On the male generative organs of Chlamydophorus truncatus and Dasypus sexcinctus / by M. Watson.

  • Watson, Morrison.
Date:
1878
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the male generative organs of Chlamydophorus truncatus and Dasypus sexcinctus / by M. Watson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    urethra. As Professor Macalister observes, the vasa are not convo- luted, neither do they present any trace of lateral diverticula or vesi- culse seminales. Prostate gland is well developed, and forms a quadrilateral mass of lobulated glandular tissue lying upon the upper surface of the intra- pelvic urethra. It measures of an inch in length, and the same in breadth, and is attached by its posterior border to the urethra, its anterior border, which is free, extending between the vesical openings of the ureters. The vasa deferentia sink into the latter in their course to the urethra. Prof. Macalister does not refer to this gland. Cowper’s glands.—These, which are not mentioned by Macalister, are two in number. Each lies in close relation to, and slightly under cover of, the inner side of the crus penis. They are regularly pyri- form ; and each ineasurss ^ of an inch in length. Their ducts pass forward, and open at once into the commencement of the spongy portion of the urethra. Penis.—The penis is formed by the junction of the two crura exclusively, the third element or corpus spongiosum being entirely absent. The crus penis of each side is attached to the ramus of the ischium, as well as to the posterior half of the free border of the pubic bone, the latter bone not uniting with its fellow of the opposite side. Each measures ^ an inch in length, and lies along the inner side of the adductor muscle of the thigh. The two crura unite opposite the anterior border of the pubic bones, and together form, as it were, a bridge, underneath which the rectum passes backward to the anus. In consequence of the absence of a corpus spongiosum, the penis is devoid of both bulb and glans. The penis itself measures -§■ of an inch in length, of which the basal are concealed by the inte- gument, the remainder being free. Muscles of penis.—Of these there are three on each side of the middle line:—(1) The ischio-cuvernosus is strong and covers the crus. Its fibres are attached posteriorly to the ischium, whilst ante- riorly they are inserted into the crus behind the junction of the latter with its fellow. A small portion of the crus between this and the next muscle is uncovered by muscular fibres. (2) Bulbo-caver- nosi. These two muscles are apparently continuous across the middle line, and together form an investment of transversely arranged mus- cular fibres which covers the lower surface of the basal portion of the penis. No median raphe could be distinguished between them. (3) Retractores penis. These are placed on the dorsal aspect of the organ. Each is a delicate riband-like muscle which, arising from the upper wall of the pelvic cavity, crosses the outer side of the de- pressor caudse muscle, and passing down parallel to the crus penis, and along the dorsal aspect of that organ, is inserted into the corpus cavernosum immediately behind the tip of the penis. These muscles doubtless act in the same manner as in Dasgpus, and serve to retract the penis within the rudimentary prepuce. Beyond the statement that the crus penis is invested by muscular fibres, Prof. Macalister gives no account of the muscles just described. [4]