Spermatic cord

The spermatic cord is the cord-like structure in males formed by the vas deferens (ductus deferens) and surrounding tissue that runs from the deep inguinal ring down to each testicle. Its serosal covering, the tunica vaginalis, is an extension of the peritoneum that passes through the transversalis fascia.

Structure

The spermatic cord is ensheathed in three layers of tissue:

• external spermatic fascia, an extension of the innominate fascia that overlies the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle
• cremasteric muscle and fascia, formed from a continuation of the internal oblique muscle and its fascia
• internal spermatic fascia, continuous with the transversalis fascia

Function

Contents

• Arteries: testicular artery, deferential artery, cremasteric artery
• Nerves: nerve to cremaster (genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve) and testicular nerves (sympathetic nerves). It is worth noting that the ilio-inguinal nerve is not actually located inside the spermatic cord, but runs along the outside of it, in the inguinal canal.
• Vas deferens (ductus deferens)
• Pampiniform plexus
• Lymphatic vessels
• Tunica vaginalis (remains of the processus vaginalis)

The pampiniform plexus, testicular artery, cremasteric artery, artery of the ductus deferens, lymphatic vessels, testicular sympathetic nerves, and ductus deferens all run deep to the internal spermatic fascia.^[1] The ilioinguinal nerve runs on the superficial surface of the external spermatic fascia.

Clinical significance

The spermatic cord is sensitive to torsion, in which the testicle rotates within its sac and blocks its own blood supply. Testicular torsion may result in irreversible damage to the testicle within hours. A collection of serous fluid in the spermatic cord is named 'funiculocele'.

The contents of the abdominal cavity may protrude into the inguinal canal, producing an indirect inguinal hernia.

Varicose veins of the spermatic cord are referred to as varicocele. Though often asymptomatic, about one in four people with varicocele have negatively affected fertility.^[2]

Additional images

• 
  The left femoral triangle
• 
  The scrotum.
• 
  The right testis, exposed by laying open the tunica vaginalis
• 
  Spermatic cord
• 
  Spermatic cord
• 
  Superficial veins oflower limb.Superficial dissection.Anterior view.

References

External links

• Anatomy figure: 36:01-00 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "The inguinal canal and derivation of the layers of the spermatic cord."
• Anatomy image:7509 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
• Cross section image: pembody/body18b - Plastination Laboratory at the Medical University of Vienna
• Cross section image: pelvis/pelvis-e12-15 - Plastination Laboratory at the Medical University of Vienna
• inguinalregion at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (spermaticcord)