The scrotum is a pouch of skin that hangs below the penis and holds the testicles. It typically looks like a wrinkled, slightly saggy sac with a visible seam running down the middle. Its appearance changes constantly depending on temperature, arousal, and age, so there’s a wide range of “normal.” Here’s what to expect in detail.
General Shape and Structure
The scrotum is a soft, oval-shaped pouch divided internally into two compartments, one for each testicle. From the outside, the division isn’t always obvious, but you can usually see or feel a ridge running vertically down the center. This line is called the raphe, and it extends from the underside of the penis, down the scrotum, and toward the anus. It’s simply where tissue fused together during fetal development and is completely normal.
The skin of the scrotum is thinner than most skin on the body. Underneath it sits a layer of smooth muscle called the dartos, which is responsible for the scrotum’s signature wrinkled texture. When this muscle contracts, the skin bunches up into tight folds. When it relaxes, the skin smooths out and the sac hangs lower. This is why the scrotum can look dramatically different from one moment to the next.
Color and Skin Tone
Scrotal skin is almost always darker than the surrounding skin on the thighs or abdomen. This hyperpigmentation is normal and varies widely based on ethnicity, overall skin tone, and genetics. In lighter-skinned individuals, the scrotum may appear pinkish, reddish, or tan. In darker-skinned individuals, it can range from deep brown to nearly black. The midline raphe is often slightly darker than the rest of the scrotum. None of these color variations indicate a problem.
Texture, Wrinkles, and Hair
The most recognizable feature of the scrotum is its wrinkled surface. These folds form when the dartos muscle contracts, which happens most noticeably in cold temperatures. In warm conditions, or after a hot shower, the scrotum relaxes and the skin becomes much smoother and stretchier, hanging further from the body. Think of it as a built-in thermostat: the testicles need to stay slightly cooler than core body temperature to produce sperm, so the scrotum pulls them closer to the body when it’s cold and lets them drop away when it’s warm.
Hair growth on the scrotum is common but varies a lot between individuals. Some people have sparse, fine hairs while others have denser coverage. The hair is typically thinner and wispier than pubic hair on the mons pubis. Hair follicle density on scrotal skin is relatively low, so patchy or uneven growth is the norm rather than the exception.
Size and Symmetry
Each testicle inside the scrotum is roughly oval-shaped, smooth, and somewhat firm to the touch. About 80% of adult men have testicular volumes between 20 and 30 milliliters, roughly the size of a small plum. Before puberty, each testicle is closer to the size of a pea or small grape (under 3 ml).
One testicle almost always hangs lower than the other, and it’s usually the left one. This asymmetry is normal and results from differences in blood vessel structure and the length of the cord that suspends each testicle. The two testicles don’t need to be the same size either. A slight difference is typical. If you also feel a soft, tube-like structure along the top and back of each testicle, that’s the epididymis, the coiled tube where sperm mature before leaving the body.
How It Changes With Temperature and Age
The scrotum is one of the most visually dynamic parts of the body. Cold air, cold water, exercise, or even a strong emotional reaction like fear can trigger the cremaster muscle to pull the testicles up tight against the body. When this happens, the scrotum looks small, compact, and heavily wrinkled. In warm or relaxed conditions, the opposite occurs: the scrotum hangs low, the skin stretches smooth, and the testicles sit further from the body.
Over time, the scrotum naturally hangs lower. Like skin everywhere on the body, scrotal skin loses collagen and elasticity with age. This means the sac gradually becomes looser and more pendulous. This is a normal part of aging and not a sign of any medical issue.
Common Bumps and Spots
Many people notice small bumps on their scrotum and worry about them, but most are harmless. The two most common types are Fordyce spots and angiokeratomas.
Fordyce spots are tiny, painless bumps that appear white, yellowish, pale red, or skin-colored. They’re typically 1 to 3 millimeters across (about the size of a sesame seed or smaller) and become more visible if you stretch the skin. They may appear alone, in small clusters, or in groups of 50 or more. These are simply oil glands visible beneath thin skin. They are not sexually transmitted and are not contagious.
Angiokeratomas are small, firm bumps caused by enlarged blood vessels near the skin’s surface. They typically start out red and may darken to purple or black over time. They don’t lighten when you press on them. These are noncancerous, not contagious, and generally harmless, though some people seek treatment if they bleed or cause discomfort.
It’s worth knowing the difference between these harmless spots and something that needs attention. Genital warts, caused by HPV, can initially look similar to Fordyce spots but tend to appear suddenly and may grow or spread. Genital herpes blisters are painful and fluid-filled, which distinguishes them from the painless bumps described above. Any new, rapidly changing, or painful bump is worth getting checked.
What’s Worth Paying Attention To
Normal testicles feel smooth, oval, and somewhat firm. You should be able to roll each one gently between your fingers without feeling hard lumps, irregular bumps, or significant pain. Any new mass in the scrotum, persistent swelling on one side, a feeling of heaviness that wasn’t there before, or sudden pain warrants a closer look from a healthcare provider. Testicular cancer is relatively rare but is most common in younger men between 15 and 35, and the earliest sign is usually a painless lump on the testicle itself.
Fluid-filled cysts called spermatoceles can develop on the epididymis and feel like a small, smooth lump sitting above or behind the testicle. These are almost always noncancerous and painless. They only become noticeable if they grow large enough to create a sense of fullness or heaviness.