Spermatic Cord

Question 1

Describe the spermatic cord.

Answer 1

• begins at the deep inguinal ring and ends at the testis
• covered by 3 concentric layers of fascia derived from the anterior abdominal wall:
  1. external spermatic fascia
  2. cremasteric fascia
  3. internal spermatic fascia

Question 2

Describe the external spermatic fascia.

Answer 2

derived from the external oblique aponeurosis

Question 3

Describe the cremasteric fascia.

Answer 3

• derived from the internal oblique aponeurosis
• can be recognized by the presence of many bundles of muscle fibers, collectively referred to as the cremaster muscle
• the cremaster muscle is derived from the internal oblique muscle

Question 4

What is the origin, insertion, nerve supply, and function of the cremaster muscle?

Answer 4

• O: internal oblique muscle, inguinal ligament, pubic tubercle, pubic crest
• I: spermatic cord
• N: genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve (L1, L2)
• F: retracts testis - temperature regulation of sperm

Question 5

Describe the internal spermatic fascia.

Answer 5

derived from the transversalis fascia

Question 6

What is the hypothesis regarding male fertility?

Answer 6

subluxations of L1 and/or L2 may affect male fertility

Question 7

What structures does the spermatic cord contain?

Answer 7

• ductus deferens
• testicular artery
• pampiniform plexus of veins
  + left testicular vein
  + right testicular vein
• artery to the ductus deferens
• cremasteric artery
• genital branch of genitofemoral nerve
• remnant of processus vaginalis
• autonomic nerves
• lymphatics

Question 8

What is the ductus deferens?

Answer 8

the muscular duct which transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct

Question 9

What is the testicular artery a branch of?

Answer 9

abdominal aorta

Question 10

What is the pampiniform plexus of veins?

Answer 10

• an extensive network of veins which makes up the bulk of the spermatic cord
• join together at the deep inguinal ring to form the testicular vein

Question 11

What is a varicocele?

Answer 11

varicose veins within the pampiniform plexus

Question 12

What are the branches of the pampiniform plexus and what do they drain into?

Answer 12

• Left testicular vein - drains into the renal vein

- Right testicular vein - drains directly into the inferior vena cava

Question 13

What is the artery to the ductus deferens a branch of?

Answer 13

the superior vesical artery

Question 14

What is the cremasteric artery a branch of?

Answer 14

the inferior epigastric artery

Question 15

Where do the lymphatics of the spermatic cord drain?

Answer 15

into the lumbar lymph nodes

Question 16

Describe the ilioinguinal nerve.

Answer 16

• runs through the inguinal canal and superficial inguinal ring
• accompanies the spermatic cord but is not part of it
• in females it accompanies the round ligament of the uterus

Question 17

What are the branches of the ilioinguinal nerve?

Answer 17

• Femoral branch

- Anterior scrotal or anterior labial nerve

Question 18

What does the femoral branch of the ilioinguinal nerve supply?

Answer 18

the upper medial part of the thigh

Question 19

What does the anterior scrotal or anterior labial nerve supply?

Answer 19

• anterior scrotal nerve supplies the root of the penis and anterior part of the scrotum (sensory)
• anterior labial nerve supplies the mons pubis and anterior part of the labia majora (sensory)