MALE ORGANS OF GENERATION 779 



Vas Deferens. The excretory duct of the testicle extends from the 

 epididymis to the prostatic portion of the urethra and is a continuation of 

 the single tube that forms the body and globus minor of the epididymis. 

 It is somewhat tortuous near its origin, and it becomes larger at the 

 base of the bladder, just before it is joined by the duct of the seminal 

 vesicle. Near its point of junction with this duct it becomes narrower. 

 Its entire length is nearly two feet (about 6 decimeters). 



The course of the vas deferens is in the spermatic cord to the exter- 

 nal abdominal ring, and through the inguinal canal to the internal ring, 



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Fig. 211. Section of the testicle of a full-grown rabbit Interstitial gland (Bouin and Ancel). 



This figure shows the seminiferous tubes in three of which there is spermatogenesis. The darker 

 cells between the tubes are cells of the interstitial gland. 



where it leaves the bloodvessels, passes beneath the peritoneum to the 

 side of the bladder, then along the base of the bladder by the inner side 

 of the seminal vesicle, finally joining the duct of the seminal vesicle, 

 the common tube forming the ejaculatory duct, which opens into the 

 prostatic portion of the urethra. 



The walls of the vas deferens are thick, abundantly supplied with 

 vessels and nerves, and provided with an external fibrous, a middle 

 muscular, and an internal mucous coat. The greater part of that por- 

 tion of the tube which is connected with the bladder is dilated and 

 sacculated. The fibrous coat is composed of strong connective tissue. 



