DEVELOPMENT OF MALE GENITAL ORGANS. 



265 



tinuations into the substance of the organ are the straight tubules (tubuli 

 recti). Both the convoluted and straight tubules (Fig. 301) arise from the 

 cords of cells in the outer part of the genital ridge. The cords in the 

 interior of the ridge are similar and have recently been described as the 

 posterior extensions of the rudimentary peripheral cords formed in the 

 anterior end of the genital ridge. These inner cords produce a net of 

 anastomosing tubes, the rete testis, into which the straight tubules empty. 

 The tubes of the rete acquire openings into the glomerular capsules of 



urethra 



appendix cpididyinidis 

 appendix tcstis 



convoluted tubule 



straight tubi/L 



seminal reside 



prostatic gland, 

 duetns dcferens 



paradidyinis 



due tul us efferent 



ductiilits abcrrans 

 iuctus cpididyinidis 



FIG. 301. DIAGRAM OF THE MALE SEXUAL ORGANS. (Modified from Eberth, after Waldeyer.) 

 (The coursejof the Mullerian duct is indicated by dashes.) 



the Wolffian body (Fig. 300). The glomeruli atrophy and disappear. 

 The products of the convoluted tubules thus pass in turn through the 

 straight tubules and rete testis into the Wolffian tubules. 



Of the Wolffian tubules about fifteen persist as the ductuli efferentes. 

 Each of these is a greatly convoluted tube which if straightened measures 

 8 inches (20 cms.). When coiled it forms a conical mass or lobule of the 

 epididymis, with its apex toward the rete, and its base toward the Wolffian 

 duct which it enters (Fig. 301). The Wolffian duct which passes along 

 the dorsal surface of the testis, is also greatly convoluted so that it 



