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Male Reproductive Tract - Horse Anatomy (view source)
Revision as of 12:05, 26 November 2012
, 12:05, 26 November 2012→Testicular Vasculature
===Testicular Vasculature===
===Testicular Vasculature===
The '''testicular artery''' is a direct branch of the '''abdominal aorta''' and runs together with the '''testicular vein'''. This has important implications when performing castration procedures as the pressure within the artery will be very high and so it is imperitive to tie the artery off properly. Within the '''spermatic cord''', the testicular artery becomes highly convoluted. Branches of the testicular artery supply the epididymis and ductus deferens. The testicular veins form a network called the '''pampiniform plexus''' around the convoluted arteries. Within the spermatic cord, there are arteriovenous anastamoses between the testicular arteries and surrounding veins. The pampiniform plexus becomes a single vein, the '''testicularis vein''',which drains into the '''caudal vena cava'''. The network of testicular veins that surround the testicular artery as the '''pampiniform plexus''', provide the testes with a countercurrent heat exchanger.
The testes require a temperature of 33°C in order for maintaining [[Spermatogenesis and Spermiation - Anatomy & Physiology|spermatogenesis]], 3-6°C lower than core body temperature. This is achieved by the countercurrent exchange system between the pampiniform plexus and the testicular artery. Heat is transfered from the warmer blood in the testicular artery to the cooler blood returning from the testes in the testicular veins. The testicular veins run close to the surface of the scrotum, so the blood within them is cooled by heat radiation from the skin of the scrotum.
===Lymphatic Drainage===
===Lymphatic Drainage===
===Innervation===
===Innervation===