452 



THE TESTICLES AND THEIR DUCTS. 



I 



the vasa deferentia thus interposed, they occupy the two diverging sides 

 of the triangular portion of the base of the bladder, which lies upon the 

 rectum, and is bounded behind by the line of reflexion of the recto- 

 vesical fold of the peritoneum. The seminal vesicles themselves also 

 rest upon the rectum, but are separated from it by a layer .of the recto- 

 vesical fascia, which atta'ches them to the base of the bladder. 



Fig. 322. Fig. 322. — Dissection of the 



Base of the Bladder and 

 Prostate Gland, showing the 

 Vesiculj. Seminales and Vasa 

 Deferentia (from Haller). 



a', lower surface of the bladder 

 at the place of reflection of the 

 peritoneum ; i, the part above 

 covered by the peritoneiim ; i, 

 left vas deferens, ending in e, 

 the ejacnlatory duct ; s, left 

 vesicula seminalis joining the 

 same duct ; s, s, the right vas 

 defei'ens and right vesicula semi- 

 nalis, which has been unravelled ; 

 p, under side of the iirostate 

 gland ; m, j^art of the urethra ; 

 u, u, the ureters, the right one 

 turned aside. 



The sacculated appear- 

 ance of the vesiculre semi- 

 nales is owing to their 

 peculiar formation. Each 

 consists of a tube some- 

 what coiled and repeatedly 

 doubled on itself, and firmly held in that condition by a dense fibrous 

 tissue. When unrolled, this tube is found to be from four to six inches 

 long, and about the width of a quill. Its posterior extremity is closed, 

 so that it forms a long cul-de-sac ; but there are generally, if not 

 always, several longer or shorter branches or diverticula connected with 

 it, wliich also end by closed extremities. The anterior extremity of 

 the tube of the vesicula, becomes straight and narrowed, and ends 

 opposite the base of the prostate by uniting on its inner side, at an 

 acute angle, with the narrow termination of the corresponding vas 

 deferens to form a single canal, which is the common seminal or ejacnla- 

 tory duct. 



In structure, the vesiculre seminales resemble very closely the adjoin- 

 ing sacculated portions of the vasa deferentia. Besides an external 

 fibro-areolar investment, connected with the recto-vesical fascia, they 

 have a proper coat, which is firm, dense, and somewhat elastic, and con- 

 sists of rigid white fibres and of others of a deep yellowish-brown hue. 

 The muscular layer of the walls is thin compared to that of the vas 

 deferens ; but a considerable amount of plain muscular tissue is found 

 covering the posterior surface and extending transversely between the 

 two vesicula?. There are also longitudinal muscular fibres traced from 

 those of the bladder. (Ellis and Henle.) The mucous membrane is 

 pale, or has a light yellowish-brown colour, given to it apparently by 

 tlie tubular glands which beset it in the same manner as in the ampulla 



