The layers are as follows from the outside to the inside:
- Scrotal skin
- Dartos muscles and fascia
- Cremaster muscles and fascia
- Tunica vaginalis
Are the testes located inside the scrotum?
The testes are 2 small organs that are found inside the scrotum. The testes make sperm. They also help produce a hormone called testosterone. Testosterone is an important hormone during male development and maturation.
Why are the testes located inthe scrotum?
The Anatomy of the Testes
- Anatomy. Most males are born with two testicles, collectively known as the testes. ...
- Function. The testes have two primary functions. ...
- Associated Conditions. As mentioned above, cryptorchidism, or undescended testes, are a relatively common congenital condition.
- Tests. Ultrasound is the most commonly used technique to examine the testes. ...
What is the normal color of the scrotum?
“There is no ‘normal’ color in this area, but it tends to be darker than other areas.” Your natural skin tone plays a role in how dark this area can be. Hyperpigmentation might be a subtle ...
Is the scrotum the same as the testicle?
The scrotum contains the testicles. These are two oval-shaped glands responsible for producing and storing sperm. They also produce several hormones, the main one being testosterone.
How many layers does the scrotum have?
The wall of the scrotum consists of four layers: (1) skin, (2) tunica dartos, (3) scrotal fascia, and (4) parietal vaginal tunic. The scrotal skin is thin, generally hairless, and slightly oily, containing numerous sebaceous and sweat glands, which assist in testis thermoregulation.
What are the layers of scrotum?
The layers of the scrotum are continuation of the abdominal wall layers (Table 1). From superficial to deep, scrotal layers include: skin, superficial “Dartos” fascia, external spermatic fascia, cremaster muscle, internal spermatic fascia, and tunica vaginalis.
How do you remember the layers of the scrotum?
MnemonicS: skin.D: dartos fascia and muscle.E: external spermatic fascia.C: cremasteric fascia.I: internal spermatic fascia.T: tunica vaginalis.T: tunica albuginea.
Is there liquid in your balls?
The normal testis is surrounded by a smooth protective tissue sac. You cannot normally feel this. It makes a small amount of 'lubricating' fluid to allow the testis to move freely. Excess fluid normally drains away into the veins in your scrotum.
What is tunica vaginalis?
Medical Definition of tunica vaginalis : a pouch of serous membrane covering the testis and derived from the peritoneum.
What is the name of the tube that moves sperm out of the epididymis?
Each spermatic cord contains blood vessels, nerves, lymph vessels, and a tube called the vas deferens. This tube moves sperm out of the epididymis into ejaculatory ducts. The blood vessels maintain the blood supply for the testicle, vas deferens, and cremaster muscle. The nerves transport information from the spinal cord to and from the scrotum, ...
What is a testicular torsion?
Testicular torsion. Testicular torsion means that your testicle has rotated in the scrotum. This twisting of the spermatic cord cuts off blood supply, nerve function, and sperm transport to your testicle. This condition is considered a medical emergency.
What muscle is used to tighten the skin of the scrotum?
This wall is lined with smooth muscle called the dartos fascia muscle. This muscle, along with the cremaster muscles, help to expand or tighten the skin of the scrotum as it moves up and down.
How do you know if you have an inguinal hernia?
Symptoms of an inguinal hernia can include: bulging or swelling around your pubic area that feels like it’s aching or burning. uncomfortable groin sensation or pain when you cough, laugh, or bend over.
Which muscle surrounds the testicles?
The nerves transport information from the spinal cord to and from the scrotum, testicles, and cremaster muscle. Cremaster muscle. Each cremaster muscle surrounds one of the testicles and its spermatic cord. The muscle helps to move the testicle toward and away from the body to maintain the ideal temperature for sperm production.
What age do you get testicular cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males between the ages of 15 and 44. Symptoms of testicular cancer can include: lump in your testicle. feeling of scrotum heaviness. fluid buildup in your scrotum.
What is a cyst in the epididymis?
A spermatocele, or spermatic cyst, happens when a fluid-filled sac forms in the epididymis. These cysts aren’t cancerous or life-threatening, but they can cause pain and discomfort if they’re large.
What is the difference between hydrocele and non-inflammatory edema?
It can occur in the skin of the scrotum, causing pain and swelling. Hydrocele occurs when fluid builds up around the testes. Non-inflammatory edema refers to a collection of fluid within the scrotum that isn't associated with inflammation of the scrotal wall or hydrocele.
What is the function of the cremaster muscles?
The function of the cremaster muscles is to raise or lower the testicles. This further helps to maintain the testicles at an appropriate temperature.
What is cremasteric reflex?
The cremasteric reflex is a response to light stroking of the inner thigh. It causes the muscle to contract and the testes to elevate. 1 It is also possible for some men to contract the cremaster muscles voluntarily. The spermatic cord provides blood supply to the testes, vas deferens, and the cremaster muscle.
What is the function of the scrotum?
