o. 



A Neiv Feature in the Anatomical Structure of the Cfenito- Urinary 

 Organs not hitherto described. By Gurdon Buck, Jr., M. D., 

 Surgeon to the Neiv York Hospital, $c. $c. [Illustrated ivith a 

 plate. ~\ 



There is scarcely any anatomical division of the human body 

 which has been more thoroughly studied than the Genito-Urinary 

 Organs in the male, and particularly within a recent period. 



So minute have been the investigations of living anatomists, that 

 it would hardly seem possible that anything should have escaped 

 their notice, and remain to be brought to our knowledge at the pre- 

 sent clay, especially such an anatomical feature as the one to which 

 this communication is intended to invite attention. 



It is now at least five years since it first attracted my notice while 

 engaged in dissections preparatory to a course of lectures on Surgi- 

 cal Anatomy at the New York Hospital, and from that time to the 

 present it has been demonstrated every year to the class attending 

 the spring course at that institution. 



At the close of the college session in the spring of 1846, an op- 

 portunity was offered me, through the kindness of my friend, Pro- 

 fessor Watts, of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in the city 

 of New York, of exhibiting this structure to his anatomical class. 



If the dignity of a new discovery cannot be claimed in the pre- 

 sent instance, it will, perhaps, be conceded that parts already only 

 partially known, are now exhibited in new relations, not hitherto 

 described, and possessing a real interest from their practical bearings. 



The anatomical structure in question consists of a distinct mem- 

 branous sheath investing the penis in the manner to be described, 

 and forming a continuation of the suspensory ligament above, and 

 of the perineal fascia below, and will be best understood by a de- 

 scription of the mode of dissecting it. 



The penis and scrotum are to be circumscribed by an incision at 

 the distance of three fingers breadth all around, and crossing the 

 perineum at the anterior margin of the sphincter. 



