The testes (at least in human males) are vascular organs, the vascularization ex

Question

The testes (at least in human males) are vascular organs, the vascularization extending even o the interstitial spaces of the seminiferous tubules. The function of the scrotal sac, is to isolate the testes from the abdominal cavity, and provide a lower temperature (1?2?C lower than normal body temperature of 37?C).

But since the blood is the main temperature-buffer maintaining the normal body temperature and the scrotal (testicular) tissues are considerably vascularized, why doesn't the blood flow raise the scrotal temperature to normal body temperature?

If the reason is the location of scrotum external to the abdomen, then all limbs and limb-extremities are located in the similar way (and in those cases, heat dissipation would be faster than in case of scrotum due to less surrounding insulation by thighs and clothes), and hence the temperature of all parts except the interior of the head and abdomen must be at considerably lower temperature? Is this the case?

Explanation / Answer

The fingers and toes (for example) ARE at lower temperatures than the interior of the torso. It's why it's so easy to get frostbite on the extremities. As for temperature regulation of the testes, you have to also consider that humans evolved without clothes...i.e. The testes just "hang out" and get lots of airflow, as opposed to modern times, when they are typically under (usually) more than one layer of clothing.

Also, for reference, I took some quick IR temp readings on myself:

Room temp: 19.9C

Fingertip: 27.0C

Palm: 31.8C

Axilla: 34.6C

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