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aberdeenwriter · Feb 14, 2006, 06:30 PM

Men's File: Why is the Scrotum so Sensitive?

I was doing a bit of Googling on the subject of the scrotum.

To be specific, why is the scrotum so sensitive?

One of the things I've found is that many sites, including some which would have you think of them as more scientifically oriented, deal with the subject of the scrotum as though the scrotum and the testicles are one and the same.

Here's news. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME.

The scrotum is the sac which houses the testicles.

So, if you were kicked in the balls, it's likely the intense pain you'd feel was from testicular pain rather than scrotum-ular pain.

And yet the scrotum, that wrinkly, hairy sac of skin is also quite sensitive.

Anyone who has ever had an itch on their balls will tell you, scratch the scrotum too hard and the pain will become too intense to bear and once you stop scratching that pain persists for several seconds. The amount and the nature of the pain and the length of time it persists is quite different than scratching ANYWHERE else on the body.

Another unusual aspect of scrotum sensitivity is it's reaction to chemicals.

Rubbing alcohol on the legs or arms has a cooling sensation. But splash rubbing alcohol on the scrotum and it will burn like the dickens, so long in fact that you will make a point to not let that ever happen again.

My question is why is the scrotum so sensitive?

Rather than search for the answer on Google I thought I'd open it up to all of us here. We have some pretty intelligent and well informed posters and I wouldn't be surprised if one of you knew the answer straightaway.

So, here it is.

Why is the scrotum so sensitive?

analogika · Feb 14, 2006, 06:37 PM

I psoted in this already legendary aberdeenwriter thread.

BlueSky · Feb 14, 2006, 06:40 PM

The scrotum regulates temperature of the testicles, which need to be kept at a precise temp for healthy little spermoids.

aberdeenwriter · Feb 14, 2006, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by BlueSky

The scrotum regulates temperature of the testicles, which need to be kept at a precise temp for healthy little spermoids.

[Ed McMahon] You are correct, sir![/Ed McMahon]

But why the sensitivity to mild scratching and alcohol?

euphras · Feb 14, 2006, 06:57 PM

The skin is very thin compared to other parts of the body, so alcohol penetrates it rather quick and reaches the nerve ends (i suppose, never have tested it using my hardware

)

boots · Feb 14, 2006, 07:02 PM

Is that a llama I hear in the distance?

awaspaas · Feb 14, 2006, 07:11 PM

Naturally the skin will evolve to be very sensitive when there's something important right on the other side to protect.

Tomchu · Feb 14, 2006, 07:12 PM

I would assume it's nature's warning system NOT to mess with that area, as it'ss vital for proliferation of the species.

Kevin · Feb 14, 2006, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by Tomchu

I would assume it's nature's warning system NOT to mess with that area, as it'ss vital for proliferation of the species.

This nature person is sure smart.

awaspaas · Feb 14, 2006, 07:21 PM

No worries, Kevin, he meant "God's warning system" instead of "nature's" - a simple oversight, I'm sure.

aberdeenwriter · Feb 14, 2006, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by awaspaas

Naturally the skin will evolve to be very sensitive when there's something important right on the other side to protect.

That's interesting. One would think it would be thicker and tougher to protect. Except that it also must stay cool as per BlueSky's post. So, thinner might be the way to accomplish both.

Hmm...

aberdeenwriter · Feb 14, 2006, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by boots

Is that a llama I hear in the distance?

Hmmm,,,

I don't know but I don't get the same sense of excitement about this subject as I had about Anna Benson.

No offense to you or analogika.

Maybe if "What_the_Heck" shows up and does his thing...

sahnapiranha · Feb 14, 2006, 08:00 PM

Maybe the more appropriate question is: Why is a llama's scrotum so sensitive?

Rolling Bones · Feb 14, 2006, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by aberdeenwriter

I was doing a bit of oogling on my the scrotum.

fixinated!

Awesome!

Kevin · Feb 14, 2006, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by awaspaas

No worries, Kevin,.

Who was worrying? I think you took my post the wrong way.

Rolling Bones · Feb 14, 2006, 08:16 PM

Bill Clinton might know the answer to this mysterious thru the ages question.

He told me it may be to keep your balls from overheating.

BlueSky · 11:41 PM

Chuck Norris' scrotum isn't sensitive. It can be stretched to form a parachute when he's shoved from a plane.

