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The '''scrotum''' is found in most male mammals, including humans. It is the sack that contains the testes. In humans the scrotum hangs just below the [[penis]]. It is described as follows:
<blockquote>
the pouch that contains the testes and their accessory organs. It is composed of [[skin]], the tunica dartos, fascia, and the tunica vaginalis testis. Each testis is connected to a cremaster muscle descending from the abdominal wall. During cold weather these muscles draw the testes closer to the body to maintain their temperature, and in hot weather the reverse occurs; the scrotum usually follows this movement.<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/scrotum
|title=Scrotum
|date=1989
|pages=935-6
}}</ref>. Temperature control is accomplished by the smooth muscles of the scrotum moving the testicles either closer to or further away from the abdomen dependent upon the ambient temperature. This is accomplished by the cremaster muscle in the abdomen and the [[dartos]] fascia (muscular tissue under the [[skin]]).<ref name="Van de Graaff 1989"/>
Having the scrotum and testicles situated outside the abdominal cavity may provide additional advantages. The external scrotum is not affected by abdominal pressure. This may prevent the emptying of the testes before the sperm were matured sufficiently for fertilization<ref name="Van de Graaff 1989"/>. Another advantage is it protects the testes from jolts and compressions associated with an active lifestyle. Animals that move at a steady pace – such as elephants, whales, and marsupial moles – have internal testes and no scrotum.<ref>{{REFweb