270 HUMAN ANATOMY. 



the mucous membrane of the urethra at the meatus, to which 

 it is attached below by a band or bridle frcenum preputii. 



The skin covering the glans resembles mucous membrane,, 

 is very vascular and sensitive, but about the cervix and corona 

 has numerous preputial glands glandulce Tysoni odoriferi, 

 which secrete the smegma. 



The superficial fascia is thin, free from adipose tissue, and 

 continuous with that of the abdomen and scrotum. 



From the front of the pubis a fibre-elastic fasciculus de- 

 scends to the root of the penis, called the suspensory ligament. 



The corpora cavernosa, or cavernous bodies, constitute more 

 than two-thirds of the bulk of the organ. They spring as crura 

 from the rami of the ischium and pubis, swell out into the bulb 

 of the cavernous body, or corpus cavernosum, join each other in 

 the median line, to terminate in a conical extremity, which re- 

 ceives the glans. 



They are grooved above for the dorsal vein, and below for 

 the corpus spongiosum. 



They each have a strong outer fibrous membrane, which, 

 on uniting, forms a thick partition, complete behind, but incom- 

 plete and comb-like in front septum pectiniforme. 



From this septum fibro-elastic bands diverge in all directions 

 and form trabeculce, which with the blood-vessels occupying their 

 intervals, form the erectile tissue of the corpora cavernosa. 



The corpus spongiosum commences as a bulb below the crura 

 and in front of the triangular ligament. It expands anteriorly 

 into the glans penis, which fits upon the conical termination 

 of the corpora cavernosa. 



The urethra enters above and anteriorly to the bulb, and 

 traverses its entire length to the summit of the glans, opening 

 at the meatus. 



The corpus spongiosum consists of an external fibrous coat, 

 thinner and more elastic than that of the corpora cavernosa, and 

 an interior erectile tissue. A thin, muscular layer lines the ex- 

 ternal fibrous coat, and another is found beneath the mucous 

 membrane of the urethra. 



The corpora cavernosa get their blood from the arteries of 

 the corpora cavernosa, and branches from the dorsal artery of 

 the penis, from the internal puclic. 



The corpus spongiosum is supplied by the artery of the bulb. 



The arteries of all three bodies terminate finally in the 

 erectile tissue. Many arterial branches, especially at the root 

 of the penis, form short convolutions the helecine arteries, 

 which terminate in finer vessels, and subsequently open into the 

 spaces of the erectile tissue. Others open directly. 



