EXTEENAL GENITAL OEGANS 17 



Behind, between the thighs, the abdomen presents two oval openings 

 {external abdominal rings) through which the testicles descend into the 

 scrotum, and remain suspended liy means of the spermatic cords. In 

 the fcetus a tliird opening (umbilicus) is observed in advance of the 

 sheath. This is commonly termed the navel opening, and gives passage 

 to blood-vessels by which the foetus is brought into relation with the 

 dam through the medium of the foetal membranes. After birth the 

 navel-string sloughs away and the umbilical opening closes. 



The Flank. — The Hank is a jjortion of the wall of the abdomen 

 extending from the lumbar spine downward, between the last rib in 

 front, and the haunch, thigh, and stifle-joint beliind. Below, it is con- 

 tinuous with the floor of the belly. Above, the flank presents a tri- 

 angular depression immediately Ijeneath the loins. This is commonly 

 termed the " hollow of the flank ". 



In sickness the flank frequently serves as a guide to the existence 

 of disease. In certain conditions of ill -health it becomes "tucked up" 

 or distended, while in others it affords an indication of the rate of 

 breathing l»y its alternate rising and falling. 



The Groin. — The groin is the space situated right and left of the 

 testicles in the male and of the mammary gland in the female. Outwardly 

 it is bounded by the inner and upper part of the thigh. The skin cover- 

 ing this part is comparatively thin and sujjple, and covered with fine 

 hairs. It is also abundantly furnished with small glands that throw out 

 an unctuous secretion for the lubrication of the parts. Enlargements some- 

 times appear in this region from swelling of the lymphatic glands, or as a 

 consequence of rupture, and in geldings as the result of disease of the 

 .spermatic cord — schirrus cord. 



6. EXTERNAL GENITAL ORGANS 



MALE 



The Testicles (fig. l). — The testicles are two ovoid glands situated 

 in the space between the thighs. They are enclosed in a pouch of skin, 

 the scrotum, commonly spoken of as the " purse", and separated from 

 each other by a membranous partition. They appear in the j^urse at 

 birth, but soon disappear, to descend again about the tenth month. 

 The left one is generally somewhat lower than the right. In some 

 instances the testicles fail from various causes to reach the scrotum, or 

 only one of them may "come down", in which case they are found 

 either in the cavity of the belly or in the inguinal canal. When this 

 is the case the animal is called a crypt orchid, or more commonly a 



Vol. I. 2 



