222 NORMAL HISTOLOGY. 



smaller twigs, which follow the ducts into the lobules, the capillary 

 vessels then forming net-works about the individual alveoli. The 

 veins on emerging from the deeper parts of the gland form a rich 

 plexus within the fibrous envelope about the base and sides of the 

 organ. 



The lymphatics originate within the connective-tissue septa as 

 interfascicular clefts ; these unite with definite channels, which, in 

 turn, form the larger lymphatic trunks accompanying the veins in 

 their course to the neighboring deep lymph-glands. 



The nerves, derived principally from the hypogastric plexus, are 

 composed of both medullated and non-medullated fibres, and pass 

 along the stouter connective-tissue trabeculae towards the glandular 

 compartments ; their ultimate mode of termination is still uncertain. 

 Corpuscles of Vater have also been observed along the course of the 

 more superficial nerve-trunks. 



The secretion of the prostate gland the prostatic fluid is 

 a thin, opalescent, slightly acid liquid, usually containing epithelial 

 cells and granules. The dilution of the secretion of the testicle 

 seems to be an important use of this fluid ; and when so mixed, on 

 standing for some time the thin rhombic prostatic or Charcot's 

 crystals make their appearance. 



Within the ducts or acini of the prostate gland additional small, 

 irregularly round, laminated bodies, the prostatic concretions, often 

 occur ; these are constant in advanced age, but they are found often 

 also in young subjects ; these accumulations seem to be albumino- 

 calcareous in nature and present a concentric lamination. 



THE GLANDS OF COWPER. 



Cowper's glands are two small racemose structures, whose 

 rounded, somewhat flattened masses, 1013 mm. in diameter, lie be- 

 neath the anterior part of the membranous urethra. Each gland 

 is composed of several small lobes, which pour out their secretion 

 through the long excretory duct into the posterior part of the bulbous 

 portion of the urethra, where a minute orifice marks the termination 

 of the tube. The lobules composing the gland are held together, 

 as well as enveloped, by a common investment of fibrous connective 

 tissue containing some involuntary muscle. 



The acini are occupied by clear low cylindrical cells, resembling 

 in character and in secretion those of a mucous gland. The epithe- 

 lium lining the small ducts, into which the acini directly open, 

 consists of elements cuboidal in form ; these cells are gradually 

 replaced by taller columnar ones as the urethra is approached. 

 In addition to the epithelium and delicate connective tissue, the 

 walls of the ducts are strengthened by bundles of unstriped muscle. 



