Spermatic Cord

Spermatic Cord

1. Formed from

   • Fascial coverings derived from the anterolateral abdominal wall during prenatal development

2. Layers/coverings

   • External spermatic fascia
     • Derived from external oblique aponeurosis and its investing fascia
   • Cremasteric fascia
     • Derived from investing fascia of both superficial and deep surface of the internal oblique muscle
   • Internal spermatic fascia
     • Derived from the transversalis fascia

3. Contents

   • Muscles
     • Cremaster
       • Action
         • To regulate spermatogenesis
           • Particularly in the cold
             • Reflexively draws the testis superiorly in the scrotum
           • Particularly when it is warm
             • Relaxes and the testis descend deeply into the scrotum
       • Innervation
         • Somatic Innervation
           • Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve (L1, L2), derivation of the lumbar plexus
     • Dartos
       • Action
         • Assits in testicular elevation as it produces contraction of the skin of the scrotum in response to stimuli
       • Innervation
         • Autonomic innervation
           • Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve (L1, L2), derived from the lumbar plexus
   • Blood Flow
     • Arterial
       • Testicular artery
       • Artery to ductus deferens
       • Cremasteric artery
     • Venous
       • Pampiniform venous plexus
   • Nerves
     • Genital branch of genitofemoral n.
     • Sympathetic nerve fibers
   • Ductus deferens