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Glite Dictionary
spermatic cord

spermatic cord

7.8
A tube that holds a testis in the scrotum and contains the tube that carries sperm, blood vessels and nerves
  • noun
  • /spərˈmætɪk kɔrd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cordón espermático
  • Torsion of the spermatic cord first leads to a decrease in the blood flow to the testis.

Examples

  • During the surgery, the doctor carefully examined the spermatic cord to ensure there were no complications.

  • The spermatic cord carries blood vessels and nerves that support the development of the testis.

  • The spermatic cord and testes were extracted, and the pudic-epigastric vascular pedicle of the muscle was left intact.

    Academic text (2015)

  • An injury to the spermatic cord can cause significant pain and may require medical attention.

Surface Forms

spermatic cord singular
spermatic cords plural

Morphology

spermatic + cord

The term is compositionally formed from 'spermatic' (relating to sperm or the male reproductive system) plus 'cord' (a cord-like structure), so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a cord-like anatomical structure associated with sperm/testes. However, it is a technical medical term whose precise contents and function (vas deferens, vessels, nerves, suspension of the testis) are not fully predictable from the parts alone, making the transparency partial.

Etymology

Spermatic cord is a name for the rope-like bundle that hangs the testis and carries the tiny tubes and blood vessels for the testis. The word spermatic points to 'sperm' and cord means 'rope', so the phrase gives a clear image of a 'rope' that holds and supplies the testis.