Fig. 151. Median Section through Male Pelvis. 



Frozen section through the body of a robust elderly man. The Rectum was 

 much distended by faeces which were removed after the section had been har- 

 dened; the Bladder contained frozen urine which melted as the section thaived. 



The parietal layer of Peritoneum lining the Anterior Abdominal Wall 

 can be traced over the summit and posterior aspect of the Bladder to be reflected 

 on to the anterior surface of the Rectum at the level of the lower border of the 

 4th segment of the Sacrum. This point, of great surgical importance (for the 

 removal of Tumours) is situated 3 inches above the Anus (length of Index Finger). 

 The Peritoneum now continues upwards as far as the 2nd or ist segment of the 

 Sacrum. Between the Anterior Abdominal Wall and the Peritoneum a space is 

 formed when the Bladder is distended (Space of Retzius) because the peritoneum 

 being adherent to the Bladder is pushed upwards as this organ rises out of the 

 Pelvis (Fig. 144). Between the Rectum and the Bladder, close to the middle line 

 is situated the Ampulla of the Vas Deferens — this is partly shewn in the section. 

 The Rectum when filled with faeces is chiefly distended above the 3rd or Anal 

 portion (Ampulla Recti) so that the organs which lie in front of this part are 

 pushed upwards. 



Below the Ampulla of the Vas Deferens lies the posterior portion of the 

 Prostate; the remainder of this gland lies in front of the Urethra, and is sur- 

 rr>unded by the Prostatic Venous Plexus. 



In this specimen the Bladder Wall is thickened and presents marked rugae 

 on its inner surface. The Urethra on emerging from -the Bladder passes through 

 the Prostatic portion — Prostatic Sinus or Verumontanum — this portion is usually 

 one inch or a little more in length, though in cases of Hypertroph}' of the Prostate 

 or a greatly distended Rectum this ma}- be exceeded. The next segment of 

 the Urethra is known as the Membranous portion — according to Waldeyer 

 the upper and larger part of this should be called the Muscular portion because 

 it is surrounded by muscles from which it derives both circular and longitudinal 

 fibres. The length of this segment is almost one inch. The Urethra at this 

 situation forms a curve at an angle of 90 degrees which often obstructs the 

 passage of the point of a catheter. The distal segment is 6 to 8 inches long and 

 extends from the Anterior layer of the triangular ligament to the end of the 

 Penis, lying between the Corpora Cavernosa it is surrounded by a delicate erectile 

 tissue (the Corpus Spongiosum) which is enlarged posteriorly to form the Bulb and 

 anteriorl)' to form the Glans Penis. The Corpora Cavernosa arise on either side 

 of the ascending Ramus of the Pubis and tenninate as cones at the level of the 

 Coronar}' Sulcus of the Glans Penis by which they are covered. Slight!}- 

 posterior to the slit-like external urinar}^ orifice the Urethra widens into the Fossa 

 Xavicularis. The Glans may or may not be covered by a Prepuce according to 

 size, age, habits, etc. (Phimosis, Paraphimosis, Circumcision — cf. Fig. 1 5 2 and Text). 



As the position of the testicles is not quite symmetrical, the Septum of 

 the Scrotum has not been divided but the left testicle within its Tunica Vaginalis 

 has been cut obhquely. 



