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The spermatic cord is the name given to the cord-like structure in males formed by the vas deferens
Vas deferens

The vas deferens , also called ductus deferens, is part of the male anatomy of some species; they transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation....
 and surrounding tissue that run from the abdomen
Abdomen

In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity....
 down to each testicle
Testicle

The testicle is the male gonad in animals. This article will concentrate on mammalian testicles unless otherwise noted.The etymology of the word is somewhat colorfully based on Roman law....
.


spermatic cord is ensheathed in three layers of tissue:

spermatic cord is sensitive to torsion
Torque

Torque is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis . Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
, in which the testicle rotates within its sac and kinks off its own blood supply.






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The spermatic cord is the name given to the cord-like structure in males formed by the vas deferens
Vas deferens

The vas deferens , also called ductus deferens, is part of the male anatomy of some species; they transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation....
 and surrounding tissue that run from the abdomen
Abdomen

In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity....
 down to each testicle
Testicle

The testicle is the male gonad in animals. This article will concentrate on mammalian testicles unless otherwise noted.The etymology of the word is somewhat colorfully based on Roman law....
.

Contents of spermatic cord

  • arteries: testicular artery
    Testicular artery

    The testicular artery is a branch of the abdominal aorta that supplies blood to the testis. It is a paired artery, with one for each of the testes....
    , deferential artery, cremasteric artery
    Cremasteric artery

    The cremasteric artery is a branch of the Inferior epigastric artery which accompanies the spermatic cord, and supplies the Cremaster and other coverings of the cord, anastomosing with the testicular artery . ...
  • nerves: nerve to cremaster
    Cremaster muscle

    The cremaster muscle is a muscle that covers the testicle....
     (genital branch
    Genital branch of genitofemoral nerve

    The genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve arieses from the ventral primary divisions of L1 and L2 spinal nerve roots, passes outward on the Psoas major, and pierces the fascia transversalis, or passes through the deep inguinal ring; it then descends behind the spermatic cord to the scrotum, supplies the Cremaster, and gives a few filamen...
     of the genitofemoral nerve
    Genitofemoral nerve

    In human anatomy, the genitofemoral nerve originates from the upper part of the lumbar plexus of spinal nerves. Its roots are L1 and L2 .The genitofemoral nerve is responsible for both the efferent and afferent limbs of the cremasteric reflex....
    ) , sympathetic
    Sympathetic nervous system

    The Sympathetic Nervous System is a branch of the autonomic nervous system along with the enteric nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system....
     nerves
  • vas deferens
    Vas deferens

    The vas deferens , also called ductus deferens, is part of the male anatomy of some species; they transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation....
  • pampiniform plexus
    Pampiniform plexus

    The spermatic veins emerge from the back of the testis, and receive tributaries from the epididymis: they unite and form a convoluted plexus, the plexus pampiniformis, which forms the chief mass of the cord....
  • lymphatic vessels
  • processus vaginalis
    Processus vaginalis

    The processus vaginalis is an embryonic developmental outpouching of the peritoneum.It is present from around the 12th week of gestation, and commences as a peritoneal outpouching....
     (remains of)


Coverings

The spermatic cord is ensheathed in three layers of tissue:
  • external spermatic fascia
    External spermatic fascia

    The external spermatic fascia is a thin membrane, prolonged downward around the surface of the cord and testis. It is separated from the dartos tunic by loose areolar tissue....
    , an extension of the innominate fascia that overlies the aponeurosis
    Aponeurosis

    Aponeuroses are layers of flat broad tendons. They have a shiny, whitish-silvery color, and are histologically similar to tendons, but are very sparingly supplied with blood vessels and nerves....
     of the external oblique muscle
  • cremasteric muscle and fascia, formed from a continuation of the internal oblique muscle and its fascia
  • internal spermatic fascia
    Internal spermatic fascia

    The internal spermatic fascia is a thin layer, which loosely invests the cord; it is a continuation downward of the transversalis fascia....
    , continuous with the transversalis fascia
    Transversalis fascia

    The transversalis fascia is a thin aponeurotic membrane which lies between the inner surface of the Transversus abdominis and the extraperitoneal fascia....


Clinical significance

The spermatic cord is sensitive to torsion
Torque

Torque is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis . Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
, in which the testicle rotates within its sac and kinks off its own blood supply. Testicular torsion
Testicular torsion

In testicular torsion the spermatic cord that provides the blood supply to a testicle is twisted, cutting off the blood supply, often causing orchialgia....
 may result in irreversible damage to the testicle within hours.

The contents of the abdominal cavity
Abdominal cavity

The abdominal cavity is the body cavity of the human body that holds the bulk of the viscus and which is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity....
 may protrude into the spermatic cord, producing an indirect inguinal hernia
Indirect inguinal hernia

An indirect inguinal hernia is an inguinal hernia which results from the failure of embryonic closure of the internal inguinal ring after the testicle has passed through it....
.

Additional images


External links

- "The inguinal canal and derivation of the layers of the spermatic cord."