THE TESTIS 



373 



THE TESTIS (Testicle) 



Each testis is inclosed within a serous sac, its tunica vaginalis, 

 whose visceral layer is closely applied to the organ. Its parietal 

 layer forms a lining membrane for the scrotum, within which the 

 testicle is suspended. The tunica vaginalis is developed as an 

 invagination of the peritoneum and is a true serous membrane. 

 Its visceral endothelium rests upon a dense connective tissue layer, 

 the tunica albuginea, which serves as a capsule for the organ. 

 The deep surface of the membrane contains many blood vessels 

 which are held in place by a somewhat looser type of connective 

 tissue ; hence this innermost coat is frequently termed the tunica 

 vasculosa testis. 



At the posterior border of the testis its connective tissue cap- 

 sule presents a considerable thickening which indents the organ 



Ductus deferens 



Lobuli epididymidis-c 



Ductuli efferentes 

 testis 



Ductus epi- 

 didymidis 



^Ductulus 

 aberrans 

 (superior) 



Corpus epi- 

 didymidis 



'Ductulus aberrans 



(inferior) 



FIG. 303. THE TESTICLE WITH ITS SYSTEM or EFFERENT PASSAGES. 

 Natural size. (After Toldt.) 



and extends well into its interior to form the mediastinum testis 

 or body of Highmore, in which are the ducts of the rete testis. 

 From the mediastinum testis fibrous septa radiate in all directions 

 to become continuous at the surface of the organ with the con- 

 nective tissue of the tunica albuginea. Thus the organ is sub- 



