THE ABDOMINAL WALL 245 



The anterior and posterior parts of the corpus cavernosum 

 urethrae are both expanded. The posterior expanded part 

 forms the bulb of the urethra, which is attached to the median 

 part of the inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm. The 

 anterior expanded portion forms the glans Bern's, which forms 

 a cap over the blunt anterior end of the corpus cavernosum 

 penis (Fig. 109). 



The glans penis is conical in shape and the projecting 

 margin of its base is called the corona glandis. 



The urethra traverses the whole length of the corpus 

 cavernosum urethrae, entering the bulb, from above, at the 

 inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm, and terminating 

 at the extremity of the glans as a vertical fissure, called the 

 orificium urethra externum (O.T. meatus urinarius). 



The integument of the penis is remarkable for its great 

 delicacy and elasticity, and the absence of hairs. It has a 

 brownish tint, and is freely movable over the organ. At the 

 glans the skin leaves the body of the penis, and, passing for 

 a variable distance over the glans, is folded back upon itself 

 so as to form the prepuce (Figs. 85, 113). The deep layer 

 of the prepuce reaches the penis again behind the corona 

 glandis, and is then reflected forwards over the glans to 

 become continuous with the mucous membrane of the urethra 

 at the external urethral orifice. A slight fold will be observed 

 on the under surface of the glans, extending from the lower 

 angle of the external orifice to the prepuce ; this is the 

 frenulum preputii. 



Dissection. Make a longitudinal incision along the dorsum 

 of the penis, from the front of the symphysis pubis to the extremity 

 of the prepuce, and reflect the skin to each side. The superficial 

 fascia, which is thus exposed, consists of loose areolar tissue 

 devoid of fat. Next clean the suspensory ligament of the penis 

 (see p. 200), which descends from the front of the symphysis, 

 and note that, as it reaches the dorsum of the body of the penis, 

 it splits into right and left layers which fuse with the deep fascia 

 at the sides of the penis. After the suspensory ligament is dis- 

 played find the superficial dorsal vein which runs backwards, in 

 the superficial fascia, in the median plane. It ends posteriorly 

 in the superficial external pudendal vein of one or both sides. 

 Now clean away the superficial fascia, and expose the deep fascia. 

 It forms a fibrous envelope for the body of the penis, enclosing 

 both the corpus cavernosum penis and the corpus cavernosum 

 urethrae. 



After the deep fascia has been examined divide it, along the 

 median line, on the dorsum of the penis. Immediately beneath 

 it, in the median plane, find the deep dorsal vein. Clean the 

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