key term - Scrotum

Definition

The scrotum is an external pouch of skin and muscle that houses and protects the testes, playing a crucial role in regulating their temperature for optimal sperm production. It contracts or relaxes in response to temperature changes, ensuring the testes remain slightly cooler than the body's core temperature.

Related terms

Testes:

Gonads in males that produce sperm and testosterone, located within the scrotum.

Spermatogenesis:

The process of sperm production that occurs within the testes, highly dependent on optimal temperatures maintained by the scrotum.

Thermoregulation:

The process of maintaining internal body temperature within certain limits, with the scrotum being a key player in this process for male reproductive health