The pampiniform plexus is a network of many small vein

Vein

In the circulatory system, veins are blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated blood to the heart...

s found in the human male spermatic cord

Spermatic cord

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

. It is formed by the union of multiple spermatic veins from the back of the testis and tributaries from the epididymis

Epididymis

The epididymis is part of the male reproductive system and is present in all male amniotes. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens. A similar, but probably non-homologous, structure is found in cartilaginous...

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The veins of the plexus ascend along the cord in front of the ductus deferens. Below the superficial inguinal ring

Superficial inguinal ring

The superficial inguinal ring is an anatomical structure in the anterior wall of the human abdomen. It is a triangular opening that forms the exit of the inguinal canal, which houses the ilioinguinal nerve, the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, and the spermatic cord or the round ligament...

 they unite to form three or four veins, which pass along the inguinal canal

Inguinal canal

The inguinal canal is a passage in the anterior abdominal wall which in men conveys the spermatic cord and in women the round ligament. The inguinal canal is larger and more prominent in men.-Site:...

, and, entering the abdomen through the deep inguinal ring

Deep inguinal ring

The deep inguinal ring is the entrance to the inguinal canal.-Location:...

, coalesce to form two veins. These again unite to form a single vein, the testicular vein

Testicular vein

The testicular vein , the male gonadal vein, carries deoxygenated blood from its corresponding testis to the inferior vena cava or one of its tributaries...

, which opens on the right side into the inferior vena cava

Inferior vena cava

The inferior vena cava , also known as the posterior vena cava, is the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart....

, at an acute angle, and on the left side into the left renal vein

Renal vein

The renal veins are veins that drain the kidney. They connect the kidney to the inferior vena cava.It is usually singular to each kidney, except in the condition "multiple renal veins".It also divides into 2 divisions upon entering the kidney:...

, at a right angle.The pampiniform plexus forms the chief mass of the cord.

In addition to its function in venous return from the testes, the pampiniform plexus also plays a role in the temperature regulation of the testes. It acts as a heat exchanger

Heat exchanger

A heat exchanger is a piece of equipment built for efficient heat transfer from one medium to another. The media may be separated by a solid wall, so that they never mix, or they may be in direct contact...

, cooling blood in adjacent arteries. An abnormal enlargement of the pampiniform plexus is a medical condition called varicocele

Varicocele

Varicocele , also known as varicoscele or varicose seal, is an abnormal enlargement of the vein that is in the scrotum draining the testicles. The testicular blood vessels originate in the abdomen and course down through the inguinal canal as part of the spermatic cord on their way to the testis...

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External links

- "Inguinal Region, Scrotum and Testes: Veins" - "Male Reproductive System: spermatic cord, pampiniform plexus" - "Spermatic cord"

• Diagram at Rutgers