A This photo enables visualization of the arterial and venous blood supply to the bull testis and epididymis.  The testicular artery (TA) is highly convoluted and passes through the spermatic cord and surrounds the testis in the ventromedial area.  In the spermatic cord, the testicular veins (TV) are in close proximity to the torturous testicular artery.  The testicular veins (TV) seen on the surface of the testicle return venous blood to the spermatic cord.  A branch of the testicular artery, the caudal epididymal branch (CEB) can be observed.  The head of the epididymis (HE), body of the epididymis (BE) and tail of the epididymis (TE) can be seen.

B An enlarged view of a portion of the vascular cone.  The highly convoluted testicular artery (TA) has an intimate relationship with the veins of the pampiniform plexus (PP).

C A highly enlarged photograph showing the intimate relationship of the pampiniform plexus with the testicular artery (TA).  Notice the finger-like “wrappings” (arrows) of the pampiniform plexus surrounding the testicular artery (TA).  This intimate relationship provides the anatomical basis for the countercurrent heat exchanger.