Varieties of Hydrocele 



429 



thighs. The testis is not, like the heart, completely surrounded by 

 the serous tunic ; the posterior aspect is covered only by the 



epididymis. Through the uncovered part of the testis the vessels 

 enter and leave, and through it an incision could be made into the 

 gland without wounding the serous sac. Occasionally the testis is 

 found with the tunica vaginalis at the back and the epididymis in 

 front, but this variation rarely occurs. 



If, from arrest in the progress of development, obliteration of the 

 funicular process of peritoneum fail to take place, the serous fluid 

 which moistens the general peritoneal cavity may gravitate into the 

 tunica vaginalis, and give rise to a scrotal water-tumour (vSwp, water ; 

 KT^T;, tumour), a hydrocele. And, as this variety of hydrocele is 

 usually found at, or soon after, birth, it is distinguished by the adjective 

 congenital ; sometimes, however, it first appears in adult life. The 

 contents of this variety of hydrocele can be emptied into the abdominal 

 cavity by placing the patient on his back and raising the scrotum : 



Congenital 



Infantile 



Funicular 



Encysted 



Vaginal 



Varieties of hydrocele. (AsHBY and WRIGHT.) 



but, as soon as he is put once more upright, the fluid comes trickling 

 down into the tunica vaginalis. Injecting such a hydrocele for radical 

 treatment might set up an extensive and uncontrollable peritonitis. 

 Treatment can only be expectant ; the obliteration of the funicular 

 process being aided by the constant pressure of a well-fitting truss. 

 It is not in itself a serious condition, but, by maintaining the patency 

 of the funicular process, it invites the descent of a piece of intestine. 

 (Congenital hernia, p. 310.) 



If the funicular process be closed at its abdominal end but open 

 below, a collection of serum in the tunica vaginalis will distend the 



