Cremaster muscle

The cremaster muscle is a muscle which covers the testis. Its function is to raise and lower the scrotum in order to regulate the temperature of the testis. The cremaster develops to its full extent only in males; in females it is represented by only a few muscle loops. It takes origin from the middle segment of the inguinal ligament.

The Cremaster is used clinically to test the cremasteric reflex. When the inner sides of the thigh are stroked gently, the scrotum is elevated. The reflex is clearly present in children, less so in adults.