626 TESTES. 



urine has been passed through the umbilicus. Calculous concretions 

 have also been found in its course. 



The Uterus^ in the early periods of embryonic existence, appears 

 bifid, from the large size of the Fallopian tubes, and the small de- 

 velopment of the body of the organ. At the end of the fourth month 

 the body assumes a larger bulk, and the bifid appearance is lost. The 

 cervix uteri in the foetus is larger than the body of the organ. 



The Ovaries are situated, like the testicles, in the lumbar region, 

 near the kidneys, and descend from thence gradually into the pelvis. 



The Testicles in the embryo are situated in the lumbar regions, im- 

 mediately in front of and somewhat below the kidnej's. They have 

 connected with them inferiorly a peculiar structure which assists in 

 their descent, and is called the gubernaculum testis. 



The Gulternaculum is a soft and conical cord composed of areolar 

 tissue containing in its areolae a gelatiniform fluid. In the abdomen 

 it lies in front of the psoas muscle, and passes along the spermatic 

 canal, which it serves to distend for the passage of the testis. It is 

 attached by its superior and larger extremity to the lower end of the 

 testis and epididymis, and by the inferior extremity to the bottom of 

 the scrotum. The gubernaculum is surrounded by a thin layer of 

 muscular fibres, the cremaster, which pass upwards upon this body to 

 be attached to the testis. Inferiorly the muscular fibres divide into 

 three processes, which, according to Mr. Curling,* are thus attached : 

 " The external and broadest is connected to Poupart's ligament in the 

 inguinal canal ; the middle forms a lengthened band, which escapes 

 at the external abdominal ring, and descends to. the bottom of the 

 scrotum, where it joins the dartos ; the internal passes in the direction 

 inwards, and has a firm attachment to the os pubis and sheath of the 

 rectus muscle. Besides these a number of muscular fibres are reflected 

 from the internal oblique on the front of the gubernaculum." 



The Descent of the testicle is gradual and progressive. Between the 

 fifth and sixth months it has reached the lower part of the psoas 

 muscle, and during the seventh it makes its way through the sper- 

 matic canal, and descends into the scrotum. 



While situated in the lumbar region, the testis and gubernaculum 

 are placed behind the peritoneum, by which they are invested upon 

 their anterior surface and sides. As they descend, the investing peri- 

 toneum is carried downwards with the testis into the scrotum, forming 

 a lengthened pouch, which by its upper extremity opens into the cavity 

 of the peritoneum. The upper part of this pouch being compressed by 

 the spermatic canal is gradually obliterated, the obliteration extending 



* See an excellent paper " On the Structure of the Gubernaculum," &c. by 

 Mr. Curling, Lecturer on Morbid Anatomy in the London Hospital, in the 

 Lancet, vol. ii. 1840-41, p. 70. 



