Overview

The gonadal arteries arise high, just below the renal arteries, because the gonads develop high on the back wall of the abdomen and later descend, taking their blood supply with them. Each artery runs downward and outward, crossing in front of the ureter, the genitofemoral nerve and the external iliac vessels.

Testicular artery. It enters the deep inguinal ring and runs through the inguinal canal in the spermatic cord, surrounded by the pampiniform venous plexus. It joins (anastomoses) with the artery to the ductus deferens and the cremasteric artery.

Ovarian artery. It crosses the pelvic brim in the suspensory (infundibulopelvic) ligament and joins the ovarian branch of the uterine artery in the broad ligament.

Function

Supply the testes and epididymis, or the ovaries and uterine tubes.
The testicular artery and the pampiniform plexus form a countercurrent heat exchanger that keeps the testes about 2–3 °C below core body temperature.

Clinical significance

Testicular torsion

In testicular torsion, the testis twists on its spermatic cord, often because it hangs freely inside the tunica vaginalis (the "bell-clapper" deformity). The twist cuts off the testicular artery. The testis is most likely to be saved if surgery is done within about 6 hours.

Ureteric injury at oophorectomy

During removal of an ovary, the ovarian vessels are tied in the infundibulopelvic ligament. The ureter runs close by at this point and can be injured.

Referred pain

Pain from the testis or ovary is often felt around the umbilicus (T10 dermatome), reflecting where the gonads developed.

Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Cardiovascular System sources. For education only; not medical advice.