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Dartos - WiKi

[h=2]Function[/h]

In the penis, the loose attachment of the Dartos fascia to Buck's fascia is responsible for the high degree of mobility of the penile skin over the underlying tissue.[SUP][1][/SUP][SUP]66[/SUP] It is also responsible for carrying the blood supply of the penile skin, a longitudinally-coursing anastamotic network of vessels that arise from the external pudental vessels.[SUP][1][/SUP][SUP]66[/SUP]In the scrotum, the tunica dartos acts to regulate the temperature of the testicles, which promotes spermatogenesis. It does this by expanding or contracting to wrinkle the scrotal skin.

• [*=left]Contraction reduces the surface area available for heat loss, thus reducing heat loss and warming the testicles.
  

• [*=left]Conversely, expansion increases the surface area, promoting heat loss and thus cooling the testicles.
  

The dartos muscle works in conjunction with the cremaster muscle to elevate the testis but should not be confused with the cremasteric reflex.