1. In females, the pampiniform plexus drains the ovaries. 2. An abnormal enlargement of the pampiniform plexus is a medical condition called varicocele. 3. The small vessels of the pampiniform plexus normally range from 0.5 1.5 mm in diameter. 4. When one is lying down, gravity may allow the drainage of the pampiniform plexus and thus make the mass not obvious. 5. Blood from the testes that cannot drain via the pampiniform plexus may route through the prostate in a process known as communicating vessels. 6. The "'pampiniform plexus "'is a network of many small veins found in the human male spermatic cord. 7. The term varicocele specifically refers to dilatation and tortuosity of the pampiniform plexus , which is the network of veins that drain the testicle. 8. Varicocele can be reliably diagnosed with ultrasound, which will show dilation of the vessels of the pampiniform plexus to greater than 2 mm. 9. In addition to its function in venous return from the testes, the pampiniform plexus also plays a role in the temperature regulation of the testes. 10. In species that have external testes ( such as humans ), the artery to the testis is surrounded by a mesh of veins called the pampiniform plexus .
