292 SPERMATIC ARTERIES. LUMBAR ARTERIES. 



They pass downwards, so as to form an acute angle with 

 the aorta, and proceed behind the peritoneum, and before the 

 psoas muscle and ureter. While this artery is in contact 

 with the psoas muscle, it meets with the ramifications of the 

 spermatic vein, and, in its progress to the abdominal ring, also 

 joins the spermatic cord. In this course it sends off some very 

 small twigs to the contiguous parts, and others that anastomose 

 with similar ramifications from the mesenteric, epigastric, &c. 

 Before it arrives at the testicle, it divides into several branches, 

 two of which generally go to the epididymis, and the others 

 penetrate the upper and back part of the tunica albuginea. 



The Spermatic Arteries in the Female, 



Instead of passing to the abdominal ring, proceed between 

 the lamina of the broad ligaments, and send branches to the 

 ovaria, which, in some cases, may be traced to the Graafian 

 vesicles. They also send branches to the Fallopian tubes and 

 uterus, and to the round ligaments. Those which are on the 

 opposite sides of the uterus, anastomose with each other, and 

 with the branches of the hypogastric arteries. 



The lumbar regions are supplied with arteries which origi- 

 nate like the intercostals, from the posterior part of the aorta 

 between the thorax and pelvis. There are four or five of these 

 vessels on each side, and they are denominated 



The Lumbar Arteries. 



They pass between the spine and the psoas muscle, and send 

 branches to the spinal cavity, to the muscles of the lumbar 

 regions, and the abdominal muscles. They anastomose with the 

 intercostals, the internal mammary, the epigastric, the circum- 

 flex of the ilium, and the ilio-lumbar. They are analogous to 

 the intercostal arteries in regard to their mode of origin, direc- 

 tion, and size, and like them are intended for the supply of the 

 lateral parts of the trunk. 



A small artery, about the size of a crow quill, passes off 

 singly from the posterior part of the aorta at its bifurcation, 

 which is called 



