer 2

•Pampiniform plexus: consists of several tortuous veins that wrap around the testicular artery. Acts as a heat sink to cool the blood of the testicular artery.

Question 3

What protects the testes from the cold?

Answer 3

cremaster and dartos muscles

Question 4

Where does the testicular artery arise from?

Answer 4

•Arises from the aorta at the level of L2.

Question 5

What is a hydrocele?

Answer 5

An accumulation of serous fluid in the tunica vaginalis in the scrotum.

Question 6

What is a varicocele?

Answer 6

•Abnormal enlargement of the pampiniform plexus in the scrotum.

Question 7

What is cryptorchidism?

Why is it scary?

Answer 7

• Failure of testes to descend into the scrotum.
• Increased risk of cancer, infertility

Question 8

What is a gubernaculum? (besides a super awesome sounding word)

What does it do?

What does it become?

Answer 8

Ligamentous structure extending from the testis to the scrotum

It helps to direct the descent of the testes

It becomes the scrotal ligament between the testis and scrotal skin.

Question 9

What is the processus vaginalis?

Answer 9

Abdominal cavity peritoneum that pushes out through inguinal region ahead of testis

Question 10

What structures does the processus vaginalis form?

Answer 10

Forms:

1) inguinal canal
2) deep (transversalis fascia) inguinal ring
3) superficial (EO) inguinal ring

Question 11

Normally, the processus vaginalis is obliterated except in the scrotum in front of the testis where it persists as a cavity called the ________ ___________.

If it is NOT obliterated and remains open this promotes an _________ _________ _________.

Answer 11

Normally, the processus vaginalis is obliterated except in the scrotum in front of the testis where it persists as a cavity called the tunica vaginalis.

If it is NOT obliterated and remains open this promotes an indirect/congenital inguinal hernia.

Question 12

Gonads form on the __________ ___________ _____. They descend to the pelvis where the ________ stop in a female and in a male the descent is continued to the _________.

Answer 12

Gonads form on the posterior abdominal wall. They descend to the pelvis where the ovaries stop in a female and in a male the descent is continued to the scrotum