44 8 



ABDOMEN 



way to the hypogastric vein. As a rule there is no vein with 

 the superior vesical artery. The veins which correspond 

 to the inferior vesical and middle haemorrhoidal arteries 

 are irregular in number and large in size ; they emerge from 

 venous plexuses on the walls of the respective viscera, and 

 enclose the lower part of the ureter in tortuous coils as they 

 pass to the hypogastric vein. 



Prostata. The prostate is a solid body, partly glandular 

 and partly muscular, which embraces the neck of the bladder 

 and surrounds the first part of the urethra. 



, Ureter 



__.. Membranous urethra 



FIG. 213. Basal aspect of Bladder, Seminal Vesicles, and Prostate, 

 hardened by formalin injection. 



It is conical in shape, with its base directed upwards and 

 its apex downwards. In size it is variable, but its average 

 dimensions are: length, about 31 mm. (one and a quarter 

 inches) from base to apex; breadth, 38 mm. (one and a half 

 inches) from side to side at its broadest part. 



Position. The prostate rests upon the anterior aspect of 

 the lowest part of the rectum. Its apex is about 38 mm. 

 (one inch and a half) distant from the anus, whilst its anterior 

 border lies 18 mm. (three-quarters of an inch) behind the 

 lower part of the symphysis pubis. As already mentioned, 

 the prostate is enclosed in a strong fibrous sheath, derived 

 from the pelvic fascia. The fascial sheath is firmly fixed 

 not only by the pubo-prostatic ligaments, which form a part 



