The male reproductive system contains a number of sex organs and other structures that play very important roles in the process of human reproduction. The spermatic cord and vas deferens are two associated structures in males. Spermatic cord exists in the abdomen and extends down to each testicle. This cord contains the vas deferens, the testicular artery, the artery of the ductus deferens, the cremasteric artery, the pampiniform plexus, the tunica vaginalis, and lymphatic vessels.
The key difference between spermatic cord and vas deferens is their structure. The spermatic cord is a cord-like structure in the male reproductive system that contains nerves, blood, and lymph vessels, and the vas deferens, while the vas deferens is a coiled tube that carries sperm out of the testicle.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Spermatic Cord
3. What is Vas Deferens
4. Similarities – Spermatic Cord and Vas Deferens
5. Spermatic Cord vs Vas Deferens in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Spermatic Cord and Vas Deferens
7. FAQ – Spermatic Cord and Vas Deferens
What is Spermatic Cord?
The spermatic cord is a cord-like structure in the male reproductive system. It is formed by the surrounding tissue that runs from the deep inguinal ring down to each testicle and vas deferens. The spermatic cord is ensheathed in three layers of tissue, which include the external spermatic fascia, cremasteric muscle and fascia, and internal spermatic fascia. Moreover, the spermatic cord contains blood vessels, nerves, the vas deferens, the pampiniform plexus, and lymphatic vessels.
The main function of the spermatic cord is to suspend the testis inside the scrotum. Furthermore, the spermatic cord is sensitive to torsion, and varicose veins of the spermatic cord are also a condition that affects it.
What is Vas Deferens?
Vas deferens is a part of the male reproductive system found in many vertebrates. Its primary function is to transport sperm from the epididymides to the ejaculatory ducts during ejaculation. It is also referred to as the ductus deferens. The vas deferens typically measure 30–35 cm in length and 2–3 mm in diameter. It receives its blood supply from the arteries of the vas deferens. Within the spermatic cord, the vas deferens is situated posteriorly. Its main function is to propel sperm forward.
Furthermore, a condition affecting the function of the vas deferens is known as congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD), which can lead to male infertility. However, this condition can be treated through procedures such as testicular sperm extraction (TESE) or microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA).
Similarities Between Spermatic Cord and Vas Deferens
- Spermatic cord and vas deferens are two associated structures in the male reproductive system.
- Within the spermatic cord, the vas deferens is situated posteriorly.
- Both perform very important functions.
- They can be affected by different diseases.
Difference Between Spermatic Cord and Vas Deferens
Definition
a. The spermatic cord is a cord-like structure in the male reproductive system formed by the surrounding tissue running from the deep inguinal ring down to each testicle and vas deferens.
b. The vas deferens is a part of the male reproductive system responsible for transporting sperm from the epididymides to the ejaculatory ducts.
Starts from
a. The spermatic cord begins from the abdomen.
b. The vas deferens begins from the testicles.
Function
a. The function of the spermatic cord is to suspend the testis inside the scrotum.
b. The vas deferens propels the sperm forward.
Diseases Affected
a. The spermatic cord can be affected by conditions such as torsion and varicose veins.
b. The vas deferens may be impacted by congenital absence, leading to conditions like congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD).
The infographic below presents the differences between spermatic cord and vas deferens in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Spermatic Cord vs Vas Deferens
The spermatic cord and vas deferens are two associated structures in the male reproductive system. The spermatic cord is a cord-like structure in the male reproductive system that contains nerves, blood, and lymph vessels, and the vas deferens, while the vas deferens is a coiled tube that carries sperm out of the testicle. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between spermatic cord and vas deferens.
FAQ: Spermatic Cord and Vas Deferens
1. What is the spermatic cord and its function?
- The spermatic cord is a cord-like structure in the male reproductive system that contains nerves, blood and lymph vessels, and the vas deferens. It extends from the abdomen to the testicle and connects to the testicle in the scrotum.
2. What are the contents of the spermatic cord?
- Contents of the spermatic cord include the ductus deferens (vas deferens), artery of the ductus deferens, testicular artery, cremasteric artery, pampiniform plexus of veins, genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, lymphatics, and sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers.
3. Is the spermatic cord male or female?
- The spermatic cord is part of the male reproductive system. It is a tubular structure present in males, forming a conduit between the abdominal cavity and the testis.
4. What is the vas deferens and its function?
- The vas deferens is a long, muscular tube that travels from the epididymis into the pelvic cavity, situated just behind the urinary bladder. It transports mature sperm to the urethra in preparation for ejaculation.
5. Is the spermatic cord the same as the vas deferens?
- The spermatic cord and vas deferens are two different structures in the male reproductive system, although they are associated with each other. The spermatic cord is formed by the vas deferens and surrounding tissue, extending down to each testicle, while the vas deferens is situated posteriorly.
Reference:
1. “Spermatic Cord.” ScienceDirect Topics.
2. “Vas Deferens: Function, Anatomy & Conditions.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Spermatic cord 4” By Anatomist90 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “3D Medical Animation Vas Deferens” By Scientificanimations.com (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia Commons
