718 



REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF THE MALE. 



albuginea. When the testis is involved the organ is congested and in- 

 filtrated with serum or pus. From this condition it may return to the 

 normal state ; or small abscesses may form which may be absorbed, or 

 increase in size so as to involve nearly the entire organ. They may 

 perforate externally, and then healing may occur by means of granula- 

 tion tissue; or extensive gangrenous destruction of the scrotum may 

 occur. Abscesses may become enclosed in a fibrous capsule, when the 

 contents may dry and become caseous or calcified, and so persist for a 

 long time. The acute inflammation may become chronic. 



Acute epidldymitis is frequently the result of gonorrhceal infection, 

 and may or may not be associated with inflammation of the testis. The 

 products of inflammation may collect in varying quantity in the lumina 

 of the seminiferous tubules and in the ducts of the epididymis, and the 

 epithelium of these structures may degenerate. 



Chronic Or chit is occurs as a sequel of acute inflammation or as an in- 

 dependent process. It may involve the testis, the epididymis, or the 

 spermatic cord.. The seminiferous tubules may be filled with desqua- 

 mated and degenerated epithelium ; they may be atrophied, or their walls 



FIG. 472. CHRONIC INTERSTITIAL ORCHITIS WITH ATROPHY OF THE SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES. 



o, Thickened interstitial tissue ; c, thickened membrana propria of the tubules ; d, separated epithelial cell 

 mass in the lumen of the tubules. 



may be greatly thickened so that they are converted into dense fibrous 

 cords, with partial or complete obliteration of their lumina. There is 

 usually a marked increase in the interstitial tissue, which causes atrophy 

 of the tubules (Fig. 472). The albuginea maybe greatly thickened. In 

 some cases the testis is converted into a mass of dense fibrous tissue, in 

 which but little trace of the original structure can be made out. The 

 new-formed fibrous tissue may become calcified. A periorchitis may 

 lead to thickening and union of the layers of the tunica vaginalis testis. 

 Abscesses are not infrequent in connection with chronic orchitis. 



