460 A MANUAL OF ANA TOMY. 



The covering derived from the transversalis fascia receives 

 the name of the internal spermatic or infundibuliform fascia ; 

 that from the internal oblique muscle, partially composed 

 of separate muscle loops and supporting connective tissue, 

 forms the cremaster muscle (and fascia} ; that from the ex- 

 ternal oblique constitutes the external spermatie fascia. By 

 the passage of the testicle into the scrotum the internal and 

 external portions of the gubernaculum become inverted, 

 while the middle remains as a band joining the gland to the 

 bottom of the scrotum. The inverted portions of the guber- 

 naculum help to form the cremasteric muscle in part. The 

 internal and external bands of the gubernaculum sometimes 

 draw the testicle to the region of their attachment ; this ex- 

 plains the abnormal position of this organ in front of the 

 pubes or in the region of the ischium or perineum. If the 

 natural process is arrested the testicle may never leave the 

 interior of the abdomen or it may be left in any part of its 

 course through the abdominal wall (at any point in the 

 inguinal canal). 



The places where the testicle enters and leaves the ab- 

 dominal wall are called rings, and its course between these 

 points the inguinal canal. 



As the testicle descends it takes with it a tubular process 

 of peritoneum called the funicular process. Naturally, this 

 tube becomes closed at the internal ring and close to the 

 testicle, and the intervening portion entirely obliterated. 

 The portion attached to the testicle forms its tunica vaginalis. 



If the process is arrested any of these conditions may 

 prevail : If the tube remains open above, fluid may pass into 

 it, forming a congenital hydrocele, or the intestine may be- 

 come prolapsed into the tube, giving rise to a congenital 

 hernia. If it becomes closed at its extremities but open 

 between, a hernia may still descend behind the funicular 



