PELVIS 



579 



where some are large enough to catch the point of a small 

 catheter or bougie. 



Direction of the Urethral Canal. The prostatic portion 

 is directed downwards and very slightly forwards. The 

 membranous part describes a gentle curve behind the sym- 

 physis. The concavity of the curve looks forwards and 

 upwards. The cavernous part first ascends, then curves down- 

 wards. The urethra, therefore, in the flaccid condition of 

 the penis, takes a course in which there are two curves, 

 like the letter (\) placed on its side. When the penis is raised 

 towards the front of the abdomen the curve in the cavernous 



Fibrous capsule of corpus 

 cavernosum penis 



Corpus cavernosum 

 penis " 



Artery to corpus 

 cavernosum penis 



Dorsal vein of penis Dorsal artery 



Dorsal nerve 



Fibrous capsule of corpus 

 cavernosum penis 



Septum peni 



Erectile tissue 

 of corpus 

 cavernosum penis 



"Corpus cavernosum 

 urethrae 



Urethra- 



FIG. 227. Transverse section through the anterior part of the body 

 of the Penis. 



part of the canal is obliterated, and there is then only one 

 curve, the concavity of which is directed upwards. 



Dissection. The corporus cavernosum penis was separated into two 

 parts by the incision which opened the urethra. Transverse incisions 

 should now be made through each part. 



Structure of the Penis. The corpus cavernosum penis 

 consists of a mass of erectile tissue surrounded by a strong 

 nbro-elastic sheath, the tunica albuginea. It is more or less 

 completely separated into two lateral halves by a median 

 septum connected with the internal surface of the sheath. 

 This septum receives the name of septum penis, and it is 

 frequently termed the septum pectiniforme because, in front, 

 it is very imperfect, being broken up by vertical slits into a 



