Reproductive: Descent of testes, normal anatomy, abnormalities Flashcards
What is the descent of the testes a result of?
processus vaginalis
Define processes vaginalis
evagination of parietal peritoneum descending through inguinal canal during fetal life
Define tunica vaginalis
patent remnant of processus vaginalis covering anterior and lateral parts of testis
Define hydrocele
accumulation of serous fluid in tunica vaginalis or persistent part of processus vaginalis in cord
What forms the inguinal canal?
4 of the 8 layers of the anterior abdominal wall
What 3 layers making up the inguinal canal make give rise to spermatic fasciae (external to internal)?
External oblique fascia;
internal oblique muscle, cremaster muscle, fascia;
transversalis fascia
What covers the testis and spermatic cord?
spermatic fascia
What does the spermatic cord contain?
Ductus deferens; testicular artery; artery to ductus deferens; pampiniform plexus of testicular vein; testicular vein; lymphatic vessels
What is different about the right and left testicular veins?
Right drains into IVC;
Left drains into Left renal vein
Function of ductus deferens
conveys sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory duct in male pelvis
Where does the testicular artery branch from the aorta?
L2-L3 vertebrae
Where does the artery to the ductus deferens branch from?
internal iliac artery
What do the lymphatic vessels in the spermatic cord drain and where directly?
drain testis that sends the lymph through inguinal canal directly to LUMBAR NODES in posterior abdominal wall
What controls the cremasteric reflex?
utilizes sensory and motor fibers in ventral ramus of L1 spinal nerve
Where can sensory deficits be felt of the ilioinguinal nerve?
stroking the skin of the superior and medial thigh stimulates sensory fibers
What causes the cremaster muscle to contract? what is the result?
motor fibers from genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve => elevate testes
Define cryptorchidism
Failure of normal descent of intra-abdominal testes into scrotum
Most common location of cryptorchid testis
inguinal canal => most common right side => unilateral or bilateral
Will cryptorchid testis be able to procreate?
if bilateral then no => infertile
unilateral then yes
patients suffering from cryptochidism have an increased incidence of what?
testicular cancer even if repositioned within scrotum
Etiology of torsion of the testis
sudden movement, trauma, congenital anomalies causing twisting of spermatic cord
Torsion of testis may lead to what?
compromising arterial supply and venous drainage
How will a patient present suffering from torsion of testes?
sudden onset of testicular pain and loss of cremasteric reflex
If not corrected early, what may manifest from torsion of testis?
testicular infarction
If a hydrocele occurs later in life, what is often the cause?
inflammatory causes such as epididymitis
What is the result of a hydrocele?
fluid-filled cyst near testes
What causes a caricocele?
dilatations of tributaries of testicular vein in pampiniform plexus
When can varicoceles be detected?
varicoceles of pampiniform plexus observed when patient is STANDING => disappear when lying down
What is a spermatocele
retension cyst containing sperm in rete testes or head of epididymis
