Scrotum
Updates to Article Attributes
The scrotum is a dual-chambered protuberance of skin and muscle that contains the testes, epididymides, and spermatic cord. It consists of two chambers separated by a septum It is an extension of the perineum, and is located between the penis and anus.
Gross anatomy
The scrotal wall is composed of several layers and normally measures 2-8 mm 1. It is composed of the following structures from superficial to deep 1:
- pigmented skin with rugal folds
- superficial fascia and dartos muscle
- external spermatic fascia: continuation of external oblique abdominis muscle
- cremasteric fascia: continuation of internal oblique abdominis muscle
- internal spermatic fascia: continuation of transversus abdominis muscle
- tunica vaginalis
- tunica albuginea which covers the testes
A mnemonic to recall these layers is:
The tunica albuginea and tunica vaginalis form the visceral and parietal layers around the testes, with minimal fluid in between. Except for a small posterior area, tunica vaginalis surrounds the testes 1.
See also: Testicular and scrotal ultrasound
Contents
Blood supply
Scrotal blood supply is formed by posterior scrotal branches of the perineal artery (from the internal pudendal artery), anterior scrotal branches of the deep external pudendal artery(from the common femoral artery) and the cremasteric artery (from the inferior epigastric artery).
A series of scrotal veins accompany the arteries.
History and etymology
"Scrotum" is thought to be a variant of the Latin "scortum" ("skin(skin/hide, or things made with leather, such as a purse or quiver).
Related pathology
-<li>superficial fascia and <a title="dartos muscle" href="/articles/dartos-muscle">dartos</a> muscle</li>-<li>external spermatic fascia: continuation of <a title="External oblique muscle (EOM)" href="/articles/external-oblique-muscle-eom">external oblique abdominis muscle</a>- +<li>superficial fascia and <a href="/articles/dartos-muscle">dartos</a> muscle</li>
- +<li>external spermatic fascia: continuation of <a href="/articles/external-oblique-muscle-eom">external oblique abdominis muscle</a>
-<li>cremasteric fascia: continuation of <a title="Internal oblique muscle" href="/articles/internal-oblique-muscle">internal oblique abdominis muscle</a>- +<li>cremasteric fascia: continuation of <a href="/articles/internal-oblique-muscle">internal oblique abdominis muscle</a>
-<li>internal spermatic fascia: continuation of <a title="Transversus abdominis muscle" href="/articles/transversus-abdominis-muscle">transversus abdominis muscle</a>- +<li>internal spermatic fascia: continuation of <a href="/articles/transversus-abdominis-muscle">transversus abdominis muscle</a>
-</ul><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>"Scrotum" is thought to be a variant of the Latin "scortum" ("skin/hide, or things made with leather, such as a purse or quiver).</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><ul>- +</ul><h4>Blood supply</h4><p>Scrotal blood supply is formed by posterior scrotal branches of the perineal artery (from the <a title="Internal pudendal artery" href="/articles/internal-pudendal-artery-1">internal pudendal artery</a>), anterior scrotal branches of the deep external pudendal artery<strong> </strong>(from the <a title="Common femoral artery" href="/articles/common-femoral-artery">common femoral artery</a>) and the <a title="Cremasteric artery" href="/articles/cremasteric-artery">cremasteric artery</a> (from the inferior epigastric artery). </p><p>A series of scrotal veins accompany the arteries.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>"Scrotum" is thought to be a variant of the Latin "scortum" (skin/hide, or things made with leather, such as a purse or quiver).</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><ul>
References changed:
- 4. Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Clinically oriented anatomy. LWW. ISBN:1451119453. <a href="http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN1451119453">Read it at Google Books</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1451119453">Find it at Amazon</a><span class="auto"></span>
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