Hydrocele of the Tunica Vaginalis Testis

Abstract

Hydrocele fluids are treated here separately from pleural, pericardial and peritoneal fluids for two main reasons. First, previous authors have always referred to them, if at all, under a separate heading. Secondly, the expected range of diseases causing these effusions is different and some of the cytological findings are unique to this area, in particular the frequent occurrence of spermatozoa and their precursors in samples submitted as hydrocele fluid. Nevertheless the tunica vaginalis testis is simply another mesothelial-lined serous membrane and logically it belongs in company with the rest.