76 The Blood Vessels of the Prostate Gland 
A slight anastomosis is occasionally seen. The vessels supplying the two 
sides of the gland are distinct. The only anastomosis across the median 
line is by way of the venous channels around the urethra. 
From the large superficial branches above described, smaller ones are 
given off at right angles, and pierce the gland in places corresponding to 
the divisions of the lobules (Art. Fig. 1). Here they penetrate the 
fibrous-tissue septa, and extend to the urethra, becoming smaller and 
smaller, however, as they approach it, so that in this region they are seen 
as very delicate terminal vessels. As they pass down, they give off 
branches which penetrate into the lobule and finally divide into myriads 
of capillaries which pass around the alveoli, and come in very close 
relationship with the secreting cells. From these cells they are separated 
simply by a delicate basement membrane composed of fine fibrils. From 
the superficial vessels branches are given off which enter the lobule di- 
rectly, that is, they do not pass first into the fibrous-tissue septa (Sup. Br. 
Fig. 1). On the anterior surface there are usually two branches which 
do not give off as many smaller ones as the rest, and consequently remain 
larger and extend over to the middle line, where they dip into the median 
fissure and supply the median side of the lobules (Med. Br. Fig. 1). 
The arrangement on the posterior surface corresponds to that seen on 
the anterior surface, in so far as the supply of the lobules is concerned. 
On the posterior surface toward the bladder one vessel penetrates the sub- 
stance of the gland and runs directly to the caput gallinaceum (Art. Col. 
Sem. Fig. 1). Here it divides into a fine network and supplies the erec- 
tile tissue of the organ. Before this vessel reaches the eminence a small 
trunk is given off which extends to the ejaculatory duct (Art. duct. ej. 
Fig. 1). The branch supplying the caput gallinaceum is usually derived 
from the pudic; sometimes it comes from the inferior vesical. 
The arterial supply in the connective tissue toward the urethra is much 
poorer than in the secreting portion. Here the vessels terminate in fine 
branches, relatively somewhat sparsely scattered. The arterial arrange- 
ment is shown on the red side of Figure 1. 
CAPILLARIES. 
The capillaries form a very complete and elaborate network around the 
alveoli of the lobule. Here, as is seen in Figure 3, they surround an 
alveolus in a more or less circular manner, and upon these vessels the 
cells rest almost directly, being separated only by the very delicate con- 
nective-tissue basement membrane. From this outside capillary, a fold- 
ing in is seen, which forms a definite loop (Cap. L. Fig. 3.) This at 
