to THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



they pass through a slit or small opening at the back part of 

 the muscles of the belly, where they are attached to the under 

 part of the hip bone. These slits or openings are known as 

 the inguinal rings. They can be felt in the horse by pressing 

 the fingers well up into the groins. The descent of the 

 testicle is an important point to be remembered. If the 

 testicle does not descend into the scrotum the horse is 

 known as a rig or ridgeling horse. In this case the testicle is 

 not found in the scrotum. At the front part of the testicle 

 there is a small ridge called the globus major, and at the 

 back of it is another small ridge called the globus minor. 

 Passing between these two ridges is another well marked 

 ridge called the epididymis. These can be easily seen by 

 examining the testicle after the animal is altered or castrated. 

 The substance of the testicle is made up of small glands and 

 fine tubes. These tubes, as they pass towards the back of 

 the testicle, form into larger tubes and finally unite to form 

 one called the vas deferens. 



3. Spermatic Cords. — Spermatic cords, or the cords of the 

 testicles, are attached above to the inguinal rings or openings 

 mentioned before. They are about five or six inches long and 

 have the testicles attached to them below. In each cord is found 

 a small muscle which goes by the name of the spermatic muscle, 

 the rest of the cord being made up of the spermatic artery, veins 

 and nerves. Running up at the back of these cords is found 

 a tube called the vas deferens. Around the spermatic cords 

 and testicles is a serous membrane, one layer being attached 

 to the testicle and cord, while the other is closely attached 

 around the inside of the scrotum or bag. In this membrane 

 are small glands which secrete an oily fluid to lubricate the 

 parts, preventing friction when they are jolted about in the 

 scrotum. This fluid flies out as soon as the scrotum is cut. 

 This is important, because sometimes from a slight injury 

 the glands will secrete a large amount of this fluid, thus 

 causing the scrotum to look large and swollen. This disease 

 is known as hydrocele or water in scrotum or bag. 



4. Vas Deferens. — These tubes are two in number and 

 are situated just behind the spermatic cords. They are about the 

 size of a straw and quite hard. They carry the semen up the 

 back part of the spermatic cord through the inguinal rings before 

 mentioned. They then pass backward and upward, one on 

 each side, to the upper part of the bladder, where they empty 



