INFERIOR PERINEAL FASCIA. 173 



Immediately beneatl^ the skin of the perineum is the Perineal 

 Fascia, a thin but strong membrane, which extends from bone 

 to bone, occupying the space between the anus and the poste- 

 rior part of the scrotum. It is rather better seen in lean subjects 

 than in fat ones, for in the latter it is converted in part into adi- 

 pose membrane. When a rupture occurs in the posterior part 

 of the urethra, this fascia prevents the urine from showing itself 

 immediately in the perineum, and drives it into the cellular 

 structure of the scrotum. 



Immediately beneath the perineal fascia are placed the 

 muscles ; when they are removed, the bulb of the urethra may 

 be' seen very advantageously, extending in the middle of the 

 perineum almost to the anus. It is not loose and pendulous, 

 but is attached by its pelvic surface to the triangular ligament of 

 the urethra. This ligament is a septum between the perineum 

 and the pelvis, and connects itself to the pelvic or internal edges 

 of the rami of the pubis and ischium as far down as the organs 

 of the crura penis. It extends from the arch of the pubis to 

 the line mentioned, and fills up all the space between the bones 

 of the opposite sides. It consists of two lamina, and Cowper's 

 glands are placed between them. About an inch below the 

 syrnphysis pubis a perforation is made in this ligament for the 

 passage of the membranous part of the urethra. 



Just below the symphysis pubis, between the two lamina of 

 the triangular ligament, is placed a much stronger ligament 

 called the pubic, which is about half an inch broad ; its lower 

 edge is thick and rounded.] 



There are three fasciae belonging to the region of the peri- 

 neum, exclusive of the pubic ligament just described, and the 

 common superficial or subcutaneous fascia which is here dense 

 and loaded usually with fatty matter. 



The three proper fasciae of the perineum, are named from 

 their relative position. 1st. The inferior perineal fascia, 

 described above simply as perineal fascia. 2d. The middle 

 perineal fascia, which from its shape is generally known as the 

 triangular ligament, 3. The superior perineal fascia, or pelvic 

 aponeurjosis. 



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