152 DESCENT OF THE TESTIS. 



gubernaculum testis. This consists of a cord formed of several 

 strong fibres, which seem to belong to that peculiar tissue, 

 described vol. i. p. 298, as the contractile. It is lodged in 

 the inguinal canal, which is found already formed, and is 

 attached by one end, to the lower extremity of the testis and 

 epididymis and by the other to the cellular tissue of the scrotum, 

 with which it seems to be continuous. The peritoneum of the 

 lower part of the abdomen parses down upon and adheres to 

 this contractile cord so as to form a small pouch in the inguinal 

 canal, which is carried down before the testicle, and ultimately 

 forms the tunica vaginalis reflexa of the adult, while that 

 portion of the peritoneum that covered the testicle in the 

 abdomen, and is brought down with it, forms, according to Sir 

 A. Cooper, or rather remains the tunica vaginalis testis. 

 Soon after the descent of the organ, the serous cavity of the 

 tunica vaginalis, is usually closed by the process of adhesion, 

 so as to cut off all communication with the serous cavity of the 

 abdomen. The process of closing begins above at the internal 

 ring, and continues gradually down the track of the spermatic 

 cord. Occasionally, from some cause, as the sliding into it of 

 a portion of the intestine or omentum, the orifice of communi- 

 cation is not shut up. The infant is then liable to the forms of 

 bydrocele and hernia, which have been called congenital. In 

 all cases the testicle is not brought down by the gubernaculum. 

 It may be left near the place of its first development, or 

 partially depressed and lodged in some part of the inguinal canal. 

 In the latter case it is exposed to injury from the action of the 

 muscles, and to external violence, and is often found in the end 

 to become atrophied from pressure, or to degenerate into 

 malignant disease. 



The pressure of the descending intestine as in the formation 

 of congenital hernia, has in some cases carried the testicle down 

 to its proper location. 



In some instances the testis has been observed, without any 

 cause of this sort, but probably from some other connected with 

 the natural excitement of the epoch to complete its Descent 

 about the period of puberty. If the testis remains in the 



