The scrotum. On the left side the cavity of the tunica vaginalis has been opened; on the right side only the layers superficial to the Cremaster have been removed.
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The function of the scrotum appears to be to keep the testicles at a temperature slightly lower than that of the rest of the body. For the human, a temperature around 34.4 degrees Celsius (94 degrees Fahrenheit) seems to be ideal; 36.7 degrees Celsius (98 degree Fahrenheit) may be damaging to sperm count. The temperature is controlled by making the scrotum tighter or looser, hence moving the testicles closer to the abdomen when it is cold, and away when hot, through the cremasteric reflex, the gradual tightening and loosening of the cremaster muscle in the abdomen and the dartos fascia (muscular tissue under the skin) in the scrotum.
Although the ideal temperature for sperm growth varies between species, it usually appears, in warm-blooded species, to be a bit cooler than internal body temperature, necessitating the scrotum. Since this leaves the testicles vulnerable in many species, there is some debate on the evolutionary advantage of such a system. One theory is that the impregnation of females who are ill is less likely when sperm is highly sensitive to elevated body temperatures.
Health issues
A common problem of the scrotum is the development of masses. Common scrotal masses include
contact dermatitis: may cause redness, swelling, and itching of the entire scrotum. Can result from soaps, solvents, detergents, and natural irritants such as poison ivy.
