Anatom3DTesticular veins
Venae testiculares · Varlatové žíly
Veins · male only
Looks like
A mesh of veins round the artery in the cord (the pampiniform plexus) that joins into one vein: the right drains into the vena cava, the left into the left renal vein.
What it does
Carries blood back from the testis and draws heat from the incoming artery, keeping the testis cooler than the body.
Keeping it well
Widened veins form a varicocele, felt as a 'bag of worms', usually on the left; a new one on the right or in an older man needs a scan of the abdomen.