722 REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF THE MALE. 



rapid growth, and usually primary. It may commence in the testis or 

 epididyinis. Usually only one testicle is involved. Frequently the en- 

 tire glandular portion of the organs is replaced by the new growth. The 

 albuginea expands with the growth of the tumor, and may continue to 

 enclose it even when of large size. The tissues are often very vascular, 

 and hemorrhages, areas of softening, fatty and mucous degeneration are 

 frequent. The inguinal and lumbar lymph-nodes are apt to become in- 

 volved, and distant metastasis may occur. Barely the growth assumes a 

 scirrhous form. 



Cysts. Aside from the above-mentioned cysts which occur in connec- 

 tion with tumors and spermatocele, cysts may be formed from persistent 

 remnants of Miiller's canal in the epididymis, or from obstruction of the 

 seminiferous tubules or ducts by inflammatory products or tissue. 



Teratoid tumors of various kinds, with or without cysts, are of infre- 

 quent occurrence, and are sometimes quite complex in character (Fig. 

 475). They may be embedded in the substance of the gland. 1 Prob- 

 ably some of the above-mentioned cystic rhabdomyomata belong here. 



PARASITES. 



Echinococcus may occur in the testis or epididymis. 



The Seminal Vesicles. 



The seminal vesicles may be the seat of acute or chronic inflammation, 

 which is most frequently associated with inflammatory changes in ad- 

 jacent parts, prostate, urethra, etc. As a result of chronic inflammation 

 the vesicles may be atrophied, or they may be greatly dilated, forming 

 cysts due to constriction of the ducts. Tuberculous inflammation is usu- 

 ally secondary. 



TUMORS. 



Carcinoma of the rectum or other genito-urinary organs may secon- 

 darily involve the seminal vesicles. Small concretions, sometimes con- 

 taining masses of spermatozoa, are occasionally found in the seminal 

 vesicles. 



The Prostate. 



DEGENERATION, ATROPHY, AND HYPERTROPHY. 



Fatty and hyaline degeneration of the muscle may occur in the prostate 

 with or without hypertrophy. Atrophy of the prostate may follow lesions 

 or removal of the testicle, inflammation of the prostate itself, and may 

 occur as a senile process. Dilatation of the ducts.may accompany the 

 atrophic process. 



Hypertrophy. Enlargement of the prostate so-called hypertrophy 

 is of frequent occurrence in advanced years. It may involve the entire 



'Consult for teratoid tumors of the testicle Wilms, Ziegler's Beitr. z. path. Anat., 

 Bd. xix., p. 233, 1896. 



