Cremaster muscle
| Cremaster muscle |
|---|
|
| Layers of the scrotum, the cremaster muscle is only shown on the right (left in the picture [red]) |
| origin |
| Internus abdominis oblique muscle |
| approach |
| Fascia spermatica interna |
| function |
| Lifting of the testicle |
| Innervation |
| Genitofemoral nerve |
The cremaster muscle ( Latin / Greek : hanger; German name: testicle lifter , also cremaster muscle ) consists of muscle fibers that branch off from the obliquus internus abdominis muscle and the transversus abdominis muscle , two muscles of the lower abdomen . They accompany the spermatic cord and attach to the fascia surrounding the testes ( Fascia spermatica interna ). This allows the testicles to be drawn towards the body. The cremaster is innervated by the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve .
function
The cremaster muscle pulls the testicle closer to the abdominal wall. If the skin on the inside of the thigh is irritated, the testicles are pulled up and are somewhat more protected. This process is called the cremaster reflex , which is an external reflex . The responsible segments in the spinal cord are L1 and L2. In animal species with a relatively wide inguinal canal and those with seasonal testicular descent, the testes can be withdrawn completely into the abdominal cavity. Even with strong sexual arousal, the testicles are also strongly drawn towards the body. This shows an approaching orgasm . Whether lifting the testicle also contributes to the thermoregulation of the testicle is now controversial. This function is entirely or predominantly performed by the tunica dartos , the smooth muscles of the scrotal skin.
In some boys or men, the raised testicles manifest as pendulum testicles , which are sometimes located in the scrotum, sometimes higher up in the inguinal canal. However, this has no disease value.
See also
literature
- Rainer Neutzling ; BZgA Federal Center for Health Education (Ed.): How's it going - how's it going? Useful information for male adolescents and young men. BZgA, Cologne 2000, DNB 961216719 , pp. 33, 100 ( full text online , PDF, 106 pages, 1.9 MB).