260 



THE ABDOMEN AND PELVIS 



The processus may be shut off from the tunica vaginalis 

 below, and from the general peritoneal cavity above, but yet 

 remain patent in its intermediate part (g). Should this sac 

 become distended with serous fluid, it will form an Encysted 

 Hydrocele of the Cord. A similar variety is shown in (h). The 

 processus has been obliterated in two areas, but the patent 

 portions are so arranged that the occurrence of a funicular 

 hernia, an encysted hydrocele of the cord, and a hydrocele of the 



tunica vaginalis 

 testis at one and 

 the same time is 

 quite possible (i). 

 In (I) an acquired 

 hernia is shown 

 invaginating an 

 encysted hydro- 

 cele, a condition which can only 

 occur when there is little fluid 

 in the hydrocele ; in (m) it is 

 seen passing down posteriorly. 

 In cases of imperfect descent of the 

 testis the processus vaginalis rarely 

 reaches the upper part of the scrotum 

 and never extends down into it. When 

 the testis is retained within the inguinal 

 canal at the subcutaneous inguinal ring, 

 FIG. 79. Diagram of In- the processus j s near ] y always patent, 



and should bowel or omentum descend 

 into it, the commonest type (inter- 

 parietal) of interstitial hernia is produced 



abdominal'waTl have been C^g- 79)' The neck of the SOC lies at 



removed. The patent the abdominal inguinal ring, and its 

 processus vaginalis and f un dus lies between the external oblique 



the peritoneum are shown . . . . . . n 



i n bi ue> aponeurosis and the internal oblique 



muscle. The hernia may enlarge in the 



region of the abdominal inguinal ring and give rise to a dilata- 

 tion of the sac, just beyond its neck. This enlargement lies be- 

 tween the fascia transversalis and the peritoneum, and is known 

 as a pro-peritoneal hernia. In this case it is associated with the 

 interstitial interparietal form. The whole hernia is dumb-bell 

 shaped, the constriction being placed at the abdominal inguinal 

 (int. abd.) ring. 



guinal Canal to show the 

 Position of an Inter- 

 parietal Interstitial 

 Hernia. Portions of the 

 different layers of the 



