Scrotum Flashcards
What is the scrotum?
Outpouching of the anterior abdominal wall
How does the scrotum maintain a temperature below body temperature?
By radiating heat by its thin skin and lack of fat
What three things does the scrotum contain?
Testes, epididymis, lower part of the spermatic cord
What is the function of the dartos (smooth) muscle?
Autonomic control of temperature regulation
The dartos muscle derives from what layer of the anterior abdominal wall?
Subcutaneous tissue, superficial and deep fascia
The tunica vaginalis is a derivation of what layer of the anterior abdominal wall?
Peritoneum
Which layer of the tunica vaginalis is superficial and lies internal to the internal spermatic fascia?
Parietal layer
Which layer of the tunica vaginalis is deep and is firmly adherent to the testis and epididymis?
Visceral layer
What is a hydrocele?
Accumulation of fluid in the tunica vaginalis cavity
The testis have what two types of functioning?
Gametogenic and endocrine
What are the two specific functions of the testes?
Production of spermatozoa and secretion of androgens
What is the fibrous outer covering of the testis called?
Tunica albuginea
Where is the tunica albuginea located?
Deep to the visceral layer of the tunica vaginalis which is the deepest layer of the scrotum
What are the numerous wedge shaped portions of the testis called?
Lobules
What is the fibrous compartment in the posterior part of the testis where the septa converge?
Mediastinum testis
What are the seminiferous tubules?
Functional, sperm producing portion of the testis
Each lobule contains about how many seminiferous tubules?
2-3
What is the rete testis?
An elaborate network of canals located within the mediastinum testis into which the straight tubules empty
What are the efferent ductules?
Ducts which connect the rete testis to the head of the epididymis
What is the epididymis?
A C-shaped structured attached to the superior and posterior aspect of the testis
What is the function of the epididymis?
To store sperm until they mature
What part of the epididymis is connected to the superior surface of the testis by the efferent ductules?
Head
What part of the epididymis is located along the posterior surface of the testis?
Body
What part of the epididymis ends in the ductus deferens?
Tail
Where is the first place that testicular cancer spreads?
Abdomen
Where does lymph from the testis drain?
Into the lumbar nodes
Where does lymph from the scrotum drain?
Into the superficial inguinal nodes
Where do the testes originally develop?
In the lumbar region inside the abdominal cavity
When do the testes usually descend through the inguinal canal into the scrotum?
Just before birth
What is the name of the ligament present in the fetus which connects the testis to the scrotum?
Gubernaculum testis
What is the function of the gubernaculum testis?
Contracts to pull the testis downward and through the inguinal canal during its descent
What is cryptorchidism?
The absence of one or both testes from the scrotum at birth due to lack of descent from the abdomen
The testes are undescended at birth in what percent of full term infants?
3%
The testes are undescended at birth in what percent of premature infants?
30%
What is the link between undescended testes and cancer?
Greater risk of cancer
Is cryptorchidism typically bilateral or unilateral?
Unilateral
Where are undescended testes most commonly found?
In the inguinal canal
When do most initially undescended testes finally make their descent?
In the first weeks or months after birth
What are the results of testes that never descend?
Infertility (but unimpaired androgen secretion)
What is the treatment for cryptorchidism?
Testosterone