THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 1265 



The urethra enters the base of the gland near its anterior border and traverses 

 it ahnost vertically, so that the greater portion of the gland is posterior to the 

 canal. On the posterior surface of the gland is a more or less distinct median 

 vertical groove, which serves to separate the lateral portion as the lateral lohes 

 [lobus dexter et sinister], although the demarcation is merely a superficial one. 

 The groove terminates above in a well-marked notch on the posterior border of 

 the base, and immediately in front of this there is a deep funnel-shaped depression 

 of the surface, which receives the ejaculatory ducts. Beginning at this depression 

 two grooves pass forward and slightly lateralward across the surface of the base, 

 marking off a more or less pronounced median elevation, which constitutes what 

 is termed the middle lobe [lobus medius] (fig. 1024); since this lies beneath the 

 trigone of the bladder behind the internal orifice of the urethra its enlargement 

 may produce more or less occlusion of the latter. 



Dimensions. — The longest axis of the prostate, which is almost vertical in the erect posture 

 measures 2.5-3.0 cm., the transverse diameter at the base is 4. 0-4. .5 cm. and the thickness 2.0-2.5 

 cm. Its weight is normally 20-25 grms. but in old age it may be double that, its dimensions 

 having correspondingly increased. 



Structure. — The prostate consists of some 15-30 branched tubular glands imbedded in 

 a matrix of connective tissue, containing a large amount of non-striped muscle tissue and form- 

 ing at the surface of the gland a strong fibro-muscular capsule from which prolongations are 

 contributed to the pubo-vesical ligaments and muscles. The glands, which vary greatly in 

 their development, are outgrowths from the mucous membrane of the urethra, into which their 

 ducts open at the bottom of the grooves that lie lateral to the colhculus seminahs; similarly, 

 the matrix with its muscle tissue is evidently the modified muscular coat of the urethra. Con- 

 sequently there is no distinct demarcation between the wall of the urethra and the substance 

 of the gland, and from the developmental standpoint the gland is to be regarded as the modified 

 wall of the urethra. 



The facts that the prostate shows a special development at puberty and undergoes more or 

 less extensive degenerative changes with the cessation of the reproductive function, as seen in 

 old age and in castrates, indicate that it is associated physiologically with the reproductive 

 organs. Its secretion is a thin alkaline fluid, which may contain round or elongate, concen- 

 trically layered bodies, measuring 0.3-0.5 mm. in diameter and known as amyloid bodies, 

 although they are really albuminous in chemical composition. They are constantly found in 

 adults in the lumina of the glands and may become calcified. The secretion has been found to 

 have a stimulating effect upon the spermatozoa, and this may be its principal function. 



Vessels and nerves. — The arterial supply of the prostate is derived from the inferior vesical 

 and middle haemorrhoidal branches of the hypogastric artery. The veiyis form a rich prostatic 

 plexus in the immediate vicinity of the gland, this being part of the general plexus at the base 

 of the bladder and communicating posteriorly with the seminal plexus and anteriorly with the 

 pudendal plexus. It drains finally into the hypogastric vein. The lymphatics are very abun- 

 dant and form a network on the posterior surface of the gland from which four principal vessels 

 pass to the hypogastric nodes. The nerves are derived from the hypogastric plexus. 



6. The Bulbo-urethral Glands 



The bulbo-urethral glands [gl. bulbo-urethrahs (Cowperi)] or Cowper's glands 

 (figs. 1024, 1025) are two small tubulo-alveolar glands which he one on either 

 side of the membranous portion of the urethra, imbedded among the fibres of the 

 sphincter urethrse membranacese, between the two layers of fascia of the uro- 

 genital trigone. Each is a rounded body with a diameter of 4.0-9.0 mm. and is 

 drained by a duct [ductus excretorius] which perforates the superficial fascia of the 

 trigone and, entering the substance of the bulb of the corpus cavernosum urethrse, 

 traverses it to open on the floor of the bulbar portion of the urethra after a total 

 course of 3.0-4.0 cm. Nothing is definitely known as to the nature of the secre- 

 tion or the functions of the glands. 



THE FEM.ILE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 



The organs of reproduction in the female consist of (1) the ovaries, the 

 essential organs of reproduction; (2; the tuhce uterince (Fallopian tubes), which 

 serve as ducts for the conveyance of the ova to (3) the uterus, in which the embryo 

 normally undergoes its development; (4) the vagina, a canal by which the uterus 

 is placed in communication with the exterior; and (5) the external genitalia. In 

 addition it will be necessary to consider here the female urethra, although it differs 

 from that of the male in that it serves merely as a passage for the contents of the 

 bladder and does not transmit the reproductive elements. 



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