802 MALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



ness, its dark color, and its looseness of connection with the deeper parts of the 

 organ, and containing no adipose tissue. At the root of the penis the integu- 

 ment is continuous with that upon the pubes and scrotum ; and at the neck of 

 the glans it leaves the surface, and becomes folded upon itself to form the pre- 

 puce. 



The internal layer of the prepuce, which also becomes attached to the cervix, 

 approaches in character to a mucous membrane ; it is reflected over the glans 

 penis, and at the meatus urinarius is continuous with the mucous lining of the 

 urethra. 



i The mucous membrane covering the glans penis contains no sebaceous glands ; 

 but projecting from its free surface are a number of small, highly sensitive 

 papillae. 



The penis is composed of a mass of erectile tissue, inclosed in three cylin- 

 drical fibrous compartments. Of these, two, the corpora cavernosa, are placed 

 side by side along the upper part of the organ ; the third, or corpus spongiosum, 

 incloses the urethra, and is placed below. 



The Corpora Cavernosa form the chief part of the body of the penis. They 

 consist of two fibrous cylindrical tubes, placed side by side, and intimately 

 connected along the median line for their anterior three-fourths, their posterior 

 fourth being separated to form the two crura, by which the penis is connected 

 to the rami of the pubes. Each crus commences by a thick-pointed process in 

 front of the tuberosity of the ischium ; and, near its junction with its fellow, 

 presents a slight enlargement, named, by Kobelt, the bulb of the corpus caver- 

 nosum. Just beyond this point they become constricted, and retain an equal 

 diameter to their anterior extremity, where they form a single rounded end, 

 which is received into a fossa in the base of the glans penis. A median groove 

 on the upper surface lodges the dorsal vein of the penis, and the groove on the 

 under surface receives the corpus spongiosum. The root of the penis is con- 

 nected to the symphysis pubis by the suspensory ligament. 



Structure. Each corpus cavernosum consists of a strong fibrous envelope, 

 inclosing a fibrous reticular structure, which contains erectile tissue in its 

 meshes. It is separated from its fellow by an incomplete fibrous septum. 



The fibrous investment is extremely dense, of considerable thickness, and 

 highly elastic; it not only invests the surface of the organ, but sends off nume- 

 rous fibrous bands (trabeculse) from its inner surface, as well as from the surface 

 of the septum, which cross its interior in all directions, subdividing it into a 

 number of separate compartments, which present a spongy structure, in which 

 the erectile tissue is contained. 



The trabecular structure fills the interior of the corpora cavernosa. Its com- 

 ponent fibres are larger and stronger round the circumference than at the centre 

 of the corpora cavernosa ; they are also thicker behind than in front. The in- 

 terspaces, on the contrary, are larger at the centre than at the circumference, 

 their long diameter being directed transversely ; and they are largest anteriorly. 

 They are lined by a layer of squamous epithelium. 



The fibrous septum forms an imperfect partition between the two corpora caver- 

 nosa; it is thick and complete behind ; but in front it is incomplete, and consists 

 of a number of vertical bands of fibrous tissue, which are arranged like the 

 teeth. of a comb, hence the name, septum, pectiniforme ; these bands extend be- 

 tween the dorsal and urethral surface of the corpora cavernosa. 



The fibrous investment and septum consist of longitudinal bands of white 

 fibrous tissue, with numerous elastic and muscular fibres. The trabeculse also 

 consist of white fibrous tissue, elastic fibres, and plain muscular fibres, and in- 

 close arteries and nerves. 



The Corpus Spongiosum incloses the urethra, and is situated in the groove on 

 the under surface of the corpora cavernosa. It commences posteriorly in front 

 of the deep perineal fascia, between the diverging crura of the corpora caver- 

 nosa, where it forms a rounded enlargement, the bulb ; and terminates, ante- 



