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Why are the testes located in the scrotum outside the abdominal cavity?

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Front view anatomical diagrams of the male and female reproductive systems, with labeled organs including penis, testis, prostate gland, uterus, ovary, and vagina. — human reproductive system Organs and structures of the male and female reproductive systems.

The testes are located in the scrotum outside the abdominal cavity primarily to maintain a temperature several degrees cooler than the rest of the body.1

This lower temperature is essential for spermatogenesis, the process of producing viable sperm. The internal temperature of the abdominal cavity is generally too high to support this process effectively. The scrotum regulates the temperature of the testes by contracting in response to cold to conserve heat and relaxing in warmer conditions to facilitate cooling through air circulation. Failure to maintain this cooler environment can lead to temporary sterility.12