10-24 THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 



the external inguinal openinjj; with the t^troiig lihrous bands crossing the cohnnus 

 of the ring-, and i)rolonged, like the dartos, over the penis and periniemn. It is 

 continuous behind with the deep layer of the superticial perinneal fascia, and above 

 Avith the superficial fascia over the symphysis. 



(3) The cremasteric or middle spermiatic fascia is a well-defined fibro-mus- 

 cular expansion covering the cord and testicle. It consists of a strong double 

 lamina of areolar and elastic tissue enclosing and connecting longitudinal bundles 

 of striped muscle, the fibres of which may be traced above to the external inguinal 

 ring, where they are divided into two principal sets: an inner (often absent), attached 

 to the pubic spine, and an outer derived from the lower border of the internal 

 ol:)lique, and arising ixowi Pou})art's ligament opposite the inguinal ring. Below, 

 the tunic lilends with the dartos opposite the lower extremity of the testicle. The 

 cremaster contracts during convulsive expiratory actions of the abdominal muscles 

 and under emotional influences. 



(4) The internal spermatic or ' infundibuliform ' fascia is a delicate con- 

 nective tissue derived from the fascia transversalis. 



(5) The subperitoneal fascia beneath the last, and more or less blended with 

 it, is a laminated prolongation of the sul)peritoneal tissue closely investing the 

 elements of the cord and testicle. It contains elastic fibres, adipose tissue, and 

 unstriped muscular elements, and is the seat of the fatty tumors of the cord which 

 occasionally simulate inguinal hernia. The muscular fibres form a longitudinally 

 directed layer on the deep aspect of the connective-tissue fibres, and are called 

 ' middle cremaster ' by Klein and Barrois to distinguish them from the ' external cre- 

 master ' of striped fibres and the ' internal cremaster ' described in connection with 

 the cord. 



(6) The tunica vaginalis, a serous investment of the testicle, is described 

 below. 



Vessels and Nerves. — The skin and dartos are supplied by branches of the 

 external pudic and superficial perinajal arteries, while the cremaster, the internal 

 spermatic fascia, the subperitoneal fascia, and the visceral layer of the tunica vagi- 

 nalis receive a special branch from the deep epigastric; the corresponding veins 

 communicate with the pudic, the long saphenous, and the dorsal vein of the penis. 

 The lymphatics terminate in the innermost set of the inguinal glands (the lym- 

 phatics of the testicle itself passing to the lumbar glands). The nerves are derived 

 from the genito-crural and superficial perinseal. 



THE TESTICLES. — The testicles (fig. 62'2), two in number, are suspended from 

 the inguinal region by the spermatic cords. The left is supposed to hang some- 

 what lower than the right in the majority of persons. Each gland consists of two 

 pt)rtions, the testicle proper and the epididymis. Its weight as a whole averages 

 between five and six drachms, rarely attaining the maximum of an ounce; it is 

 al)out an inch and a half (4 cm.) in length, an inch and a quarter (3 cm.) in 

 depth (from the anterior to the posterior border), and somewhat less than an inch 

 (22 mm. ) in thickness. It is so suspended in the scrotum that its upper extremity 

 inclines a little more forward than the lower, and its inner surface is turned slightly 

 forwards as well as inwards. 



The Testicle proper is shaped somewhat like a kidney bean; it is elongated 

 from above downwards, and flattened from side to side. Its surface is smooth and 

 white, and is covered by the visceral laj^er of the tunica vaginalis, except where it 

 is in contact with the epididymis. 



The Epididymis is adherent to the posterior and inferior part of the testicle 

 jiroper and inclines slightly to the outer side. It is enlarged aliove into a head or 

 globus major, and below into a tail or globus minor, the intermediate portion 

 being called the body. 



The Tunica Vaginalis is a serous sac of peritoneal origin, which bears to the 

 testicle a relation similar to that of the serous pericardium to the heart. It consists 

 of parietal and visceral layers. 



The visceral layer is intimately adherent to the testicle proper, and to the globus 

 major and outer part of the Ijody of the epididymis, and is })rolonged uinvards for 

 aljout half an inch upon the si)ermatic cord. On the outer side and above, it 

 extends into a dee}) de}jression, the digital fossa, between the testicle and epididy- 



