Spermatic cord

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 10 Oct 2024

The spermatic cord (TA: funiculus spermaticus) is the tubular structure that suspends the testes and epididymis in the scrotum from the abdominal cavity.

The spermatic cord arises at the deep inguinal ring, passes through the inguinal canal and exits at the superficial inguinal ring into the scrotum 3. In the scrotum, the spermatic cord terminates at the posteromedial border of the testis 1,2.

The fascial layers of the anterior abdominal wall all contribute to the coverings of the spermatic cord, explained by the descent of the testes 'dragging' the layers of the anterior abdominal wall into the scrotum. Thus there are three layers of the spermatic cord (from outermost to innermost):

A useful mnemonic to remember the contents of the spermatic cord can be found here.

The ilioinguinal nerve runs anterior to the spermatic cord.

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