Testicular artery
Encyclopedia
The testicular artery is a branch of the abdominal aorta
that supplies blood to the testis. It is a paired artery
, with one for each of the testes.
It is the male equivalent of the ovarian artery
. Because the testis is found in a different location than that of its female equivalent, it has a different course than the ovarian artery.
They are two slender vessels of considerable length, and arise from the front of the aorta
a little below the renal arteries.
Each passes obliquely downward and lateralward behind the peritoneum
, resting on the Psoas major, the right spermatic lying in front of the inferior vena cava
and behind the middle colic and ileocolic arteries and the terminal part of the ileum
, the left behind the left colic and sigmoid
arteries and the iliac colon
.
Each crosses obliquely over the ureter and the lower part of the external iliac artery to reach the abdominal inguinal ring, through which it passes, and accompanies the other constituents of the spermatic cord
along the inguinal canal
to the scrotum
, where it becomes tortuous, and divides into several branches.
Two or three of these accompany the ductus deferens, and supply the epididymis
, anastomosing with the artery of the ductus deferens; others pierce the back part of the tunica albuginea
, and supply the substance of the testis.
The internal spermatic artery supplies one or two small branches to the ureter
, and in the inguinal canal gives one or two twigs to the Cremaster
.
Abdominal aorta
The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity. As part of the aorta, it is a direct continuation of the descending aorta .-Path:...
that supplies blood to the testis. It is a paired artery
Artery
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. This blood is normally oxygenated, exceptions made for the pulmonary and umbilical arteries....
, with one for each of the testes.
It is the male equivalent of the ovarian artery
Ovarian artery
In human anatomy, the ovarian artery is a blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the ovary. It arises from the abdominal aorta below the renal artery, and does not pass out of the abdominal cavity. It can be found in the suspensory ligament of the ovary, anterior to the ovarian vein and...
. Because the testis is found in a different location than that of its female equivalent, it has a different course than the ovarian artery.
They are two slender vessels of considerable length, and arise from the front of the aorta
Aorta
The aorta is the largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it branches off into two smaller arteries...
a little below the renal arteries.
Each passes obliquely downward and lateralward behind the peritoneum
Peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity or the coelom — it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs — in amniotes and some invertebrates...
, resting on the Psoas major, the right spermatic lying in front of 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....
and behind the middle colic and ileocolic arteries and the terminal part of the ileum
Ileum
The ileum is the final section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear and the terms posterior intestine or distal intestine may be used instead of ileum.The ileum follows the duodenum...
, the left behind the left colic and sigmoid
Sigmoid
Sigmoid means resembling the lower-case Greek letter sigma or the Latin letter S. Specific uses include:* Sigmoid function, a mathematical function* Sigmoid colon, part of the large intestine or colon...
arteries and the iliac colon
Iliac colon
The iliac colon is situated in the left iliac fossa, and is about 12 to 15 cm. long.It begins at the level of the iliac crest, where it is continuous with the descending colon, and ends in the sigmoid colon at the superior aperture of the lesser pelvis....
.
Each crosses obliquely over the ureter and the lower part of the external iliac artery to reach the abdominal inguinal ring, through which it passes, and accompanies the other constituents of the 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:...
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:...
to the scrotum
Scrotum
In some male mammals the scrotum is a dual-chambered protuberance of skin and muscle containing the testicles and divided by a septum. It is an extension of the perineum, and is located between the penis and anus. In humans and some other mammals, the base of the scrotum becomes covered with curly...
, where it becomes tortuous, and divides into several branches.
Two or three of these accompany the ductus deferens, and supply 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...
, anastomosing with the artery of the ductus deferens; others pierce the back part of the tunica albuginea
Tunica albuginea
Tunica albuginea is an anatomy term that literally means "white covering."It is used to refer to three anatomical areas which include:*Tunica albuginea , the tough fibrous layer of connective tissue that surrounds the corpora cavernosa of the penis...
, and supply the substance of the testis.
The internal spermatic artery supplies one or two small branches to the ureter
Ureter
In human anatomy, the ureters are muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually long and ~3-4 mm in diameter....
, and in the inguinal canal gives one or two twigs to the Cremaster
Cremaster
Cremaster is a term derived from the Greek verb κρεμάννυμι = "I hang ", not from Latin cremare = "to burn". It may refer to:* The cremaster muscle, part of genital anatomy in human males** Cremaster reflex, a reflex in the muscle...
.