The Spermatic Cord Flashcards
Where is the spermatic cord formed?
At the deep ring of the inguinal canal
Where does the spermatic cord enter the scrotum?
Via the superficial inguinal ring
What are the three fascial coverings of the spermatic cord?
external spermatic fascia, cremaster muscle and fascia, internal spermatic fascia
Which fascia is derived from the transversalis fascia?
internal spermatic fascia
which fascia is derived from deep subcutaneous fascia?
external spermatic fascia
what is the cremaster muscle and fascia derived from?
internal oblique muscle and its fascia
Which blood vessels are found in the spermatic cord?
testicular artery, cremaster artery and vein, artery to the vans deferens, pampiniform plexus of testicular veins
Which nerves are found in the spermatic cord?
Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, autonomic nerves
Which other vessels are found in the spermatic cord?
Vans deferens, processus vaginalis, lymph vessels
which artery supplies the cremaster muscle and fascia?
cremaster artery
which nerve supplies the cremaster muscle?
Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve
Describe the vans deferens
the duct that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ampulla (a dilated terminal part of the duct), ready for ejaculation.
Describe the processus vaginalis
projection of peritoneum that forms the pathway of descent for the testes during embryonic development. In the adult, it is fused shut.
Which structure acts as a heat exchanger, to keep the testes just beneath body temperature, and how?
The pampiniform plexus. It wraps around the testicular artery, cooling the arterial blood before it reaches the testes
