542 MALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. [CHAP. XXXVII. 



fibre-cells. The secretion of these glands appears to be analogous 

 to ordinary mucus. 



Penis. The penis of man is a highly vascular organ, traversed 

 on its inferior surface by the urethra ; it is composed principally of 

 erectile tissue, which is capable of being distended with blood. 

 This erectile tissue is arranged in three distinct divisions termed 

 the corpora cavernosa and corpus sponyiosum. The corpora cavernosa 

 penis are two in number, and are separated from each other, poste- 

 riorly, by a septum, composed of fibrous tissue ; while anteriorly, 

 they are connected together, and might be considered as one organ. 

 In the middle line above, is situated the dorsal vein and other 

 vessels and nerves ; while the corpus spongiosum urethras is re- 

 ceived into a groove beneath. In the posterior part of the organ, 

 the corpora cavernosa are separated from each other by a consider- 

 able interval, and each is inserted into the rami of the ischium and 

 pubis ; these two diverging extremities of the corpora spongiosa 

 are termed the crura of the penis. 



The corpora cavernosa are invested with a layer of firm fibrous tis- 

 sue, which contains numerous fibres of the yellow elastic element. 



The corpus spongiosum uretlirce surrounds the urethra, and com- 

 mences behind, in a dilated portion situated between the crura 

 penis; and it terminates anteriorly in the expanded glans penis, the 

 rounded margin of which is termed corona glandis, and the con- 

 stricted part beneath, the cervix or neck. 



These bodies consist of a vast number of small venous sinuses, 

 which communicate with each other upon all sides, and contain 

 venous blood. The walls of the sinuses or trabeculce are lined with 

 a layer of tesselated epithelium, external to which is found the 

 proper fibrous tissue, or trabecular tissue. This is composed of 

 white and yellow fibrous tissue, arid fibres of organic muscle. 

 The arteries and nerves for the supply of the organ are supported 

 and surrounded by this texture. 



The arteries of the penis are branches of the pudic : and, in their 

 arrangement, present certain peculiarities, which are well worthy of 

 notice. The smaller divisions, after pursuing a tortuous course in 

 the trabecular tissue, at length open into the venous sinuses, with- 

 out entering into ths formation of any capillary plexus. In the 

 posterior part of the penis, J. Miiller discovered several minute 

 arteries, which were much convoluted, and assumed the twisted 

 appearance of tendrils; whence they are termed the helicine 

 arteries. Kolliker has shown that these arteries terminate in 

 minute vessels, and not in blind extremities, as was originally 



