2 5 8 



THE ABDOMEN AND PELVIS 



and later contains numerous unstriped muscle fibres. It is 

 present when the anterior abdominal wall is being formed, and 

 the muscles have to accommodate themselves so as to enclose 

 it in the inguinal canal. At the same time the umbilical arteries, 

 which lie medial to the testis, lift up a peritoneal fold so that 

 the gland projects into a small peritoneal fossa. Until the 

 seventh month this fossa lies opposite the abdominal inguinal 



FiG. 78. Diagrams to illustrate the Different Conditions of the 

 Processus Vaginalis. 



a. Foetal condition, showing completely patent processus vaginalis. 



b. Normal condition, with obliterated processus vaginalis and patent tunica vaginalis 

 testis. 



c. d. The processus is only partially obliterated. 

 e. The closure of the processus has been oblique. 



f. The funicular part of the process is shut off from the tunica vaginalis and repeated 

 attempts at obliteration have led to the valve-like constrictions. 



f. Encysted hydrocele of the spermatic cord. 

 . As g, but the proximal part of the processus is patent. 

 /. As h, but a hydrocele is present in the tunica vaginalis. 

 k. Hydrocele of the tunica vaginalis. 



/. One variety of encysted hernia, in which the closed abdominal end of the processus 

 vaginalis has been invaginated within the partially patent funicular part of the processus. 

 m. As I}, with, in addition, the sac of an acquired inguinal hernia. 



ring, but during the eighth month it invades the inguinal canal. 

 At the same time it becomes elongated and forms the processus 

 vaginalis. Thereafter the testis enters the inguinal canal, and it 

 gains its permanent scrotal position during the ninth month. The 

 part of the processus which is related to the spermatic cord loses 

 its connection with the general peritoneal cavity and becomes 

 converted into a solid cord. The lower part of the processus 

 remains patent and constitutes the tunica vaginalis (p. 265). 

 Congenital Anomalies. In Ectopia Testis the guber- 



