Difference Between Spermatic Cord and Inguinal Canal

The key difference between spermatic cord and inguinal canal is that spermatic cord is a collection of vessels, nerves and ducts that run to and from the testes while the inguinal canal is a passage that allows the spermatic cord to pass through.

Spermatic cord and inguinal canal are two types of tube-like structures present in the male reproductive system. Of these, the spermatic cord runs through the inguinal canal. Whereas, the inguinal canal is the passage in the anterior abdominal wall that conveys the spermatic cord in males. Spermatic cord is a collection of vessels, nerves and ducts that run to and from the testes. Also, the spermatic cord is short and small while the inguinal canal is larger. Besides, there are two spermatic cords, as well as two inguinal canals coming from each testis.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Spermatic Cord 
3. What is Inguinal Canal
4. Similarities Between Spermatic Cord and Inguinal Canal
5. Side by Side Comparison – Spermatic Cord vs Inguinal Canal in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Spermatic Cord?

Spermatic cord is the cord-like structure in males, formed by the vas deferens and surrounding tissue called fascia. It is a collection of vessels, nerves and ducts. It runs from the deep inguinal ring down to each testicle. There are two spermatic cords running from each testicle. Structurally, three layers of tissues ensheath the spermatic cord. They are external spermatic fascia, cremasteric muscle and fascia and internal spermatic fascia. The diameter of the spermatic cord is around 16 mm, and it is relatively short.

Spermatic cord starts at the deep inguinal ring, passes through the inguinal canal, enters the scrotum via the superficial inguinal ring, continues into the scrotum and ends at the posterior border of the testes. The primary function of the spermatic cord is facilitating the passage of semen. Moreover, it consists of important blood vessels and nerves. Sometimes it is necessary to do a surgery in the spermatic cord in order to preserve the blood supply to the testicle and the continuity of the ductus deferens.

What is Inguinal Canal?

The inguinal canal is a passage that extends inferiorly and medially in the anterior abdominal wall. Moreover, it is superior and parallel to the inguinal ligament. Inguinal canal serves as a canal for several structures to pass through from the abdominal wall to external genitalia. The spermatic cord runs through the inguinal canal. There are two inguinal canals, one on each side.

Moreover, the inguinal canal has two openings as superficial and deep rings. Deep inguinal ring is the entrance of the inguinal canal. Generally, the length of the inguinal canal is about 4 – 6 cm. There are four main parts of the inguinal canal: floor, anterior wall, posterior wall, and roof.

What are the Similarities Between Spermatic Cord and Inguinal Canal?

• Spermatic cord and inguinal canal are two parts of the male reproductive system.
• The spermatic cord passes through the inguinal canal.
• There are two spermatic cords and two inguinal canals in each male reproductive system.

What is the Difference Between Spermatic Cord and Inguinal Canal?

The spermatic cord is a group of structures including vas deferens, arteries, veins, lymphatic vessels, and nerves that pass through the inguinal canal to the testis while the inguinal canal is a passage that facilitates the running of several structures, especially spermatic cord, through it. So, this is the key difference between spermatic cord and inguinal canal. Besides, the spermatic cord is smaller in diameter and length than the inguinal canals. Thus, this is the structural difference between spermatic cord and inguinal canal.

Moreover, the spermatic cord begins in the inferior abdomen and ends in the scrotum. But, the inguinal canal is present in the anterior abdominal wall just above the inguinal ligament. Furthermore, the spermatic cord facilitates the passage of semen while the inguinal canal serves as a pathway by which structures can pass from the abdominal wall to the external genitalia. Therefore, This is the functional difference between spermatic cord and inguinal canal.

Summary – Spermatic Cord vs Inguinal Canal

In short, the spermatic cord is a bundle of structures including vas deferens, arteries, veins, lymphatic vessels, and nerves that pass through the inguinal canal to the testis. There are two spermatic cords in the male reproductive system. The cords extend from the testes to the inguinal rings. Inguinal canal is a passage in the lower anterior abdominal wall, superior to the inguinal ligament. Spermatic cord runs through the inguinal canal. Thus, this summarizes the difference between spermatic cord and inguinal canal.

Reference:

1. “The Spermatic Cord “. Teachmeanatomy.Info, 2020, Available here.
2. Tuma, Faiz et al. “Anatomy, Abdomen And Pelvis, Inguinal Region (Inguinal Canal)”. Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov, 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Gray1227” By Henry Vandyke Carter – Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body (See “Book” section below)Bartleby.com: Gray’s Anatomy, Plate 1227 (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Gray1146” By Henry Vandyke Carter – Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body (See “Book” section below)Bartleby.com: Gray’s Anatomy, Plate 1146 (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia