658 THE UKINARY ORGANS. 



tion and swelling of the mucous follicles, to polypoid thickenings of the 

 mucous membrane. 



The inflammation may extend to the fibrous wall of the urethra, the 

 corpora spougiosa and cavernosa. This may result in the formation of 

 new connective tissue or of abscesses, especially near the fossa navicu- 

 laris. There may be involvement of the bladder, the glands of Cowper, 

 the prostate, the spermatic cord, and the testicles. The inguinal glands 

 also may be swollen and inflamed, and the lymphatic vessels on the 

 dorsurn of the penis may be involved in the same process. 



Croupous Inflammation is sometimes seen in children. Fibrinous casts 

 of a small or large portion of the canal may be formed. 



Tuberculous Inflammation occurs rarely in the mucous membrane of 

 the urethra in connection with tuberculous inflammation of the bladder, 

 prostate, or testicles. 



Syphilitic Ulcers may be situated at the meatus or as far back as the 

 fossa uavicularis. They are apt to produce strictures. 



TUMORS. 



Aside from the polypoid outgrowths from the mucous membrane of 

 the urethra as the result of chronic inflammation, fibrous polyps may oc- 

 cur cougenitally, or polyps containing glandular structures or cysts 

 rarely occur. Carcinoma may occur as a result of local extension from 

 adjacent organs or metastasis from the bladder. 



Cysts may occur in the mucous membrane as a result of the dilatation 

 of the mucous glands. Circumscribed masses of dilated veins occasion- 

 ally occur in the urethra, forming the so-called urethral haemorrhoids. 



The sinus pocularis may be dilated in children by the retention of its 

 secretion, so as to form a mass which may obstruct the exit of urine 

 and lead to hypertrophy of the bladder and dilatation of the ureters. 



