Before attempting to remoye the testicles, the
student should make a tiny cut into the sac (tunica
vaginalis), in which the testicle lies quite loose and
free, insert his blow-pipe and distend it, so as to make
out exactly where it is attached to the testicle, and
how far it extends up the cord.
The distance which it passes up the cord varies
considerably, from about one quarter of an inch and
upwards It may, in some cases, be connected with
the peritoneum in the adult, whilst in the foetus this
connection is always unmistakabla In addition to
this, it will be readily seen, when the tunica vaginalis
is distended, that there is no space between it and the
testicle behind, and that the epididymis and vessels do
not perforate but pass in behind it A little dissec-
tion at this point will render it quite clear that the
tunica vaginalis is reflected over the testicle, and
belongs to that class of structures called serous sacs.
This fact will be rendered still more clear when
the tunica vaginalis is slit open. This can be done
now or later on.
The cord must be severed close to the external
ring, and the testicle can either be dissected at once
or kept moist for future examination at leisure.
The testicle should be pinned out on a board or bit
of cork, resting on its back surface; the tunica
vaginalis slit in front, and reflected.
The testicle will then be seen, covered on its back
and outer surface by another mass, the epididymis, and
passing up behind it is the spermatic cord.
