Anatomy of the scrotum

In this note, we will consider the anatomy of the scrotum (scrotum).

The scrotum is the structure of the male reproductive system, in which the testes (or testicles) are located.

The temperature in the scrotum is slightly lower than the body temperature, which is necessary for the normal production of germ cells.

1. The skin of the scrotum (cutis), which is connected at the two halves of the scrotum and forms a single cavity of sorts. On the surface of the skin in the middle, there is a raphe (raphe scroti), which begins on the inferior surface of the penis and continues along the perineum to the anus.

2. The superficial fascia of scrotum (tunica dartos), which is the muscular layer of the scrotum. There are separate fasciae for each testis.

The right and left superficial fasciae are connected by an intersection in the suture area, forming the septum of the scrotum (septum scroti).

3. The external spermatic fascia (fascia spermatica externa), which is a continuation of the superficial abdominal fascia.

External spermatic fascia<br />
(fascia spermatica externa) — External spermatic fascia
(fascia spermatica externa)

It arises from the border of the superficial inguinal ring and covers the cremaster.

4. The cremasteric fascia (fascia cremasterica). It arises from the fascia of the external oblique abdominal muscle.

5. The cremaster (m. cremaster). This muscle is a continuation of the fibers of the internal obliqueand transverse abdominal muscles. This muscle pulls the testis up.

6. The internal spermatic fascia (fascia spermatica interna), which continues from the transverse abdominal fascia. It also surrounds the spermatic cord.

7. The tunica vaginalis of the testis (tunica vaginalis testis), which is a continuation of the peritoneum.

It consists of the parietal layer (lamina parietalis) and the visceral layer (lamina visceralis).

The visceral layer fuses with the tunica albuginea of the testis. Between the layers, there is cavity of the tunica vaginalis (cavum vaginale).

Blood supply

The arterial blood enters the scrotum from the external pudendal, perineal, and cremasteric arteries.

Venous drainage

The venous blood drains into the femoral and internal pudendal veins.

Lymph drainage

The lymph drains into the inguinal lymph nodes.

Innervation

The scrotum is innervated by the branches of the pudendal nerve, from which the posterior scrotal nerves branch, as well as by the ilio-inguinal nerve, which gives rise to the anterior scrotal nerves.

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