Veterinary Splanchnology and Applied Anotomy

Spermatic cord

SPERMATIC CORD (OX)

• The spermatic cord consists of structures carried down by the testicle in its migration through the inguinal canal from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum
• It begins at the abdominal inguinal ring where all the constituent structures come together, passes through the inguinal canal and passes over the side of the penis and ends at the attached border of the testicle
• It consists of the following structures,
  • Internal Spermatic arteries
  • Spermatic veins, which form pampiniform plexus around the artery
  • Internal Spermatic nerves run with artery
  • Lymphatics accompanying the veins
  • Internal cremaster muscle
  • Vas deferens
  • Tunica vaginalis (visceral layer)
• Of these, the first four structures are gathered into a round mass, which forms the cranial part of the cord
• They are united by connective tissue interspersed with the internal cremaster muscle
• The ductus deferens forms the postero-medial part of the cord
• It is enclosed in a special fold of tunica vaginalis, hence it is not visible laterally