SPERMATIC CORD TESTES. 805 



master muscle], derived from the lower border of the Internal Oblique muscle, 

 during the descent of the testis (p. 826). 



The fascia propria is a thin membranous layer, which loosely invests the 

 surface of the cord. It is a continuation downwards of the infundibuliform 

 process of the fascia trans versalis, and is also derived during the descent of the 

 testis in the foetus. 



The tunica vaginalis is described with the proper coverings of the testis. A 

 more detailed account of the other coverings of the testis will be found in the 

 description of the surgical anatomy of inguinal hernia. 



Vessels and Nerves. The arteries supplying the coverings of the testis are : 

 the superficial and deep external pudic, from the femoral ; the superficial peri- 

 neal branch of the internal pudic ; and the cremasteric branch from the epigas- 

 tric. The veins follow the course of the corresponding arteries. The lymphatics 

 terminate in the inguinal glands. The nerves are : the ilio-inguinal and ilio- 

 hypogastric branches of the lumbar plexus, the two superficial perineal branches 

 of the internal pudic nerve, the inferior pudendal branch of the small sciatic 

 nerve, and the genital branch of the genito-crural nerve. 



The Spermatic Cord extends from the internal abdominal ring, where the 

 structures of which it is composed converge, to the back part of the testicle. 

 It is composed of arteries, veins, lymphatics, nerves, and the excretory duct, 

 of the testicle. These structures are connected together by areolar tissue, and 

 invested by the fasciae brought down by the testicle in its descent. In the 

 abdominal wall the cord passes obliquely along the inguinal canal, lying at first 

 beneath the Internal Oblique, and upon the fascia transversalis ; but nearer the 

 pubes, it rests upon Poupart's ligament, having the aponeurosis of the External 

 Oblique in front of it, and the conjoined tendon behind it. It then escapes at 

 the external ring, and descends nearly vertically into the scrotum. The left 

 cord is rather longer than the right, consequently the left testis hangs some- 

 what lower than its fellow. 



The arteries of the cord are the spermatic, from the aorta ; the artery of the 

 vas deferens, from the superior vesical ; and the cremasteric, from the epigastric 

 artery. 



The spermatic artery supplies the testicle. On approaching the gland, it 

 gives off some branches which supply the epididymis, and others which per- 

 forate the tunica albuginea behind, and spread out on its inner surface, or pass 

 through the fibrous septum in its interior, to be distributed on the membranous 

 septa between the lobes. 



The artery of the vas deferens is a long slender vessel, which accompanies 

 the vas deferens, ramifying upon the coats of that duct, and anastomosing with 

 the spermatic artery near the testis. 



The cremasteric branch from the epigastric supplies the Cremaster muscle, 

 and other coverings of the cord. 



The spermatic veins leave the back part of the testis, and receiving branches 

 from the epididymis, unite to form a plexus (pampiniform plexus), which forms 

 the chief mass of the cord. They pass up in front of the vas deferens, and unite 

 to form a single trunk, which terminates, on the right side, in the inferior vena 

 cava, on the left side, in the left renal vein. 



The lymphatics are of large size, accompany the bloodvessels, and terminate 

 in the lumbar glands. 



The nerves are the spermatic plexus from the sympathetic. This plexus is 

 derived from the renal and aortic plexuses, joined by filaments from the hypo- 

 gastric plexus, which accompany the artery of the vas deferens. 



Each testis is of an oval form, compressed laterally and behind, and having 

 an oblique position in the scrotum ; the upper extremity being directed forwards 

 and a little outwards; the lov/er, backwards and a little inwards; the anterior 



