210 STUDENTS HISTOLOGY 



Highmori. Between the septa are delicate tubular masses the 

 lobules. 



The tunica albuginea is the supporting framework of the testicle. 

 Its inner layers convey the blood-vessels, and constitute the tunica 

 vasculosa. 



The mediastinum receives the blood-vessels and contains also 

 the rete testis, Rt, the termination of the secreting tubules. 



Two or more seminiferous tubules are contained in each lobule. 

 They are fine thread-like tubes closely packed together the convo- 

 luted portion. As these tubules approach the mediastinum they 



PIG. 133. TRANSVERSE SECTION OF THREE SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES OF THE CAT. 



(SCHAFER.) 



A. Containing spermatozoa least advanced in development. 



B. More advanced. 



C. Containing fully developed spermatozoa. 



join to form a smaller number of straight tubes, or tubuli recti. 

 The straight tubules enter the mediastinum, making a plexus of 

 tubular spaces, the rete testis, and leave the rete testis at its upper 

 end as fifteen to twenty delicate ducts, the vasa efferentia, Fig. 132. 



The vasa efferentia, entering the globus major, become coiled 

 into small conical masses, the coni vasculosi, and open into a single 

 convoluted tube, the canal of the epididymis. This canal is remark- 

 ably tortuous; it passes down the back of the body of the testicle 

 into the globus minor, and finally terminates in the vas deferens. 



(For the character of the lining epithelial cells of the different 

 parts, see page 55. 



