Body & health

Scrotum

Alsoscrotal sacscrotal

Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.

Definition

The scrotum is the pouch of skin and muscle behind the penis that holds the testicles and helps keep them at the right temperature.

At a glance

  • The scrotum is the pouch of skin and muscle that holds the testicles.
  • Its muscles draw the testicles closer to the body in the cold and relax in the warmth.
  • This helps keep the slightly cooler temperature that sperm production needs.
  • Swelling can come from fluid, enlarged veins (varicocele), infections or hernias.
  • Any new swelling or lump should be checked, and sudden severe pain needs urgent care.

In detail

Muscles in the scrotum contract to draw the testicles closer to the body when it is cold and relax to let them hang lower when it is warm. This helps maintain the slightly cooler temperature that sperm production needs.

Swelling in the scrotum can have many causes, including fluid collections, enlarged veins (varicocele), infections such as epididymitis, or hernias. Most are not dangerous, but any new swelling or lump is worth getting checked, and sudden severe pain needs urgent medical attention.

In a sentence

  • The doctor examined the swelling in his scrotum and arranged an ultrasound.
  • The leaflet explained that the scrotum helps keep the testicles at the right temperature.

Where the word comes from

From Latin scrotum, the classical term for the same pouch of skin.

Common questions

Why does the scrotum change size?

Muscles in the scrotum contract in the cold, drawing the testicles closer to the body, and relax in the warmth so they hang lower. This keeps the testicles at the slightly cooler temperature that sperm production needs.

What causes a swollen scrotum?

There are many causes, including fluid collections, enlarged veins (varicocele), infections such as epididymitis, and hernias. Most are not dangerous, but any new swelling or lump is worth getting checked by a doctor, and sudden severe pain needs urgent medical attention.

Related terms

Sources

  1. Planned ParenthoodWhat are the parts of the male sexual anatomy?
  2. MedlinePlusTesticular Disorders