THE BLADDER. 



1001 



the Levatores ani muscles and walls of the pelvis by a quantity of loose areolar 

 tissue containing fat. In front this surface is connected to the recto-vesical fascia 

 hy a broad expansion on either side, the lateral true ligaments. The vas deferens 

 crosses the hinder part of the lateral surface obliquely, and passes between the 

 ureter and the bladder. 



The fundus or base is directed downward and backward, and is partly covered 

 by peritoneum and partly uncovered. In the male the upper portion, to within 

 about an inch and a half of the prostate, is covered by the recto-vesical pouch of 

 peritoneum. The lower part is in direct contact with the anterior wall of the 

 second part of the rectum and the vesiculse seminales and vasa deferentia. The 

 ureters enter the bladder at the upper part of its base, about two inches above the 

 prostate gland. 



Vermiform appendix. 



External iliac 

 artery. 



Anterior crural External oUique 

 nerve. muscle. 



Profunda vessels. LEVATOR ANI. Corpora Urethra. 



cavernosa. 



FIG. 559. Frontal section of the lower part of the abdomen. Viewed from the front. (Braune.) 



The portion of the bladder in relation with the rectum corresponds to a 

 triangular space, bounded, below, by the prostate gland ; above, by the recto- 

 vesical fold of the peritoneum ; and on each side, by the vesicula seminalis and 

 vas deferens. It is separated from direct contact with the rectum by the recto- 

 vesical fascia. When the bladder is very full, the peritoneal fold is raised with 

 it, and the distance between its reflection and the anus is about four inches ; but 

 this distance is much diminished when the bladder is empty and contracted. In 

 the female, the base of the bladder is connected to the anterior aspect of the cervix 

 uteri by areolar tissue, and is adherent to the anterior wall of the vagina. Its 

 upper surface is separated from the anterior surface of the body of the uterus by 

 the utero-vesical pouch of peritoneum. 



The so-called neck (cervix) of the bladder is the point of commencement of the 

 urethra ; there is, however, no tapering part, which would constitute a true neck, 



