Scrotum facts for kids

The scrotum is a special pouch of skin and muscle that holds the testicles (often called balls) in male mammals. It is found between the penis and the anus. The scrotum has a slightly raised line on its skin, which is called the raphe.

The Scrotum's Important Job

The main job of the scrotum is to keep the testicles a little cooler than the rest of the body. This is very important for making healthy sperm.

Keeping Testicles Cool

Human testicles work best at about 36.8 degrees Celsius (98 degrees Fahrenheit). This is slightly cooler than the normal body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). If the testicles get too warm, it can harm the sperm inside them.

The scrotum helps control this temperature. When the testicles are too cold, muscles in the scrotum pull them closer to the body to warm them up. When they are too hot, the muscles relax, moving the testicles further away to cool down. This constant movement helps keep the temperature just right.

Why Temperature Matters for Different Animals

The best temperature for testicles can be different for various species of animals. However, for most male mammals, it's usually a bit cooler than their body temperature. This is why the testicles are often held outside the body in a scrotum.

How the Scrotum Protects

The scrotum also helps protect the testicles. If there's a danger, the scrotum can pull the testicles closer to the body. Testicles are very sensitive, and getting hit there can cause a lot of pain. Moving them closer helps avoid injury.

Another idea is that being outside the body protects the testicles from being crushed or jolted from inside. Interestingly, animals that move slowly, like elephants, whales, and moles, have their testicles inside their bodies and do not have a scrotum.

See also

In Spanish: Escroto para niños