430 MALE EErRODUCTITE ORGAXS. 



hollow on each side of the collicuhis seminalis. (Adams, Cj'clop. of 

 Auat. vol. iv., p. 147.) 



Vessels and Nerves. — The prostate is supplied by branches of the 

 vesical, hemorrhoidal, and pudic arteries. Its veins form a plexus 

 embedded in the fibrous covering round the sides and base of the gland, 

 •which is highly developed in old subjects. These veins communicate 

 in front with the dorsal vein of the penis, and behind with branches of 

 the internal iliac vein. According to Adams, the lymphatics, like the 

 veins, are seen ramifying between the two layers of the fibrous capsule. 

 The nerves, which are derived from the hypogastric plexus, consist of 

 both medullated and non-medullated fibres, and are interspersed with 

 single or small heaps of ganglionic cells. Pacinian bodies have also 

 been observed on the superficial nerves. (Klein in Strieker's Iland- 

 buch.) 



Prostatic fiuid. — This is mixed with the seminal fluid during emission ; as 

 obtained from the human prostate soon after death, it has a milky aspect, which 

 is ascribed by Adams to the admixture of a large number of epithelial cells, and 

 he thinks it probable that, as discharged during life, it is more transparent. 

 According to the same observer, the prostatic fluid has an acid reaction, and 

 presents, under the microscope, numerous molecules, epithelial particles lioth 

 squamous and columnar, and granular nuclei about -^^ inch in diameter. As 

 age advances, when this gland is disposed to become enlarged, its ducts often 

 contain small round concretions of laminated appearance, and varying from a 

 small size up to that of a millet seed ; they sometimes contain carbonate of lime, 

 but are principally comiiosed of animal matter, which in some of them appears 

 to be entirely amylaceous, in others albuminous, and more frequently is of a mixed 

 character. (Virchow's Cellular Pathology, by Chance, p. 3G9.) 



THE PEHIS. 



The penis, which supports the greater part of the urethra in the male, 

 is composed principally of an erectile tissue, arranged in three long 

 somewhat cylindrical masses, which are enclosed in fibrous sheaths, and 

 are united togetlier so as to form a three-sided prism which receives a 

 covering from the general integument. Of these masses, two, named 

 corpora cavernosa poiis, placed side by side, form the principal part of 

 the organ, whilst the other, situated beneath the two preceding, sur- 

 rounds the canal of the urethra, and is named corjjus cavernosum nreiUnz 

 or corjMS spongiosum. 



The penis is attached at its root to the symphysis of the pubes, and 

 to the pubic arch ; in front it ends in an enlargement named the glans, 

 which is structurally similar to and continuous with the corpus spongi- 

 osum. The intermediate portion or lody of the penis, owing to the 

 manner in which its three component parts are united together, has three 

 somewhat flattened sides and three rounded borders : the upper and 

 anterior side is named the dorsum. The glans penis, which is slightly 

 compressed above and below, presents at its extremity a vertical fissure 

 forming the external orifice of the urethra; its base, which is wider than 

 the body of the penis, is hollo wed out to receive the narrowing extremities 

 of the corpora cavernosa ; its border is rounded and projecting, and is 

 named the corona glandis, behind which is a constriction of the penis 

 named the cervix. The median fold of integument attaching the glans 

 below the urethral orifice to the inferior border of the penis is'named the 

 frcenum of the prepuce." 



