Add and identify the levator ani and coccygeus muscles, which form the muscular floor of the pelvis and support the pelvic organs.
Add and identify the Iliopsoas muscle group, which contributes to hip flexion and forms part of the pelvic wall.
Note: To simplify visualization, the nerves, arteries, and veins have been excluded for now and will be added in later steps.
Add the rectum and internal anal canal, noting their location in relation to the pelvic diaphragm.
Male pelvic organs Tap on image to enlarge
Add the seminal vesicles, which are located posterolateral to the bladder.
Add the ductus deferentes as they ascend from the scrotum and course posterior to the bladder, meeting the duct of the seminal vesicles.
Add the prostate, positioned inferior to the bladder with the prostatic urethra within it.
Add the testis, located in the scrotum.
What structure anchors the testis to the scrotum?
The gubernaculum guides the descent of the testis from the posterior abdominal wall into the scrotum during development and anchors the testis to the scrotum.
What is the embryological significance of the gubernaculum?
The gubernaculum essentially pulls the testis into the scrotum.
What is the clinical significance of the scrotal ligament?
The attachment point of the scrotal ligament provides the axis on which the testis rotates during testicular torsion.
Why does this individual have only one testis?
Possible explanations include surgical removal (orchiectomy), cryptorchidism, trauma, or congenital absence.
Which of these possibilities is most likely?
1. Undescended testes have potential for becoming cancerous. Therefore they are usually removed. However, they rarely descend as far as the inguinal canal. Notice his ductus deferens is located in the inguinal canal. Usually, a testis found in the inguinal canal can be brought into the scrotum.
2. Testicular cancer requires an extensive removal of not only the testes but the entire spermatic cord in order to avoid the spread of cancer.
3. Testicular torsions are a surgical emergency. Delay can cause necrosis of the testis and in extreme cases need to be removed. The ductus deferens need not be pulled back into the abdomen. Therefore, this is the most likely explanation.
