scrotum

(noun)

The bag of skin and muscle that contains the testes in mammals.

Related Terms

Examples of scrotum in the following topics:

  • Scrotum

    • The purpose of the scrotum is to provide the testes with a chamber of appropriate temperature for optimal sperm production.
    • The function of the scrotum appears to be to keep the temperature of the testes slightly lower than that of the rest of the body.
    • This is done by means of contraction and relaxation of the cremaster muscle and the dartos fascia in the scrotum.
    • However, temperature regulation may not be the only function of the scrotum.
    • Image of the external, muscle, and deep tissue views of the scrotum.

  • Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System

    • The male reproductive system includes external (penis, scrotum, epididymus, and testes) and internal (accessory) organs.
    • These external structures are the penis, scrotum, epididymis, and testes.
    • The scrotum is a loose, pouch-like sack of skin that hangs behind the penis, containing the testes.
    • The scrotum has a protective function, including the maintenance of optimal temperatures for sperm survival and function.
    • Special muscles in the wall of the scrotum contract and relax in order to move the testes near the body.

  • Cryptorchidism

    • Cryptorchidism is a condition present at birth in boys where one or more of the testes is absent from the scrotum.
    • Cryptorchidism is the absence of one or both testes from the scrotum.
    • To reduce these risks, undescended testes are usually brought into the scrotum in infancy by a surgical procedure called an orchiopexy.
    • Cryptorchidism occurs when one or both testes do not descend into the scrotum.

  • Testicular Cancer

    • Testicular cancer develops in the testicles, the male reproductive glands located in the scrotum.
    • sharp pain or a dull ache in the lower abdomen or scrotum

  • Vasectomy

    • The entry of the sperm into the scrotum causes sperm granulomas to be formed by the body to contain and absorb the sperm which the body treats as a foreign substance.
    • The traditional incision approach of vasectomy involves numbing of the scrotum with local or general anesthetic after which a scalpel is used to make two small incisions on each side of the scrotum at a location that allows the surgeon to bring each vas deferens to the surface for excision.
    • No-Scalpel vasectomy: A sharp hemostat (as opposed to a scalpel), is used to puncture the scrotum (scrotal sac).
    • Open-Ended vasectomy: The testicular end of the vas deferens is not sealed, allowing continued streaming of sperm into the scrotum.

  • Testes

    • In mammals, the testes are often contained within an extension of the abdomen called the scrotum.
    • Diagram illustrates the scrotum with a portion of the covering removed to display the testis.

  • Male and Female Gonads

    • The testes are located in the scrotum (a sac of skin between the upper thighs).
    • In the male fetus, the testes develop near the kidneys, then descend into the scrotum just before birth.

  • Male Reproductive Anatomy

    • Primitive gonads become testes; other tissues produce a penis and scrotum in males.
    • In the male reproductive system, the scrotum houses the testicles or testes, providing passage for blood vessels, nerves, and muscles related to testicular function.
    • Sperm are immobile at body temperature; therefore, the scrotum and penis are external to the body so that a proper temperature is maintained for motility.

  • Penis

    • It is located on the ventral aspect of the penis and runs from the meatus and across the scrotum to the perineum (area between scrotum and anus).

  • Sweat (Sudoriferous) Glands

    • The apocrine glands are found in places like the armpits, scrotum, anus, and labia majora.