The testicular artery is a pair of blood vessels in the male body, each responsible for delivering oxygenated blood to one of the testicles. It accounts for approximately two-thirds of the total blood supply to the testicle, working alongside other smaller arteries. Understanding this vessel’s path and purpose is fundamental to male reproductive health.
Anatomical Path of the Testicular Artery
The testicular artery branches directly from the abdominal aorta, just below the renal arteries, typically at the L2-L3 vertebral levels. From this origin, each artery descends inferolaterally, positioned behind the peritoneum and resting on the psoas major muscle. The right testicular artery passes in front of the inferior vena cava, while the left runs behind the inferior mesenteric vein.
Each testicular artery then crosses over the ureter and the lower part of the external iliac artery. It enters the deep inguinal ring, becoming a component of the spermatic cord as it traverses the inguinal canal. The artery reaches the scrotum, where it becomes tortuous and divides into several branches to supply its target organs. In females, the anatomical equivalent is the ovarian artery, which follows a different path due to the differing location of the ovaries.
Blood Supply and Function
The testicular artery delivers oxygenated blood to the testis and epididymis. This blood flow is necessary for proper functioning of these reproductive organs. The artery also gives off smaller branches that supply parts of the ureters and the cremaster muscle during its course.
The blood is important for spermatogenesis, the process of sperm production within the seminiferous tubules of the testes. Additionally, this blood supply supports the synthesis of male hormones, primarily testosterone, by Leydig cells. The pampiniform plexus of veins, which surrounds the testicular artery within the spermatic cord, helps regulate the temperature of the arterial blood entering the testis, maintaining it 2-4°C cooler than core body temperature, optimal for sperm production.
Clinical Significance
The testicular artery is clinically significant in conditions that compromise its blood flow, such as testicular torsion. This emergency occurs when the spermatic cord, containing the testicular artery, twists. The twisting constricts the artery, cutting off blood supply to the testicle.
Without prompt intervention, typically within 4-6 hours, lack of blood flow can lead to irreversible damage due to ischemia, resulting in tissue death. Surgical untwisting of the spermatic cord, known as orchiopexy, is performed to restore blood flow and save the testicle. During this procedure, the testicle is often secured to the scrotal wall with sutures to prevent future twisting. The testicular artery is also considered in other surgical contexts, such as varicocelectomy, a procedure to address varicoceles, which are enlarged veins in the scrotum.