716 REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF THE MALE. 



cated or may contain the epididymides. The penis is small, and the individuals are 

 small and poorly developed. 



The testes may be' imperfectly developed. The individuals are effeminate. Ab- 

 sence of one testicle, with healthy development of the other, is more frequent. The 

 corresponding epididymis and cord may be absent or present. 



The spermatic cords and vesiculae seminales may be absent or imperfectly devel- 

 oped on one or both sides, while the testes are normal. 



CRYPTORCHISMUS. Either one or both testicles may remain permanently in their 

 foetal position, or may not descend into the scrotum for several years after birth (cryptor- 

 chismus), or not at all. This condition may be due to an arrest of development in the 

 testes or the gubernaculum testis; adhesions produced by antenatal peritonitis; nar- 

 rowing of the inguinal canal; narrowing or shortening of the vaginal process of the 

 peritoneum ; or to abnormal size or position of the testicle. Usually the malformation 

 is confined to one testicle, and then is more frequent on the left side. The testicle is 

 usually found in the abdomen close to the mouth of the inguinal canal, or in the ingui- 

 nal canal just below the external ring; but it may be beneath the skin in the perineum, 

 or in the crural canal with the femoral vessels, or elsewhere. The retained testis is 

 usually not fully developed, or undergoes fatty degeneration or fibrous hyperplasia. 

 The retention of one or even of both testicles does not preclude the possibility of pro- 

 creation. Retained testicles are prone to in- 

 flammatory changes and liable to become the 

 seat of malignant tumors. 



Sometimes, while the testis is retained, the 

 epididymis and spermatic cord descend into 

 the scrotum. In rare cases the position of the 

 testis may be changed so that the epididymis 

 and cord are in front. The existence of a su- 

 pernumerary testis has been asserted. 



Varicocele. 



In varicocele the veins of the spermatic 

 cord are dilated, often forming tortuous masses 

 of considerable size (Fig. 471). 



Hydrocele. 



In hydrocele of the tunica vaginalin there 

 is an accumulation of fluid in the cavity of the 

 sac. It is usually unilateral and is usually 

 associated with acute or chronic inflammation 

 of the tunica vaginalis, varicocele, or general 

 dropsy. The serum is present in small or in 

 large quantity ; it is usually transparent, may 

 contain cholesterin, or be purulent or mixed 

 with blood. The tunica vaginalis remains 

 unchanged, or is thickened, or contains plates 

 of bone, or is covered with polypoid fibrous 

 bodies which may fall off and be found free in 

 the cavity of the sac. There may be adhesions 

 between the layers of the tunica vaginalis, and 

 in this way the fluid becomes sacculated. The 

 testis is pushed downward and backward ; it 

 FIG. i~l.-VARicocKLE. remains unchanged or is atrophied. 



The distended and tortuous vessels have been IQ ^''ocele of the processus mffinalis there 



filled with wax. is an accumulation of serum in the cavity of 



