Scrotal Anatomy Flashcards
What is the cremaster muscle?
Muscle that surrounds testicles and contracts and retracts to help regulate temperature.
What is the tunica vaginalis?
Extension of the peritoneum into the scrotum.
What are the two layers of the tunica vaginalis and what do they attach/lie close to?
Parietal (in contact with scrotal wall) and visceral (attaches to most of the testicle).
What is one particular function that the tunica vaginalis does?
Creates a small amount of fluid which fills with space between the parietal and visceral layers.
Explain the order of anatomical structures that the sperm travel through, beginning within the lobules.
Each lobule has 1-3 seminiferous tubules - straight tubules - rete testis - efferent ductules - ductus epididymis - vas deferens
What is the gabernaculum?
Ligament which attaches the testicle to the posterior scrotal wall
Where is the tunica albuginea located?
Around the outside of the testicle and extends into the posterior wall of the testicle (mediastinum) and into the testicle (interlobular septa)
What is the normal size of an adult testicle?
3-5cm (L), 2-4cm (W), 3cm (H)
What are the appendix testis and epididymis?
Remnants of the Mullerian duct that protrude from these structures. Appendix testis located on superior pole of testicle or in groove between testicle and epididymis. Appendix epididymis located on epi head.
Describe the arterial supply of the testicles.
Supplied by the right and left testicular arteries which travel down the spermatic cord, course along the posterior surface of the testicles, and pierce the tunica albuginea to form capsular arteries.
Describe the venous drainage of the testicles.
Drained by the right and left pampiniform plexus. The right testicular vein drains into the IVC and the left drains into the left renal vein.
