Cremaster muscle
Cremaster
- Latin synonym: Musculus cremaster
- Synonym: Cremaster muscle
- Eponym: Cooper; Riolan
- Related terms: Cremaster male
Definition
Cremaster muscle | |||
Origin | Lower fibres of internal abdominal oblique muscle | ||
Insertion | Forms coverings of spermatic cord and testis | ||
Artery | Cremasteric artery (branch of inferior epigastric artery) | ||
Innervation | Genital branch of genitofemoral nerve (L1, L2) | ||
Action | Elevates testis, assists in thermoregulation of testis | ||
The cremaster muscle is a thin layer of skeletal muscle that surrounds the spermatic cord and testis within the scrotum. It is derived mainly from the lower fibres of the internal abdominal oblique muscle during the descent of the testes through the inguinal canal.
The muscle forms loops around the spermatic cord and lies between the internal and external spermatic fasciae.
Blood Supply
The muscle is supplied by the cremasteric artery, a branch of the inferior epigastric artery.
Innervation
It is innervated by the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve (L1-L2).
Actions
The cremaster muscle elevates the testes, helping regulate testicular temperature and protect the testes from trauma.
Cremasteric reflex
The cremaster muscle is involved in the cremasteric reflex, where stroking the superomedial thigh causes elevation of the ipsilateral testis. Absence of this reflex may indicate testicular torsion or neurological injury.
References
Şengül, G. and Ertekin, C. (2020) Human cremaster muscle and cremasteric reflex: A comprehensive review, Clinical Neurophysiology, 131(6), pp. 13541364. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2020.03.011.