Chuck Norris peels potatoes with his scrotum, slices them with his scrotum hairs, flash-fries them with his laser vision and then pulverizes them into nothingness with his mighty fists just to piss off all you whiney, liberal potato huggers.

etc.

aberdeenwriter · Feb 14, 2006, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Rolling Bones

fixinated!

Awesome!

Originally Posted by Mr. Sulu
I was doing a bit of oogling. Oh my. A scrotum.

Enterprisinated.

Warped!

aberdeenwriter · Feb 14, 2006, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by BlueSky

Chuck Norris' scrotum isn't sensitive. It can be stretched to form a parachute when he's shoved from a plane.

Hell, MacGyver could do all that!

In fact anyone whose name is MAC GUY ver has GOT to be extraordinary.

Or extraordinarily geeky.

aberdeenwriter · Feb 14, 2006, 08:34 PM

oops

MM-o4 · Feb 14, 2006, 08:38 PM

being so sensitive is the body's way of telling you these things are important.
No balls no children. You need them. If they were the tuffest part of you the more
likely they could be hurt so they don't function properly.

MM

Rolling Bones · Feb 14, 2006, 08:41 PM

Hella, Ahnold can bench press 250 lbs. with his scrotum.

Screw Norris!

The Godfather · Feb 14, 2006, 08:54 PM

I question the premise of your question, Aberdeen. How do you know that sensitive scrotums are the norm rather than the exception. You assumed yours is not atypical.

ghporter · Feb 14, 2006, 09:01 PM

The skin of the scrotum, along with most of the rest of that "sensitive region" is different from most other skin. Where normal skin has a fairly thick layer of cells filled with keratin, a waterproofing protein, the scrotum is made of non-keratinized epithelium, as are the other structures in that "sensitive region," along with the lips, nipples, and a few others. So instead of having a basically dead layer of protein-filled cells protecting it from the outside world, the scrotum's epithelial cells are pretty much exposed. This exposes the extremely numerous nerve endings in the scrotum to whatever the world throws at it-and allows for very sensitive temperature regulation, too.

By the way, female structures in this same region are also non-keratinized, and are likewise extremely sensitive. This points up the interesting fact that all of these structures are sensitive to ALL forms of stimulation, functional and recreational.

aberdeenwriter · Feb 14, 2006, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by The Godfather

I question the premise of your question, Aberdeen. How do you know that sensitive scrotums are the norm rather than the exception. You assumed yours is not atypical.

Actually, yes. Quite insightful of you, I must say!

While I was writing the post it occurred to me that I MIGHT be telling the world that my nutsak was weirdly sensitive and that everyone else might say, "well you're alone in that regard, old chap!"

Nonetheless, I plowed onward and steeled myself to the possibility that I was, in yet one more respect, (as called by some poster) 'special.'

Good call, Vito!

aberdeenwriter · Feb 14, 2006, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by ghporter

The skin of the scrotum, along with most of the rest of that "sensitive region" is different from most other skin. Where normal skin has a fairly thick layer of cells filled with keratin, a waterproofing protein, the scrotum is made of non-keratinized epithelium, as are the other structures in that "sensitive region," along with the lips, nipples, and a few others. So instead of having a basically dead layer of protein-filled cells protecting it from the outside world, the scrotum's epithelial cells are pretty much exposed. This exposes the extremely numerous nerve endings in the scrotum to whatever the world throws at it-and allows for very sensitive temperature regulation, too.

By the way, female structures in this same region are also non-keratinized, and are likewise extremely sensitive. This points up the interesting fact that all of these structures are sensitive to ALL forms of stimulation, functional and recreational.

THIS is what I was hoping to read!

Thanks, ghporter!

wdlove · Feb 14, 2006, 09:29 PM

We are all very lucky that the scrotum is sensitive. Some pleasure is very important. Protection of the testicles is of utmost importance.

Dork. · Feb 14, 2006, 10:39 PM

Sourbook · Feb 14, 2006, 11:27 PM

Q: Why is the Scrotum so Sensitive?

A: Because it's very important.

starman · Feb 15, 2006, 09:31 AM

So...you Googled it but still had to come here for an answer? The Interweb must be broken.

11011001 · Feb 15, 2006, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by starman

So...you Googled it but still had to come here for an answer? The internet must be broken.

I think you will appreciate my corrections. Good day to you!!!

nredman · Feb 15, 2006, 10:12 AM

I posted in the Scrotum Thread

B Gallagher · Feb 15, 2006, 10:57 AM

Interesting reading. Thanks ghporter.

