CHAP. XXXVII.] PROSTATE GLAND. 541 



but at the same time, there can be no doubt that they furnish a 

 proper secretion of their own for its dilution, and for the preserva- 

 tion of its integrity. 



Prostate Gland. The prostate may be described as consisting 

 essentially of two distinct structures; first, of a glandular portion, 

 composed of conical or roundish vesicles lined with cylindrical 

 epithelium and containing brown granules ; and, secondly, of 

 several layers of fibrous tissue, with which many fibres of un- 

 striped muscle are everywhere incorporated ; indeed, the proportion 

 of the muscular and fibrous elements to the glandular structure, is 

 so great, that Kolliker calculates that the latter does not constitute 

 more than one-third part of the whole mass of the gland. The 

 muscular fibres covering the prostate, were originally described by 

 Mr. Hancock. 



The secreting follicles open into ducts, which are lined with 

 cylindrical epithelium, presenting similar characters to that found 

 in the prostatic portion of the urethra. 



The ducts, which are very numerous, open into the urethra, upon 

 each side of the caput gallinaginis. 



Little is known with reference to the nature of the secretion of 

 the prostate, or of the function which it performs. The secretion 

 is stated to be very similar in character to that of the vesiculae 

 seminales. 



Small concretions, or prostatic calculi, are very frequently met 

 with in the follicles of the gland, or are voided during life. They 

 usually consist of phosphate of lime, with animal matter, and a 

 trace of carbonate of lime ; and are often remarkable for their per- 

 fectly spherical form and smooth glistening surface. They com- 

 mence by the deposition of calcareous matter in the walls of large 

 oval cells, which are, probably, altered epithelial cells of the gland 

 itself. Dr. Handfield Jones has carefully investigated the formation 

 of prostatic concretions.* 



Cowper's Glands. These small glands are two in number, and are 

 situated anterior to the prostate, between the layers of the triangular 

 ligament. Their somewhat long excretory ducts open into the 

 bulbous portion of the urethra. They are composed of vesicles, 

 lined with tesselated epithelium, which pour their secretion into 

 ducts lined with columnar epithelial cells. As in the case of the 

 prostate, the secreting portion of these little glands is embedded in 

 a fibrous stroma, which contains very numerous unstriped muscular 



* Medical Gazette, Aug. 2()th, 1847. 



