Normal Scrotum

How are the testicles endocrine glands?

produce testosterone

How are the testicles exocrine glands?

produce sperm

What is the purpose of the scrotum?

allows for temperature regulation as sperm are temperature sensitive

What is the cremaster muscle?

• forms the wall of the scrotum

• extends from spermatic cord

• can bring testicle closer to body or away

What forms the septum of the scrotum?

median raphe and dartos fascia

What lies under the cremaster muscle?

tunica vaginalis

What are the two layers of the tunica vaginalis?

parietal and visceral

What is the space between the parietal and visceral vaginalis called?

cavum vaginale

What is the dense covering that lies underneath the visceral vaginalis?

tunica albuginea

What does the tunica albuginea form as it wraps around posteriorly?

mediastinum

What forms the walls of the spermatic cord?

cremaster muscle

What is contained in the spermatic cord?

• testicular artery

• pampiniform plexus

• deferent duct

• nerves

• lymphatics

Where does the production of sperm begin (spermatogenesis)?

seminiferous tubules

Where does the sperm travel after the seminiferous tubules?

straight tubules

Where does the sperm travel after the straight tubules?

rete testis

What brings the sperm from the rete testis to the epididymis?

efferent ducts

What is the job of the epididymis?

sperm storage and maturation

What carries the sperm from the epididymis into the body to seminal vesicles?

vas deferens

What is the blood supply of the testis?

• testicular/gonadal artery (main blood supply)

• cremasteric and deferential arteries (supply wall and ducts)

Where does the testicular/gonadal artery originate?

aorta

Where do the cremasteric and deferential arteries originate?

iliac arteries

What drains the testis and empties into the testicular/spermatic veins?

pampiniform plexus

Where does the right testicular vein drain?

IVC

Where does the left testicular vein drain?

left renal vein

What is the longest pelvic vein?

left gonadal vein

What is the typical anatomical location of the epididymal head?

superior to testes

What is the venous drainage of the testicles?

pampiniform plexus

What is the typical anatomical location of the epididymal body?

posterior to testes

What is the typical anatomical location of the epididymal tail?

inferior to testes