Anatomy and function of scrotal ligament.

The anatomy of the scrotal ligament has been studied in 22 cadavers by dissection and histologic examination. The ligament could be identified in 20 cadavers. It binds the scrotal skin firmly to the tunica vaginalis at the lower testicular pole. The embryonic nature of the ligament is discussed. It synchronizes the crematerico-dartos action under normal and varied temperatures. Absence of the ligament results in disordered testicular thermoregulation and may be a factor in the genesis of subfertility; the mechanisms involved are discussed. The difference between the aligamentous testicle and the high scrotal undescended testicle is discussed.