Tests. The scrotum is the sac of skin and other tissues that holds the testicles outside of the pelvis. Its primary function is to protect the testicles, or testes, and allow them to stay cooler than core body temperature. 1 The testicles are more functional at lower temperatures.
What is the term for a fluid filled sac in the epididymis?
Spermatocele is when the epididymis develops a fluid-filled sac. Epididymitis refers to an infected or inflamed epididymis, and orchitis to an infected or swollen testicle. Finally, testicular cancer can cause swelling and pain in the scrotum as well.
What is the first test to diagnose scrotum?
Ultrasound is usually the first type of test used to diagnose problems with the scrotum. 6 If regular ultrasound is not effective, ultrasound with contrast can be used. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with or without contrast, can also be used to diagnose conditions affecting the scrotum.
What is the condition that affects the scrotum?
A number of health conditions can affect the scrotum, as well as the structures that it protects. Looking specifically at the scrotum, cellulitis is a type of bacterial skin infection. It can occur in the skin of the scrotum, causing pain and swelling.
What is the scrotal septum?
The perineal raphe is a small, vertical, slightly raised ridge of scrotal skin under which is found the scrotal septum. It appears as a thin longitudinal line that runs front to back over the entire scrotum. In humans and some other mammals the scrotum becomes covered with pubic hair at puberty.
What is the scrotum of a dinosaur?
For the obsolete dinosaur fossil name, see Megalosaurus § "Scrotum humanum". Diagram of the scrotum. On the left side the cavity of the tunica vaginalis has been opened; on the right side only the layers superficial to the Cremaster muscle have been removed. The scrotum or scrotal sac is an anatomical male reproductive structure located at ...
Why is the left testis lower than the right?
An alternative view is that testis descent asymmetry evolved to enable more effective cooling of the testicles.
What animals have internal testes?
Animals that move at a steady pace – such as elephants, whales, and marsupial moles – have internal testes and no scrotum.
What is the temperature of the testes?
The scrotum regulates the temperature of the testes and maintains it at 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), i.e. two or three degrees below the body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
What is the swelling of the cloacal membrane?
Externally, a swelling called the genital tubercule appears over the cloacal membrane. Up until the eighth week after fertilization, the reproductive organs do not appear to be different between the male and female and are called in-differentiated.
What is the scrotum?
The scrotum contains the external spermatic fascia, testes, epididymis, and ductus deferens. It is a distention of the perineum and carries some abdominal tissues into its cavity including the testicular artery, testicular vein, and pampiniform plexus.
What is the function of the Spermatic Cord?
It functions as a storage reservoir for sperm . Spermatic cord - a collection of muscle fibres, vessels, nerves and ducts that run to and from the testes. There are also muscle fibres located within the scrotum. The dartos muscle is a sheet of smooth muscle, situated immediately underneath the skin.
Which nerves supply the scrotum?
Nerves. Cutaneous innervation to the scrotum is supplied via several nerves, according to the topography: Anterior and anterolateral aspect – Anterior scrotal nerves derived from the genital branch of genitofemoral nerve and ilioinguinal nerve.
What are the three structures of the scrotum?
The scrotum contains three major (paired) structures: Testis – the site of sperm production. Epididymis – situated at the head of each testicle. It functions as a storage reservoir for sperm. Spermatic cord – a collection of muscle fibres, vessels, nerves and ducts that run to and from the testes.
What is the Dartos muscle?
There are also muscle fibres located within the scrotum. The dartos muscle is a sheet of smooth muscle, situated immediately underneath the skin. It acts to help regulate the temperature of the scrotum, by wrinkling the skin – this decreases surface area, reducing heat loss.
Where does the scrotum receive its arterial supply?
The scrotum receives arterial supply from the anterior and posterior scrotal arteries. The anterior scrotal artery arises from the external pudendal artery, while the posterior is derived from the internal pudendal artery. The scrotal veins follow the major arteries, draining into the external pudendal veins.
Is the scrotum a chamber?
It is dual-chambered, forming an expansion of the perineum. Embryologically, the scrotum is derived from the paired genital swellings. During development, the genital swellings fuse in the midline – in the adult this fusion is marked by the scrotal raphe.
Overview
Development
Function
Clinical significance
See also
The scrotum or scrotal sac is an anatomical male reproductive structure located at the base of the penis that consists of a suspended dual-chambered sac of skin and smooth muscle. It is present in most terrestrial male mammals. The scrotum contains the external spermatic fascia, testes, epididymis, and ductus deferens. It is a distention of the perineum and carries some abdominal tissues into its cavity including the testicular artery, testicular vein, and pampiniform plexus. The perineal …
Bibliography
Male sex hormones are secreted by the testes later in embryonic life to cause the development of secondary sex organs. The scrotum is developmentally homologous to the labia majora. The raphe does not exist in females. Reproductive organs and tissues develop in females and males begin during the fifth week after fertilization. The gonadal ridge grows behind the peritoneal membrane. By the sixth week, string-like tissues called primary sex cords form within the enlarging gonadal …