Anatom3DPampiniform plexus
Plexus pampiniformis · Pleteň pampiniformní
Veins · male only
Looks like
A net of up to a dozen small veins wound round the testicular artery in the spermatic cord, joining into the testicular vein higher up.
What it does
Cools the arterial blood on its way to the testis — sperm need about 2 °C below body temperature.
Keeping it well
Widened, it is a varicocele ('bag of worms'), usually on the left; most need nothing, repair is considered for pain or reduced fertility.