In the male reproductive system, the testes are suspended by the spermatic cord. Within each spermatic cord are several structures. These include the testicular artery, testicular veins, lymphatics, the deferent duct and testicular nerves.
The testicular arteries arise from the abdominal aorta and descend into the testes. They supply the ureters, testes, and epididymis.
The pampiniform plexus is a venous network that originates in the testes in males. Veins in the plexus unite to form a singular testicular vein. The testicular veins then ascend and drain into the inferior vena cava on the right side and into the renal vein on the left side.
The testicular lymph vessels drain the testes. Lymph vessels originating from the right testis drain via the lateral caval and precaval nodes. On the left, the testicular lymph vessels drain into the lateral aortic and preaortic nodes.
The deferent duct, also known as the ductus deferens, transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts, which opens into the prostatic urethra in males. During ejaculation, the smooth muscle lining the deferent duct contracts and sperm is transported via peristalsis towards the urethra. Along the way, seminal fluid from the seminal vesicles, and fluid from the prostate and bulbourethral glands join the sperm. Collectively, these fluids are known as semen.
The spermatic cord is surrounded by three layers: the internal spermatic fascia, the cremaster muscle and the external spermatic fascia. The internal and external spermatic fascia permit a degree of motility between the facial coverings and overlying skin. This movement helps to control the temperature of the testes. In addition, the cremaster muscle allows for the elevation and depression of the scrotum to help regulate the temperature of the testes.
