THE ABDOMEN 675 



Female. — The portion of the plica gubernatrix or plica inguinalis (of which 

 pHca the embryonic inferior ovarian fold forms a part) between the caudal 

 end of the ovar\' and the fusion of the Mullerian duct with its fellow to form 

 the rudiment of the uterus, represents the hgament of the ovary; and the 

 part which extends from the Miillerian fusion through the inguinal canal to 

 the labium majus contains the round ligament of the uterus, which is the 

 homologue of part of the gubemaculum testis. In other words, the entire 

 plica gubernatrix in the male contains the gubemaculum testis; whereas in 

 the female it pertains to (i) the ligament of the ovan,-, and (2) the round 

 ligament of the uterus. The embrjonic superior ovarian fold represents the 

 ovario-pelvic ligament. The urogenital mesentery of either side, which is 

 formed by the mesovarium. Wolffian mesenterj-, and urogenital fold (within 

 which latter the Mullerian duct Ues along with the Wolffian duct) becomes 

 the corresponding broad ligament of the uterus. 



Metamorphosis of the Processus Vaginalis. — As stated, the processus 

 vaginalis is originally a tubular process or diverticulum of the parietal peri- 

 toneum of the inguinal region, resembling the linger of a glove, which pre- 

 cedes the descent of the testis, and behind which the testis descends, following 

 the lead of the middle bundle of the g^abemaculum testis. After the testis 

 has reached the scrotal chamber, it invaginates the processus vaginalis from 

 behind, to form the tunica vaginalis, and that process now undergoes certain 

 changes. To understand these changes familiarity with the following facts 

 is necessary- : (i) The processus vaginalis is closed below and open above; 

 (2) the lumen of the process is simply a diverticulum of the cavity of the 

 peritoneum; (3) the part of the process related to the testis is called the 

 testicular potion ; and (4) the part in front of the spermatic cord is referred 

 to as the funicular portion. 



The changes are as follows: (i) About the period of birth the processus 

 vaginalis usually becomes constricted and closed superiorly at the internal 

 abdominal ring, and then the process is an elongated tube, closed at each 

 end, its lumen being now shut off from the cavity of the peritoneum. (2) A 

 few days after birth the process usually becomes constricted and closed a 

 little above the testis. (3) The- funicular portion of the process usually 

 becomes impervious and converted into a fibrous thread, which as a rule 

 disappears in the course of the first month after birth. (4) The testicular 

 portion of the process persists as a shut serous sac, called the tunica vaginalis. 

 Normally the persistent remains of the embryonic processus vaginalis in the 

 adult are (i) the testicular portion, which forms the tunica vaginalis, and 

 (2) a small nodule on the parietal peritoneum immediately behind the internal 

 abdominal ring. Instead of a mere nodule, however, a slender fibrous thread, 

 called the ligamentuni vaginale, may extend downwards from this part of the 

 parietal peritoneum in front of the spermatic cord as low as the external 

 abdominal ring, and sometimes as low as the tunica vaginalis. 



In the female the processus vaginalis is represented by a tubular process 

 of the peritoneum which hes in front of the round hgament of the uterus for 

 a short distance in the inguinal canal. When this process remains open 

 superiorly, it is known as the canal of Xuck. 



Abnormal Conditions of the Processus Vaginalis — Congenital Type. — (i ) The 

 processus vaginalis may remain permanently open throughout, under which 

 circumstances the cavity of the tvmica vaginahs is in direct communication 

 with the general peritoneal cavity. (2) The processus vaginalis may be 

 closed just above the tunica vaginahs, but it may remain as a permanently 

 open tube above this point. 



Infantile or Funicular Type. — (i) The processus vaginahs may be closed 

 only at its upper end near the internal abdominal ring. In these cases the 

 tunica vaginalis, instead of being limited to the region of the testis, is pro- 

 longed upwards as an elongated tube in front of the spermatic cord into the 

 inguinal canal. (2) The processus vaginalis may be closed above, near the 

 internal abdominal ring, and also below, just above the tunica vaginalis, the 

 portion of it inter\-ening between these two points remaining as an elongated 

 tube, closed at either end, and lying in front of the spermatic cord. 



