Scrotum Flashcards
what is the scrotum?
a fibromuscular cutaneous sac
where is the scrotum located?
between the penis and anus
how is the scrotum like?
dual-chambered
what does the scrotum form?
an expansion of the perineum
Embryologically, where is the scrotum derived from?
the genital swellings
during developement (embryologically), what happens to the genital swellings?
the genital swellings fuse in the midline
what is the fusion of the genital swellings marked by in adults?
by the scrotal raphe
what is the scrotum biologically homologous to in females?
labia majora
what does the scrotum consist of?
3 major paired structures:
testis
epididymis
spermatic cord
what is the function of the testis?
site of sperm production
where is the epididymis?
situated at the head of each testicle
function of epididymis?
a storage reservoir for sperm
what is the spermatic cord?
a collection of muscle fibres, vessels, nerves and ducts that run to and from the testes
what else is also located within the scrotum?
muscle fibres
dartos muscle
what is the dartos muscle? location?
a sheet of smooth muscle, situated immediately underneath the skin
function of the dartos muscle?
It acts to help regulate the temperature of the scrotum, by wrinkling the skin – this decreases surface area, reducing heat loss
where does the scrotum receives it neurovascular supply from?
the nearby vessels and nerves
how is the neurovascular supply of the scrotum different from the testis?
the testes carry their vessels, nerves and lymph drainage from the abdomen during their development
where does the scrotum receives its arterial supply from?
the anterior and posterior scrotal arteries
where does the anterior scrotal artery arise from?
the external pudendal artery
where does the posterior scrotal artery arise from?
derived from the internal pudendal artery
what do the scrotal veins follow?
follow the major arteries
where do the scrotal veins drain into?
into the external pudendal veins
cutaneous innervation to the scrotum is supplied via?
supplied via several nerves: Genital branch of genitofemoral nerve Anterior scrotal nerves Posterior scrotal nerves Perineal branches of posterior femoral cutaneous nerve
where is the genital branch of genitofemoral nerve derived from?
derived from the femoral plexus
what does the genital branch of genitofemoral nerve supply?
anterolateral aspect of the scrotum
where is the anterior scrotal nerves derived from?
derived from the ilioinguinal nerve
what do the anterior scrotal nerves supply?
anterior aspect of the scrotum
what is the posterior scrotal nerve derived from?
derived from the perineal nerve
what does the posterior scrotal nerve supply?
the posterior aspect of the scrotum
where are the Perineal branches of posterior femoral cutaneous nerve derived from?
derived from the sacral plexus
what does the Perineal branches of posterior femoral cutaneous nerve supply?
the inferior aspect of the scrotum
lymphatic drainage of scrotum?
lymph fluid drains to the nearby superficial inguinal nodes
