Spermatic cord

The normal diameter of the spermatic cord is about 16 mm (range 11 to 22 mm).^[2] It is located behind the tunica vaginalis.^[3]

Contents

Blood vessels

• Testicular artery^[1]
• Artery to the ductus deferens^[1]
• Cremasteric artery^[1]

Nerves

• Nerve to cremaster (genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve).
• Testicular nerves (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^[1]
• Pampiniform plexus^[1]
• Lymphatic vessels^[1]

The tunica vaginalis is located in front of the spermatic cord, outside it.^[3]

Clinical significance

The spermatic cord is sensitive to 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

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.^[4]

Additional images

• 
  The left femoral triangle
• 
  The scrotum
• 
  The right testis, exposed by laying open the tunica vaginalis
• 
  Spermatic cord
• 
  Spermatic cord
• 
  Superficial veins oflower limb. Superficial dissection. Anterior view.

References