UROGENITAL SYSTEM. 



upper border of the symphysis when the bladder is full, two 

 inches higher, or more, when this is empty. Along the pos- 

 terior border it passes to the rectum, or uterus, forming a fold 

 (posterior false ligament) at each side of the recto-vesical, or 

 utero-vesical, pouch. [1155] 



Fixation. The basal part is chiefly fixed by the true liga- 

 ments, processes of the pelvic fascia reaching it in front (pubo- 

 prostatic, or anterior ligaments) from the pubis, and lat- 

 erally (lateral ligaments) from the sides of the pelvis. It is 

 also fixed by fibrous and muscular tissue to the ureters, seminal 

 vesicles, and vasa deferentia (or vaginal wall) . [1 156] 



Structure. It consists of four coats, from without inward 

 the serous (peritoneal), muscular, submucous, and mucous. 

 The muscular coat consists of three strata; externally longitu- 

 dinal fibres, attached (Pubo-vesicalis) to the lower part of the 

 symphysis; mesially circular and oblique fibres, which form 

 the Sphincter vesicse around the urethral orifice; and inter- 

 nally longitudinal fibres. [1156] 



Urethra. The male urethra is described with the reproduc- 

 tive organs. 



The female urethra is an inch or an inch and a half long, 

 slightly curved, and runs from the bladder downward and for- 

 ward under the symphysis and close to the vagina. Between 

 the layers of the triangular ligament, which it pierces, it is sur- 

 rounded by the Compressor urethrse. The external orifice is 

 slit-tike, with lateral lips, and ties between the labia minora 

 just above the vaginal orifice. The mucosa forms longitudinal 

 folds; the most prominent one (crista urethralis) is on the 

 posterior wall. [1157] 



THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS. 



Testes. Each testicle is oval and slightly flattened, an 

 inch and a half long, an inch from before backward, and some- 

 what less in thickness. It has two flattened surfaces, outer 

 and inner; and two rounded borders, anterior and posterior, 



[235] 



