THE URETHRAL GLANDS. 181 



Describe the Structure of the Urethra. It has 3 coats, a mucous, a 

 muscular, and an erectile. The 



Mucous Coat, is continuous with that of the whole urinary tract and the 

 ducts of the glands opening therein. Its epithelium is columnar, except 

 in the fossa navicularis, where it is squamous. 



Muscular Coat, consists of a layer of longitudinal fibres of the unstriped 

 variety. [For the voluntary muscles of the urethra, see the Compressor 

 Urethrse and Accelerator Urinae, page 84.] 



Erectile Coat, is the corpus spongiosum of the penis, and a thin layer con- 

 tinued therefrom around the membranous and prostatic portions. 



THE FEMALE URETHRA. 



Enumerate the Characteristics of the Female Urethra. It is about 

 \y^ inch long, imbedded in the anterior wall of the vagina, perforating the 

 triangular ligament, and surrounded by the fibres of a compressor urethrse 

 muscle. Its diameter is about % mcn > but it is capable of considerable 

 dilatation, being surrounded by softer structures than those around the 

 male urethra. 



THE MALE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 



THE URETHRAL GLANDS. 



Where is the Prostate Gland ? It encircles the neck of the male 

 bladder, its apex touching the deep perineal fascia, its under surface resting on 

 the rectum. It is perforated by the urethra and the common seminal ducts, 

 and its ducts open into the prostatic portion of the urethra. 



State its Dimensions and Characteristics. It measures about i^ inch 

 by i inch by 3^ inch, weighs about ^ oz., resembles a horse-chestnut in size 

 and shape, and consists of three lobes, two being lateral and of equal size, the 

 third or middle lobe being a small prominence situated in the notch between 

 the lateral lobes. 



Describe its Structure. The prostate gland is composed of glandular 

 substance and muscular tissue, inclosed in a fibrous capsule. 



How is it Held in Position ? By the pubo prostat'C ligaments of the 

 bladder, the posterior layer of the deep perineal fascia, and by the anterior 

 portion of the levator-ani muscle. 



Where are Cowper's Glands ? They are situated between the two layers 

 of the deep perineal fascia, one on each side of the membranous portion of 

 the urethra, close behind the bulb, and inclosed by the transverse fibres of the 

 compressor urethrse muscle. 



