122 



THE PERINEUM. 



SPERMATIC CORD. 



Each spermatic cord consists of an artery and vein, and nerves, 

 together with the duct, vas deferens. These constituents are united 

 by cellular tissue, which may be the remains of that canal of peri- 

 toneum peculiar to foetal life. 



It is covered by the fascia transversalis prolonged from the abdo- 

 men, and also the cremaster muscle, which has been previously de- 

 scribed. 



The spermatic artery comes from the aorta, and sometimes from 

 the renal. It is tortuous, and after passing through the rings divides 

 into two or three branches ; the termination of the artery is larger 

 than its origin. 



The spermatic veins are very tortuous and numerous, and on 

 account of their vine-like appearance are termed vasa pam^pini- 

 formia. The seat of circocele. 



The external spermatic nerves^ and also branches of the abdomino- 

 crural, supply the muscular structure ; filaments of the sympathetic 

 run also to the testicle. 



The vas deferens is a continuation of the epididymis. Passing 

 through the cord and rings, it descends behind the bladder and 

 joins the duct of the vesiculse seminales. It is very hard, and 

 readily recognised by touch ; its walls are extremely thick, and its 

 bore almost capillary. It is nearly white, and thicker than a knitting 

 needle. 



THE PERINEUM. 



The perineum is that space included between the anus, arch of 



the pubis, and the tu- 

 Fig. 104. berosities of the ischia, 



and a correct know- 

 ledge of it is of great 

 importance to a sur- 

 geon. 



In a proper dissec- 

 tion the removal of the 

 skin reveals the super- 

 ficial fascia^ which is 

 continuous with the 

 superficial fascia of 

 other parts of the body. 

 When this is removed, 

 the perineal fascia is 

 exhibited, which is a 

 dense, thin, and tough fascia,*^ adhering to the rami of the pubes 

 and ischium on each side ; in front it is continuous with the dartos^^ 



