[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) › Testicular vessels [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) # Testicular vessels The gonadal vessels are the long arteries and veins that run down the back of the [abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) to the [testes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/testis/) or ovaries; testicular lymph follows them upward. Official name: Testicular artery [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=abdomen&select=gonadal_vessels&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Long thin arteries and veins running down the back wall of the abdomen to the testes (male base model; the ovarian vessels in women). ## What it does Supply the testes. The left vein drains into the left renal vein, which is why varicoceles are usually on the left. ## Key points - Testicular lymph follows these vessels to the para-aortic nodes near the renal veins, so testicular cancer spreads there first, not to the inguinal nodes - They cross in front of the ureter on the psoas; in women the ovarian vessels lie close to the ureter at the pelvic brim, in the suspensory ligament of the ovary - The left testicular vein is longer and joins the [left renal vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/right-renal-vein/) at a right angle, while the right enters the [inferior vena cava](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-vena-cava/) obliquely: the basis of left-sided varicoceles ## Key facts **Origin** Testicular (ovarian) arteries: anterior aorta at L2, below renal arteries; run down on psoas and cross the ureter **Branches** Ureteric branches; enter spermatic cord at deep inguinal ring (ovarian: [suspensory ligament of ovary](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/suspensory-ligament-of-ovary/)) **Supplies** Testis and [epididymis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/epididymis/) (ovary, [uterine tube](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-tube/)); veins: pampiniform plexus, right into IVC, left into left renal vein ## Relations **Course** From the aorta at L2 they run down on the [psoas major](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/psoas-major/) behind the [peritoneum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/peritoneum/), cross in front of the [ureter](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ureter/) and the [external iliac artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-iliac-artery/) and pass through the deep inguinal ring into the [spermatic cord](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spermatic-cord/) (ovarian vessels: over the pelvic brim into the suspensory ligament of the [ovary](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ovary/)) **In front** Right: third part of the [duodenum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/duodenum/), ileocolic and right colic vessels and the root of the mesentery; left: left colic vessels and the [sigmoid colon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sigmoid-colon/) **Behind** Psoas major, [genitofemoral nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/genitofemoral-nerve/), the ureter (crossed obliquely) and lower down the external iliac vessels ## How to find it Seen once the posterior peritoneum is opened: they run down on the front of psoas major and cross in front of the ureter; the testicular vessels then reach the deep inguinal ring, while the ovarian vessels cross the pelvic brim inside the suspensory ligament of the ovary. In the [scrotum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scrotum/) the pampiniform plexus is felt as part of the spermatic cord. ## Examination - Varicocele examination, standing and then with a Valsalva manoeuvre: a soft mass like a 'bag of worms' above the testis, or one that appears only on straining, means dilated pampiniform veins; it should shrink when the person lies down ## On imaging Scrotal Doppler ultrasound shows a varicocele as dilated veins of the pampiniform plexus with reversed flow on Valsalva. On CT the gonadal veins run down beside the ureter; ovarian vein thrombosis appears as a tubular filling defect, more often on the right after childbirth. ## Clinical notes - A new right-sided varicocele, or one that does not empty lying down, raises suspicion of a mass pressing on the inferior vena cava or renal vein - Compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the [superior mesenteric artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-mesenteric-artery/) (nutcracker) can cause a left varicocele - In oophorectomy the ureter can be caught when the suspensory ligament with the ovarian vessels is clamped at the pelvic brim - Reflux in the ovarian veins is linked to pelvic congestion syndrome - Short testicular vessels can limit bringing down an undescended testis; one staged technique divides them and relies on the artery of the [ductus deferens](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ductus-deferens/) ## Anatomical variants - The [testicular artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/testicular-artery-pelvis/) may arise from the [renal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/renal-artery/) or an accessory renal artery instead of the aorta - The right testicular vein occasionally drains into the right renal vein ## Development The gonads form on the posterior abdominal wall near the upper lumbar levels and descend, taking their vessels with them: this explains the long course, the origin at L2 and the para-aortic lymph drainage. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Where do the testicular arteries arise and run? From the front of the aorta at L2, below the renal arteries; they run down on psoas major, cross in front of the ureter and enter the spermatic cord at the deep inguinal ring. ## Why are varicoceles usually on the left? The left testicular vein is longer and joins the left renal vein at a right angle, while the right enters the inferior vena cava obliquely. ## To which lymph nodes does the testis drain first, and why? To the para-aortic nodes near the renal veins, not the inguinal nodes, because the testis formed on the posterior abdominal wall and descended with its vessels. ## What does a new right-sided varicocele, or one that does not empty lying down, raise suspicion of? A mass pressing on the inferior vena cava or renal vein. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/testicular-artery/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** arteria testicularis; vena testicularis sinistra; vena testicularis dextra TA2 4288 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Vasos testiculares **English (TA2)** Testicular artery **Also called** internal spermatic artery · arteria spermatica interna · arteria spermatica ## Related - [Spermatic cord](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spermatic-cord/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Arteries](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525959/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): The Abdominal Aorta (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/testicular-artery/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/testicular-artery/