Why does a varicocele increase the scrotal temperature?
Normally, a plexus of veins called the pampiniform plexus acts as a heat sump for blood entering the scrotum. Before the blood at body temperature (98.6 degrees F) enters the scrotum, some heat is transferred from the testicular artery to the pampiniform plexus which should draw the heated blood away from the scrotum. With a varicocele, there is congestion in the pampiniform plexus and the exchange of heat doesn’t work. For those with a technical background, the pampiniform plexus acts as a counter-current exchanger.
