1290 



THE UKO-GENITAL SYSTEM. 



within the scrotum towards the lower part of the anterior abdominal wall, which it 

 reaches not far from the median plane. During this part of its course the duct, 

 together with the vessels and nerves of the testis, is surrounded by a number of 

 loose coverings derived from certain layers of the abdominal wall, and the cord-like 

 structure so formed is termed the funiculus spermaticus or spermatic cord. The 

 ductus deferens, together with the accompanying vessels and nerves, now passes 

 through the abdominal wall in an oblique passage, to which the name canalis 

 inguinalis is applied. Within the abdomen the duct lies immediately beneath the 

 peritoneum, and soon crossing over the pelvic brim, it enters the pelvis minor, on 

 the side wall of which it proceeds backwards towards the base of the bladder. Here, 

 near the median plane, the ductus deferens is joined by the duct of the correspond- 



Median umbilical ligament (urachtis) 

 Plica vesicalis transversa 



Urinary bladdei 



Trigonum femorale 

 External 

 iliac vessels 



'aravesical peritoneal fossa 



rr--.L Obliterated umbilical artery 



Inferior 

 **- epigastric artery 



Internal spermatic artery 



Ductus deferens 



Recto-vesical pouch 

 Intervertebral fibro-cartilage 



Ureter 



i External iliac artery 

 Hypogastric artery 



Rectum feacro-genital fold 



FIG. 1008. VIEW OF THE MALE PELVIS SEEN FROM ABOVE AND BEHIND. The course 

 of the ductus deferens is well seen. 



ing vesicula seminalis, and the ejaculatory duct, thus formed, having tra versed 'th 

 prostate, opens into the urethra. 



At first the ductus deferens, like the canal from which it takes its origin, is verj 

 tortuous, but soon increasing in thickness, the duct becomes less twisted, and passe 

 upwards along the medial side of the epididymis, behind the testis, to enter the 

 spermatic funiculus (Fig. 1007). Its course is now almost vertically upward 

 towards the pubic tubercle, near which, crossing the medial part of the inguina 

 ligament [Pouparti], the duct enters the inguinal canal by the subcutaneous inguina 

 ring (Fig. 1017). Of the structures composing the funiculus spermaticus the due 

 is the most posterior, and it can be readily distinguished, even in the undissectec 

 subject, by its hard firm feel, when it is taken between the finger and thumb. Ir 

 the inguinal canal the ductus deferens is directed laterally, upwards, and a little 

 backwards to the abdominal inguinal ring, where, at a point half an inch abov< 

 the inguinal ligament, and midway between the symphysis pubis and the anterio: 



