Anatomy of Testis, Epididymis & Ductus Deferens
Scrotum:
cut pouch of thin pigmented skin and underlying tunica dartos, a facial layer cont w/
superficial penile fascia and superficial perineal fascia
Function:
NO fat – to maintain temperature lower than rest of body
contains testis and epididymis
the dartos m. w/in tunica dartos attaches to the skin – it controls the wrinkling
of skin of scrotum
o contracted and wrinkled when cold (or sexually stimulated), bring testis in close
contact w/ body to conserve heat
o relaxed when warm and hence is flaccid and more pendulous to release and
spread heat
o By transferring the testicles into the scrotum a testicular temperature 2-3 ºC
lower than body temperature is attained. Lower temperature is necessary
for producing sperm cells.
Structure
divided into R & L compartments via scrotal septum (int) and scrotal
raphe (ext)
superficial dartos fascia – has no subcutaenous fat, like Scarpa’s fascia of the
abdomen
Testis
* considered retroperitoneal
General Info:
covered by visceral layer of tunica vaginalis testis - except where in contact w/
epididymis – covered bytunica albuginea
attached to scrotum via gubernaculum testis -
o remnant of embryonic caudal ligament
o responsible for pulling down testis from ab cavity –> scrotum
o analogous to round ligament in female
Function: produce spermatozoa (spermatogenesis) and secrete sex hormones
o from the ovum at fertilisation)
, Tunica Vaginalis & processes vaginalis testis:
fluid filled envelope
testis attached to scrotum thru caudal lig of testis & to peritoneum running above it
During descent of testis, pertinoneum is pulled in to scrotal sac w/ testis = processes
vaginalis testis –> become tunica vaginalis
have a visceral and parietal layer, just like peritoneum
Blood supply:
testicular a (ab aorta)
drained by v of pampiniform plexus –> become testicular v
Lymph vessels in area –> sup inguinal nodes & lumbar nodes
Scrotum:
cut pouch of thin pigmented skin and underlying tunica dartos, a facial layer cont w/
superficial penile fascia and superficial perineal fascia
Function:
NO fat – to maintain temperature lower than rest of body
contains testis and epididymis
the dartos m. w/in tunica dartos attaches to the skin – it controls the wrinkling
of skin of scrotum
o contracted and wrinkled when cold (or sexually stimulated), bring testis in close
contact w/ body to conserve heat
o relaxed when warm and hence is flaccid and more pendulous to release and
spread heat
o By transferring the testicles into the scrotum a testicular temperature 2-3 ºC
lower than body temperature is attained. Lower temperature is necessary
for producing sperm cells.
Structure
divided into R & L compartments via scrotal septum (int) and scrotal
raphe (ext)
superficial dartos fascia – has no subcutaenous fat, like Scarpa’s fascia of the
abdomen
Testis
* considered retroperitoneal
General Info:
covered by visceral layer of tunica vaginalis testis - except where in contact w/
epididymis – covered bytunica albuginea
attached to scrotum via gubernaculum testis -
o remnant of embryonic caudal ligament
o responsible for pulling down testis from ab cavity –> scrotum
o analogous to round ligament in female
Function: produce spermatozoa (spermatogenesis) and secrete sex hormones
o from the ovum at fertilisation)
, Tunica Vaginalis & processes vaginalis testis:
fluid filled envelope
testis attached to scrotum thru caudal lig of testis & to peritoneum running above it
During descent of testis, pertinoneum is pulled in to scrotal sac w/ testis = processes
vaginalis testis –> become tunica vaginalis
have a visceral and parietal layer, just like peritoneum
Blood supply:
testicular a (ab aorta)
drained by v of pampiniform plexus –> become testicular v
Lymph vessels in area –> sup inguinal nodes & lumbar nodes
