THE MALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 227 



around the muscular coat, similarly as elsewhere, in connection 

 with smooth muscular fibres. Small nerve-fibres have been 

 traced into the epithelial lining. Collections of ganglionic 

 nerve-cells are found on the posterior surface of the membra- 

 nous portion ; in the dense connective tissue at the posterior 

 portion of the bulb ; and lastly, in the network of nerve-fibres 

 around the vessels at the side of the bulb. 



The lymphatic system of the urethra is found in the mu- 

 cous membrane, near the epithelium. It consists of a network 

 of vessels with longitudinally arranged meshes ; they are con- 

 nected with the lymphatic vessels of the bladder, and also open 

 into the lymphatic canals of the glans penis. 



Cowper's glands. These organs, two in number, are situ- 

 ated in the striated muscular tissue which surrounds the mem- 

 branous portion of the urethra. They are lobulated, oval, and 

 belong to the racemose group of glands. They are composed 

 of acini and excretory ducts which unite to form a single duct 

 for each gland, and discharge into the bulbous portion of the 

 urethra. The acini constituting the several lobules are separated 

 by connective tissue intermixed with smooth muscular fibres ; 

 they possess a structureless membrana propria, and are lined 

 with columnar cells, which are imbricated upon their outer thin 

 portions. The ducts are lined with flattened columnar cells, 

 and a layer of smooth muscular fibres is seen running along 

 them. A capillary network surrounds the glandular structure. 



The prostate may be described as a glandular organ, pecu- 

 liar in having its stroma composed of involuntary muscular 

 elements. Externally it possesses a connective-tissue envelope 

 which is united to bands of smooth muscular fibres that run 

 in every direction, and constitute the cortical substance of 

 the organ. From this cortex numerous bands or trabeculze 

 of a similar muscular nature proceed, forming an intricate 

 network, and making up the greater part of the gland ; in the 

 meshes of this reticulum is placed the glandular structure. 

 The thickness of the cortex, or the amount of glandular sub- 

 stance, varies according to the position, whether behind or in 

 front of the urethra, and it is found that the glandular struc- 

 ture is comparatively more developed behind and in the lower 

 portions than in front of the urethra. 



