i8o ABDOMEN 



the upper part of the front of the thigh. It is the enlarge- 

 ment of these glands, therefore, which frequently gives the 

 first intimation of the spread of microbic infection and the 

 migration of the cells of malignant growths from the tissues 

 and organs of the perineal region. They receive lymph from 

 the whole of the skin, the fasciae, and the muscles of the 

 perineum, and also from the skin of the scrotum, penis, and 

 pubis. They also receive lymph from the body and root of 

 the penis, from the penile part of the urethra, and from the 

 terminal part of the anal canal. 



The dissection of the perineum, to the extent usually 

 possible in three days, is now completed, and the student 

 should notice that in the urethral triangle he has opened two 

 fascia-bounded compartments. The superficial compartment 

 lies between Colics' fascia and the urogenital diaphragm. 

 Posteriorly this is closed by the union of the fascia and the 

 diaphragm. Laterally it is closed by the attachment of the 

 fascia and the diaphragm to the rami of the ischium and 

 pubis. Anteriorly, since the fascia of Colles is continuous 

 with the deep layer of the superficial fascia of the abdominal 

 wall, the pouch is open, and fluid poured out into it can pass 

 upwards to the abdominal wall. For the contents of the 

 pouch see p. 154. The deep pouch lies between the two 

 fasciae of the urogenital diaphragm. It is closed posteriorly 

 and anteriorly by the fusion of the posterior and anterior 

 margins of the two fasciae, and laterally by the attachment of 

 the two fasciae of the diaphragm to the rami of the pubis 

 and ischium. For the contents of the deep compartment 

 see p. 165. Above the superior wall of the deep com- 

 partment lie the apex of the prostate gland and the anterior 

 borders of the levatores ani muscles. To approach the 

 prostate, therefore, through the urethral triangle, a series of 

 alternating fascial and muscular strata would "have to be 

 divided, viz. 



1. The fascia of Colles. 



2. The superficial perineal muscles. 



3. The inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm. 



4. The deep transverse perineal muscle and the sphincter of 



the membranous urethra. 



5. The superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm. 



This, however, is not a practicable way of approaching 



