SITUATION OF THE MUSCLES. 167 



any fluid contained in the cavity of the urethra, and also of 

 giving the same direction to the blood in that part of the corpus 

 spongiosum. There is also the Transversus Perinei on each 

 side, that passes transversely from the tuberosity of the iscjiium 

 to the bulb of the urethra. Finally, the lower part of the 

 sphincter ani muscle, which is nearly elliptical in form, is in- 

 serted by its anterior point into the muscular covering of the 

 bulb of the urethra. Upon removing the integuments, these 

 muscles are in view ; and the course of the urethra from the 

 bladder is concealed, particularly by the anterior point of the 

 sphincter ani. When the sphincter ani is dissected away from 

 its anterior connexions, and the cellular and adipose substance, 

 which is sometimes very abundant, is also removed, the lower 

 surface of the membranous -part of the urethra may be brought 

 into view, as it proceeds from the prostate gland to the bulb of 

 the corpus spongiosum.* 



When the accelerator urinae is removed from the bulb of the 

 urethra, there will appear two bodies, which have some resem- 

 blance to flattened peas. They lie one on each side of the 

 urethra, in contact or nearly so with its bulb, and from each 

 gland proceeds an excretory duct of an inch and a quarter in 

 length between the corpus spongiosum and the lining membrane 

 of the canal of the urethra, and opens into the latter. Its orifice 

 is found with some difficulty, but is large enough to admit a bris- 

 tle. These are Cowper's glands.f 



The penis is connected to the symphysis pubis by a ligamen- 

 tous substance, which proceeds from the back or upper surface 

 of the organ to the anterior part of the symphysis, and connects 

 these jparts firmly to each other, called ligamentum suspense- 

 rium penis. 



* The natural situation of the membranous part of the urethra, and of the 

 prostate gland, as well as their relative position with respect to the sphincter 

 ani, rectum, &c., can be best studied by a lateral view of the contents of the 

 pelvis ; which is to be obtained by removing carefully one of the ossa innomi- 

 nata, and dissecting the parts which were enclosed by it. 



f These glands were discovered by Mery, in 1684, and described by Cowper, 

 in 1699. A third gland, smaller than the preceding, connected with the curve 

 of the urethra under the symphysis pubis, was discovered by Cowper, and 

 Morgagni speaks of having observed a fourth. H. 



