Spermatic cord

	WikiDoc Resources for Spermatic cord
Articles
Most recent articles on Spermatic cord Most cited articles on Spermatic cord Review articles on Spermatic cord Articles on Spermatic cord in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Spermatic cord Images of Spermatic cord Photos of Spermatic cord Podcasts & MP3s on Spermatic cord Videos on Spermatic cord
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Spermatic cord Bandolier on Spermatic cord TRIP on Spermatic cord
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Spermatic cord at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Spermatic cord Clinical Trials on Spermatic cord at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Spermatic cord NICE Guidance on Spermatic cord NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Spermatic cord CDC on Spermatic cord
Books
Books on Spermatic cord
News
Spermatic cord in the news Be alerted to news on Spermatic cord News trends on Spermatic cord
Commentary
Blogs on Spermatic cord
Definitions
Definitions of Spermatic cord
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Spermatic cord Discussion groups on Spermatic cord Patient Handouts on Spermatic cord Directions to Hospitals Treating Spermatic cord Risk calculators and risk factors for Spermatic cord
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Spermatic cord Causes & Risk Factors for Spermatic cord Diagnostic studies for Spermatic cord Treatment of Spermatic cord
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Spermatic cord
International
Spermatic cord en Espanol Spermatic cord en Francais
Business
Spermatic cord in the Marketplace Patents on Spermatic cord
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Spermatic cord

Template:Infobox Anatomy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

The spermatic cord is the name given to the cord-like structure in males formed by the vas deferens and surrounding tissue that run from the abdomen down to each testicle.

Contents of spermatic cord

arteries: testicular artery, deferential artery, cremasteric artery
nerves: nerve to cremaster (genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve) , sympathetic nerves
vas deferens
pampiniform plexus
lymphatic vessels
processus vaginalis (remains of)

Coverings

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
cremasteric muscle and fascia, formed from a continuation of the internal oblique muscle and its fascia
internal spermatic fascia, continuous with the transversalis fascia

Clinical significance

The spermatic cord is sensitive to torsion, in which the testicle rotates within its sac and kinks off its own blood supply. Testicular torsion may result in irreversible damage to the testicle within hours.

The contents of the abdominal cavity may protrude into the spermatic cord, producing an indirect inguinal hernia.