128 



PHYSIOLOGY 



CHAP. 



coni vasculosi, 8-10 mm. in length, in wliich are compressed in 

 a small space tortuous canals about 20 cm. long, and with 

 ampullary dilatations along their course. The union of the canals 

 of the coni vasculosi forms the single, tortuous, collecting canal of 

 the epididymis which is continuous with the vas deferens. The 

 wall of the efferent ducts and of the tubules of the coni vasculosi 

 consists of a membrana propria lined by ciliated epithelium ; the 

 movement of the cilia is in the direction of the canal of the 



epididymis, thus favouring 

 the progression of the 

 spermatozoa, which are still 

 incapable of active move- 

 ment. In the canal of 

 the epididymis there is, in 

 addition to the epithelium, 

 a layer of smooth muscle and 

 a tunica adventitia, which 

 is continuous with the inter- 

 stitial connective tissue. 

 The epithelium becomes 

 much longer and presents 

 a border of hair-like pro- 

 cesses (Fig. 23). At ,the 

 base of the cylindrical cells 

 is a layer of small spheroidal 

 cells, destined to take the 

 place of the cylindrical cells, 

 which become detached 

 through age, and possessing, 

 it may be, a secretory 

 function as is the case in 



Fie. 22. Testicle, epididymis and vas deferens injected, the Cylindrical Cells. The 



(Kolliker from Arnold.) J. a, body of testicle ; 6, plahnrafpH aporpHnn flnw^ 



lobules ; c, straight tubules ; p, rete testis ; e, small eiaDOraLCQ 



efferent ducts ;/ lobules of epididymis or coni into the interior of the 

 vasculosi ; g, epididymis ; fc, vas deferens; i, vas ,.- , _ 



aberrans inferior; m, branches of the internal Caiial, dilutes the maSS OI 



sprimatic. artery which go to the testicle and epi- j-i ji 



didymis ; n, ramifications in the testicle ; , artery the SpennatOZOa, SCrVCS them 



for nutrition, and matura- 



tion, and renders them 

 capable of active movement. The epididymis is also invested 

 with a tunica albuginea, similar to that of the testicle and 

 containing smooth muscle fibres. 



At the inferior pole of the testicle the canal of the epididymis 

 assumes the name of vas deferens, which is about 45 cm. long. 

 In it are to ba distinguished the convoluted testicular portion, 

 the funicular contained in the spermatic cord within the scrotum, 

 the inguinal which passes through the inguinal canal, and, lastly, 

 the pelvic or descending portion found in the pelvis, and opening 