PacHead · Feb 15, 2006, 12:08 PM

My girlfriend loves to play with my scrotum.

d4nth3m4n · Feb 15, 2006, 01:10 PM

::maroma:: · Feb 15, 2006, 01:55 PM

The scrotum is so sensitive because it was abused as a child. Verbally, physically and emotionally abused. That would make just about anyone or anything sensitive.

boots · Feb 15, 2006, 02:02 PM

This thread has failed to deliver.

besson3c · Feb 15, 2006, 02:29 PM

My scrotum is beautiful...

No, I don't think you understand, I mean BEAUTIFUL.. By that, I mean a work of art. Pristine. Totally incredible.

I have a beautiful scrotum.

MindFad · Feb 15, 2006, 02:39 PM

This is an awfully ballsy topic for MacNN.

d4nth3m4n · Feb 15, 2006, 02:50 PM

*rimshot*

aberdeenwriter · Feb 15, 2006, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by starman

So...you Googled it but still had to come here for an answer? The Interweb must be broken.

I only Googled it for 3 and a half minutes. Then I smoked one, rolled over and fell asleep.

mac-at-kearsarge · Feb 15, 2006, 06:54 PM

OK, since this is as closest to a serious discussion we've ever had since...well...ever, I'm going to at my two cents on this sensitive (pun semi intended) subject.

As it has been brought up that the amount of sensitivty could vary from person to person, I believe this statement to be true, As I would not descrube my personal sensetivity as being high in that body region. Infact, I would rate it the same as any other epidermal (sp?) sensitivity.

On the other hand, this could could indicate that I'm semi numb). This could be aligned with some of the threads I'm made over the years here that would indicate I'm not "the brightest bulb in the box" (which is by my own admittance).

macaddict0001 · Feb 15, 2006, 07:10 PM

Its mostly the interior thats sensitive in my case, but the scrotum is more sensitive than most skin.

besson3c · Feb 15, 2006, 07:12 PM

This thread is meaningless without pics!

Dork. · Feb 15, 2006, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by boots

This thread has failed to deliver.

Dude, I busted out the nutsack squirrel just for this thread! What more can we do to deliver?

Millennium · Feb 15, 2006, 07:15 PM

I think it's an evolutionary advantage. Consider: the scrotum is very thin. This aids in its function of regulating temperature; thicker scrotums (scrota?) don't dissipate heat as well, and so fewer sperm are produced; this is basic natural selection at work. But that thinness has a drawback: the scrotum is very delicate compared to most of the rest of the body.

Pain serves as a warning that some part of the body has been or is about to be damaged. But scratches or punctures which wouldn't cause too much damage elsewhere in the body could do severe damage to the scrotum. If the scrotum were only as sensitive as the rest of the body is on average, then there would not be a proper sense of scale, and it's likely that many scrota in the past took severe damage without the owner noticing all that much. But if the scrotum were to be more sensitive, then the sensations from that region would give a better warning that something Very Bad was about to happen, and so the possessor of said scrotum could react appropriately.

besson3c · Feb 15, 2006, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Dork.

Dude, I busted out the nutsack squirrel just for this thread! What more can we do to deliver?

How about a scrotum beauty contest?

Seems like everybody is shying away from the idea because they know I would win...

boots · Feb 15, 2006, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Dork.

Dude, I busted out the nutsack squirrel just for this thread! What more can we do to deliver?

Yeah. the one shining moment. Make that two now on account of the transparent, animated gif.

If more people could take the time to make fun of the thread, then it would go places.

besson3c · Feb 15, 2006, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by boots

Yeah. the one shining moment. Make that two now on account of the transparent, animated gif.

If more people could take the time to make fun of the thread, then it would go places.

I wish the thread would go to the store and buy me some more fruit rollups....

aberdeenwriter · Feb 15, 2006, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by mac-at-kearsarge

OK, since this is as closest to a serious discussion we've ever had since...well...ever, I'm going to at my two cents on this sensitive (pun semi intended) subject.

As it has been brought up that the amount of sensitivty could vary from person to person, I believe this statement to be true, As I would not descrube my personal sensetivity as being high in that body region. Infact, I would rate it the same as any other epidermal (sp?) sensitivity.

On the other hand, this could could indicate that I'm semi numb). This could be aligned with some of the threads I'm made over the years here that would indicate I'm not "the brightest bulb in the box" (which is by my own admittance).

Splash a few drops of rubbing alcohol on the suspected insensitive area. If you hear a loud noise coming from your mouth, I'd say you were normal.

If you don't, then no big deal. You'll live. Don't worry. Be happy.