CHAPTER XVI. 



THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS. 



THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF THE MALE. 



THE male reproductive organs comprise the Testis, the Ductus Deferens 

 the Vesicula Seminalis, the Prostate, and the Penis. 



The Testis. The testis consists of two parts, i, the testicle proper, 

 which is covered by the tunica albuginea and secretes the germinal cells, 

 and 2, the conducting tubules, which compose the epididymis and ductus 

 deferens. 



The testicle is divided by connective-tissue septa into lobules, each of 

 which is an aggregation of tubuli seminiferi. Each tubule is limited by a 

 membrana propria on which rests the germinal epithelium. 





FIG. 486. 



FIG. 487. 



FIG. 486. Plan of a Vertical Section of the Testicle, Showing the Arrangement of the 

 Ducts. The true length and diameter of the ducts have been disregarded, a, a, Tubuli 

 seminiferi coiled up in the separate lobes; 6, tubuli recti; c, rete testis; d, ductuli efferentes 

 ending in the coni vasculosi; /, e, g, convoluted canal of the epididymis; h, vas deferens;/, 

 section of the back part of the tunica albuginea; i, i, fibrous processes running between the 

 lobes; s, mediastinum. 



FIG. 487. Vertical Section through the Wall of the Tubules of Epididymis. X 700. 

 (Kolliker.) b, Connective tissue and smooth muscle cells; e, basal layer of epithelial cells; 

 /, high columnar cells; p, pigment granules in columnar cells; c, cuticula; h, cilia. 



The male reproductive cells are all descended from primitive germ cells, 

 the archispermiocytes, that become differentiated during the fetal life. 



On the approach of sexual maturity the process of spermatogenesis begins. 

 The germinal cells multiply rapidly, and, by a complex series of mitotic 



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