Testicular artery

The Testicular artery (also known as the internal spermatic arteries in males and the ovarian arteries in females) is a branch of the abdominal aorta that supplies blood to the testes in males and the ovaries in females. It is a paired artery, with one for each testis or ovary.

Anatomy

The testicular artery arises from the front of the aorta, just below the renal artery. It descends in the abdomen, and, passing behind the peritoneum, runs along the external iliac artery to the internal inguinal ring, through which it passes, and accompanies the other constituents of the spermatic cord along the inguinal canal to the scrotum.

Function

The primary function of the testicular artery is to supply blood to the testes. It does this by branching off the aorta, the main blood vessel of the body, and running down to the testes. The blood it carries provides the testes with the oxygen and nutrients they need to function.

Clinical significance

Damage to the testicular artery can lead to testicular torsion, a medical emergency that can result in the loss of the testis if not treated promptly. Testicular torsion occurs when the spermatic cord, which contains the testicular artery, veins, and nerves, twists and cuts off the blood supply to the testis.

See also

• Abdominal aorta
• Testes
• Testicular torsion
• Spermatic cord

References

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