In addition to its function in venous return from the testes, the pampiniform plexus also plays a role in the temperature regulation of the testes.
12.
In species that have external testes ( such as humans ), the artery to the testis is surrounded by a mesh of veins called the pampiniform plexus.
13.
The pampiniform plexus, testicular artery, cremasteric artery, artery of the ductus deferens, lymphatic vessels, testicular sympathetic nerves, and ductus deferens all run deep to the internal spermatic fascia.
14.
One non-malignant cause of a secondary varicocele is the so-called " Nutcracker syndrome ", a condition in which the superior mesenteric artery compresses the left renal vein, causing increased pressures there to be transmitted retrograde into the left pampiniform plexus.
15.
These again unite to form a single vein, the testicular vein, which opens on the right side into the inferior vena cava, at an acute angle, and on the left side into the left renal vein, at a right angle . The pampiniform plexus forms the chief mass of the cord.
16.
The veins emerge from the back of the testis, and receive tributaries from the epididymis; they unite and form a convoluted plexus, called the pampiniform plexus, which constitutes the greater mass of the spermatic cord; the vessels composing this plexus are very numerous, and ascend along the cord, in front of the ductus deferens.
17.
Other signs and symptom may include haematuria; loin pain; abdominal mass; malaise, which is a general feeling of feeling unwell; weight loss and / or loss of appetite; anaemia resulting from depression of erythropoietin; erythrocytosis ( increased production of red blood cells ) due to increased erythropoietin secretion; varicocele, which is seen in males as an enlargement of the pampiniform plexus of veins draining the testis ( more often the left testis ) hypertension ( high blood pressure ) resulting from secretion of renin by the tumour; hypercalcemia, which is elevation of calcium levels in the blood; sleep disturbance or night sweats; recurrent fevers; and chronic fatigue.
