Editing Spermatic cord

{{Short description|Structure in the human male reproductive system}}

{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Spermatic cord
| Latin       = funiculus spermaticus
| Greek       = 
| Image      = Gray1146.png
| Caption    = The spermatic cord in the [[inguinal canal]] (label for spermatic cord in lower right)
| Precursor   = 
| System      = 
| Artery      =[[Testicular artery]] 
| Vein        = 
| Nerve       = 
| Lymph       = 
|vein=[[Pampiniform plexus]]}}
The '''spermatic cord''' is the cord-like structure in males formed by the [[vas deferens]] (''ductus deferens'') and surrounding tissue that runs from the [[deep inguinal ring]] down to each [[testicle]]. Its [[Serous membrane|serosal]] covering, the [[tunica vaginalis]], is an extension of the [[peritoneum]] that passes through the [[transverse fascia|transversalis fascia]]. Each testicle develops in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar region and migrates into the scrotum. During its descent it carries along with it the vas deferens, its vessels, nerves etc. There is one on each side.

==Structure==
The spermatic cord is ensheathed in three layers of tissue:
* ''[[external spermatic fascia]]'', an extension of the [[innominate fascia]] that overlies the [[aponeurosis]] of the [[external oblique muscle]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Liu|first=Longfei|url=https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815008-5.00001-7|title=Scrotoscopic Surgery|publisher=[[Academic Press]]|year=2019|isbn=978-0-12-815008-5|pages=1–8|chapter=Chapter 1 - Applied Anatomy of the Scrotum and its Contents|doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-815008-5.00001-7|s2cid=81721236 }}</ref>
* ''[[cremasteric muscle]] and fascia'', formed from a continuation of the [[internal oblique muscle]] and its fascia.<ref name=":0" />
* ''[[internal spermatic fascia]]'', continuous with the [[transversalis fascia]].<ref name=":0" />

The normal diameter of the spermatic cord is about 16 mm (range 11 to 22 mm).<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Firoozabadi R, Stafford P, Routt M |title=Risk of Spermatic Cord Injury During Anterior Pelvic Ring and Acetabular Surgery: An Anatomical Study |journal=Arch Bone Jt Surg |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=269–73 |year=2015 |pmid=26550592 |pmc=4628634 }}</ref> It is located behind the [[tunica vaginalis]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last1=Yin|first1=Zhuo|chapter-url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128150085000042|title=Scrotoscopic Surgery|last2=Meng|first2=Xianxi|publisher=[[Academic Press]]|year=2019|isbn=978-0-12-815008-5|pages=23–53|chapter=Chapter 4 - General Techniques of Scrotoscopic Surgery|doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-815008-5.00004-2|s2cid=81292862 }}</ref>

===Contents===

==== Blood vessels ====
* [[Testicular artery]]<ref name=":0" />
*[[Artery to the ductus deferens]]<ref name=":0" />
*[[Cremasteric artery]]<ref name=":0" />

==== Nerves ====
* Nerve to cremaster ([[Genital branch of genitofemoral nerve|genital branch]] of the [[genitofemoral nerve]]).
*Testicular nerves ([[Sympathetic nervous system|sympathetic]] nerves).  
The [[ilioinguinal nerve]] is not actually located inside the spermatic cord, but runs outside it in the [[inguinal canal]].

==== Other contents ====
* [[Vas deferens]]<ref name=":0" />
* [[Pampiniform plexus]]<ref name=":0" />
* [[Lymphatic vessels]]<ref name=":0" />
The [[tunica vaginalis]] is located in front of the spermatic cord, outside it.<ref name=":1" />

==Clinical significance==
The spermatic cord is sensitive to [[torque|torsion]], in which the testicle rotates within its sac and blocks its own blood supply. [[Testicular torsion]] may result in irreversible damage to the testicle within hours. A collection of [[serous fluid]] in the spermatic cord is named 'funiculocele'.

The contents of the [[abdominal cavity]] may protrude into the inguinal canal, producing an [[indirect inguinal hernia]]

Varicose veins of the spermatic cord are referred to as [[varicocele]]. Though often asymptomatic, about one in four people with varicocele have negatively affected fertility.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.varicocelehealing.com/info.html|title=Learn About Varicocele Treatment|website=VARICOCELE HEALING|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202092859/https://www.varicocelehealing.com/info.html|archive-date=2 February 2014}}</ref>

==Additional images==
<gallery>
File:Gray549.png|The left [[femoral triangle]]
File:Gray1144.png|The scrotum
File:Gray1148.png|The right testis, exposed by laying open the [[tunica vaginalis]]
File:Spermatic cord 3.jpg|Spermatic cord
File:Slide1eee.JPG|Spermatic cord
File:Slide2por.JPG|Superficial veins oflower limb. Superficial dissection. Anterior view.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{ViennaCrossSection|pembody/body18b}}
* {{ViennaCrossSection|pelvis/pelvis-e12-15}}
* {{NormanAnatomy|inguinalregion}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|spermaticcord}})

{{Male reproductive system}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mammal male reproductive system]]