172 PERINEAL FASCIJE. 



penis. The common trunk then passes between the body of 

 the penis and the symphysis pubis, and terminates in a plexus 

 of veins at the neck of the bladder, which is connected to the 

 plexus above mentioned on the lower and lateral parts of the 

 same viscus. 



The Absorbent Vessels of the penis take two different direc- 

 tions on each side. Those which arise from the integuments 

 generally, unite so as to form a, few trunks on the back of the 

 penis, which divide near the root of the organ, and proceed to 

 the glands of the groin. Those which originate from the inte- 

 rior parts of the penis, accompany the blood-vessels, and ter- 

 minate in the plexus of lymphatics in the pelvis. 



It ought to be noted, that the superficial lymphatics gene- 

 rally enter the upper inguinal glands. The deep-seated 

 lymphatics, which originate in the glans penis and the cavern- 

 ous structure, run with the cavernous artery of the penis, 

 directly into the pelvis. Hence in chancres of the glans, the 

 venereal poison may be introduced into the system without 

 traversing the glands of the groin. 



The Nerves of the penis are principally derived from the 

 lower sacral nerves, which unite in the plexus that forms the 

 great ischiatic. From these nerves a branch on each side ori- 

 ginates, which passes, like the pudic artery, between the sacro- 

 sciatic ligaments. In this course it divides into two branches, 

 one of which passes below to the muscles of the penis and 

 urethra, and to the contiguous parts ; and some of its branches 

 seem finally to terminate in the dartos : the other branch pro- 

 ceeds along the crura of the pubis and ischium, and passing 

 between the symphysis pubis and the body of the penis, 

 arrives at the upper surface or dorsum of the penis, along which 

 it continues on the outside of the veins to the glans, in which it 

 terminates. In this course it sends off several branches, some of 

 which terminate in the integuments of the penis. 



Fascia of the Perineum. 



[There are several fasciae and ligaments about the perineum, 

 which should be connected with the account of its viscera. 



