Scrotum

Last revised by Yoshi Yu on 18 Feb 2023

The scrotum (plural: scrota or scrotums) is a dual-chambered protuberance of skin and muscle that contains the testesepididymides, 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.

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:

A mnemonic to recall these layers is: 

The tunica albuginea and tunica vaginalis respectively form the serous and fibrous layers around the testes, with a trace of fluid in between. Except for a small posterior area, the tunica vaginalis surrounds the testes 1.

See also: testicular and scrotal ultrasound

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. Numerous arteriovenous fistulae are common.

As scrotal lymphatics do not cross the septum, lymphatics drain to the ipsilateral superficial inguinal nodes.

  • congenital agenesis

  • penoscrotal transposition (scrotum located superior and anterior to penis)

"Scrotum" is directly borrowed from the same Latin word, itself thought to be a variant of the Latin "scortum" (skin/hide, or things made with leather, such as a purse or quiver).

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