scrotum /skrō″təm/ , the pouch of skin containing the testes and parts of the spermatic cords. It is divided on the surface into two lateral parts by a ridge that continues ventrally to the undersurface of the penis and dorsally along the middle line of the perineum to the anus. In young, robust individuals the scrotum is short and corrugated and closely wraps the testes. In older people and debilitated individuals and in warm environments the scrotum becomes elongated and flaccid. The two layers of the scrotum are the skin and the dartos tunic. The skin is brownish and very thin, is usually wrinkled, and has thinly scattered kinky hairs. The dartos tunic is composed of a thin layer of unstriated muscular fibers around the base of the scrotum. The tunic projects an internal septum that divides the pouch into two cavities for the testes, extending between the scrotal ridge and the root of the penis. The scrotum is highly vascular and contains no fat. See also testis. −scrotal, adj.
