spermatic cord
The spermatic cord is the tubular structure that suspends the testes and epididymis in the scrotum from the abdominal cavity.
Gross anatomy
Course
The spermatic cord arises at the deep inguinal ring, passes through the inguinal canal and exits at the superficial inguinal ring into the scrotum . In the scrotum, the spermatic cord terminates at the posteromedial border of the testis .
Coverings
The fascial layers of the anterior abdominal wall all contribute to the coverings of the spermatic cord, explained by the descent of the testes 'dragging' the layers of the anterior abdominal wall into the scrotum. Thus there are three layers of the spermatic cord (from outermost to innermost):
- external spermatic fascia (arising from the external oblique aponeurosis)
- cremaster fascia which contains the cremaster muscle (arising from the internal oblique muscle and aponeurosis)
- internal spermatic fascia (arising from the transversalis fascia)
Contents
- ductus deferens
- artery of the ductus deferens, arising from the superior vesical artery
- testicular artery, arising from the abdominal aorta
- cremasteric artery, arising from the inferior epigastric artery
- pampiniform plexus draining into the testicular vein
- genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve
- lymphatics
- nerves
- sympathetic nerve fibers on arteries
- parasympathetic nerve fibers on the ductus deferens
A useful mnemonic to remember the contents of the spermatic cord can be found here.
Relations
The ilioinguinal nerve runs anterior to the spermatic cord.
Variant anatomy
Related pathology
- spermatic cord hydrocele
- spermatic cord lipoma: accounts for ~70% of spermatic cord masses
- spermatic cord liposarcoma
- spermatic cord leiomyosarcoma
Siehe auch:
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu Samenstrang:
