STRUCTURE OF THE URETHRA. 305 



which penetrate between the lobules of Cowper's glands, where 

 they break up and become associated with transversely striated 

 muscles (ischio-cavernosi and perineales) entering the substance 

 of the gland from below and externally. 



The above-mentioned muscular layer is also connected with 

 the muscular trabeculse of the crura penis. 



Superiorly this muscular layer, becoming pointed like a 

 gable end, and diminishing in breadth, is continuous with a 

 septum of connective tissue, which is again itself continuous 

 with the fasciculi of connective tissue lying on the under 

 surface of the corpus cavernosum urethrae (corpus spongiosum). 

 Applied to this septum at an obtuse angle on either side, is a 

 longitudinal layer of muscular fibres O54 of a millimeter in 

 thickness, which is a direct continuation of the muscular tissue 

 of the urethra, and surrounds whilst it is also continuous 

 with the muscular trabeculse traversing the substance of the 

 corpus cavernosum urethrse. Where the muscular layer is in 

 apposition on either side with the above-mentioned septum, 

 several large veins exist, arising vertically from the erectile 

 tissue of the crus penis (corpus cavernosum), and penetrating 

 into the erectile tissue of the urethra (corpus spongiosum). 



We may here appropriately consider the glands of Cowper. 

 Their position has already been indicated, and it only remains 

 to describe their structure. 



Cowper's glands are of oblong form, with their long diameter 

 directed downwards and inwards. Each possesses a duct lined 

 by columnar epithelium, and having a diameter of 0*18 of a 

 millimeter, which ascends by the side of the crus penis, and, 

 as has been already mentioned, is accompanied by a layer of 

 smooth muscles running parallel to its longitudinal axis. As 

 the ducts approximate the urethra, they diminish in diameter. 

 Each duct subdivides several times, and the branches have two 

 or more terminal dilatations of 0*08 to (H2 of a millimeter in 

 width, which constitute acini. The structureless walls of the 

 acini are lined by columnar epithelium. 



The gland substance is here, as elsewhere, surrounded by a 

 tolerably close plexus of capillaries. 



The fibrous material in which the gland substance is im- 

 bedded is partially composed of connective tissue, but chiefly 



VOL. II. X 



