EXTEAVASATION OF UEINE. 439 



membranous in character. It is definitely attached laterally to 

 the periosteum of the rami of the ossa pubis and the ischia, thus 

 preventing extravasated urine from finding its way into the 

 tissues of the thighs. Posteriorly it winds round the hinder 

 border of the transversus perinei muscles, to become blended 

 with the margin of the base of the triangular ligament, thereby 

 effectually hindering the escaped urine from passing back into 

 the perineum proper. In front, however, it is as it were un- 

 attached, and is continuous with the same layer covering the 

 scrotum, the penis, and the lower part of the abdominal wall. 

 From this anatomical arrangement it will be readily seen that 

 urine, extravasated by rupture of the bulbous portion of the 

 urethra, will find its way directly into the tissue beneath this 

 deep layer of the superficial fascia. Further, the urine will be 

 forced to extend forwards, being prevented from going backwards 

 or outwards by the attachment of the deep layer of the superficial 

 fascia, and upwards towards the pelvic cavity by the anterior 

 layer of the triangular ligament. It will therefore creep forwards 

 into the scrotal tissue, on to the penis, rising up on to the 

 anterior abdominal wall, and reaching, if allowed, as high even 

 as the level of the axilla. It will not descend from the hypo- 

 gastric region into the thighs more than to just below Poupart's 

 ligament, on account of the attachment of this deep layer of the 

 superficial fascia to the fascia lata two fingers' breadth below the 

 ligament. The urine readily induces an intense inflammation 

 with great swelling, and unless quickly drained out by free 

 incisions will cause sloughing. The incisions may be, and should 

 be, made deeply into the infiltrated tissue, without fear of doing 

 harm. 



