676 PERINEUM OF THE MALE. 



The obturator fascia covers the obturator interims muscle, 

 and is upon the outside of the levator ani. This fascia is 

 connected with the great sciatic ligament, and the rami of 

 the pubis and ischium, and is continuous with the triangu- 

 lar ligament. It forms a sheath for the pudic vessels and 

 nerves, and sends off a process which covers the lower or 

 perineal surface of the levator ani, called the ischio rectal 

 or anal fascia. 



Triangular Ligament, or Ligament of Camper, or Deep 

 Perineal Fascia. This ligament consists of a strong apon- 

 eurosis, forming a septum between the pelvis and perineum. 

 It is situated below the symphysis pubis, attached to and 

 filling up the space between the rami of the pubis and 

 ischium. Its shape is triangular, the base being below 

 and the apex above. It consists of two larninge, one ante- 

 rior, upon which the bulb rests, the other posterior, sur- 

 rounding the membranous part of the urethra, and enclos- 

 ing the prostate gland. 



This ligament is penetrated by the urethra about an 

 inch below the pubic arch. Between its two laminee, at 

 the inferior margin, and posterior to the bulb of the ure- 

 thra, are seen Cowper's glands, already described. At the 

 upper part of this ligament, between its layers, and imme- 

 diately below the symphysis, about half an inch broad, 

 thick and strong, and stretching from side to side of the 

 rami of the pubis, is another called the sub or inter-pubic 

 ligament. These ligaments help to form the anterior 

 boundary of the pelvis, besides giving passage to the ure- 

 thra, and supporting and fixing its bulb. 



SECTION V. 

 THE PERINEUM OF THE MALE. 



The different elements composing the perineum consist 

 of fascia, muscles, blood-vessels, and nerves. 



Dissection. The subject is placed as in the operation for 

 lithotomy, that is, upon the back, with the thighs and 

 knees bent upon the trunk, and the feet and hands bound 

 together. The knees being thrown apart, and the scrotum 



