Scrotum, Spermatic Cord and Testis

Question 1

Name the three coverings of the spermatic cord and what they are derived from.

Answer 1

1. internal spermatic fascia - derived from transversalis fascia 2. cremasteric fascia - derived from fascia of the internal oblique muscle 3. external spermatic fascia - derived from external oblique aponeurosis

Question 2

What is the function of the cremasteric muscle and what nerve innervates it?

Answer 2

to reflexively draw the testis superiorly in the scrotum (particularly in response to cold - in warm environment, the cremaster relaxes and the testis descends into the scrotum) Innervated by the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve (L1, L2)

Question 3

What nerve innervates the area of skin that is stroked when eliciting the cremasteric reflex?

Answer 3

the ilio-inguinal nerve

Question 4

What are the differences between a direct and indirect inguinal hernia?

Answer 4

Direct: acquired; weakness of anterior abdominal wall; less common; lies outside the inner 1-2 fascial coverings of cord; passes through or around inguinal canal external & parallel to vestige of processus vaginalis; rarely enters scrotum Indirect: congenital; patency of processus vaginalis; more common; covered by all 3 fascial layers of cord; traverses inguinal canal within processus vaginalis; commonly passes into scrotum

Question 5

What are the 5 ligaments of the inguinal region?

Answer 5

1. inguinal ligament (of Poupart) 2. iliopubic tract 3. lacunar ligament (of Gimbernaut) 4. pectineal ligament (of Cooper) 5. conjoined tendon

Question 6

What are the contents of the spermatic cord?

Answer 6

1. ductus deferens 2. artery of ductus deferens (branch of inferior vesicle artery) 3. testicular artery 4. pampiniform plexus 5. sympathetic fibers 6. genital branch of genitofemoral nerve

Question 7

What are the 2 + 2 + 2 = 6 layers of the scrotum?

Answer 7

skin Dartos fascia external spermatic fascia cremasteric muscle internal spermatic fascia tunica vaginalis