Observations on the human urethra, showing its internal structure, as it appeared in the microscope of F. Bauer, Esq

Mr. Bauer has discovered, by the aid of the microscope, that the human urethra is made up of two parts, an internal membrane and an external muscular covering; the former, very thin and destitute of fibres, is thrown into folds in a collapsed state, and upon its surface are numerous orifices of glands; the latter is made up of short interwoven fibres, forming fasciculi united by an elastic substance of the consistence of mucus: these observations show the fallacy of the common opinion, that the lining of the urethra consists of circular contractile fibres, and throw a new light upon the disease called Stricture; a spasmodic stricture being a contraction of a small portion of the longitudinal muscular fibres, while the others are relaxed; and a permanent stricture consisting in the exudation of coagulable lymph, in consequence of inflammation, between the fasciculi of muscular fibres and upon the internal membrane. After adverting to what is known respecting the structure of the corpus spongiosum, and corpora cavernosa, the author proceeds to state the result of Mr. Bauer’s examination of those parts. The cellular structure of the corpora cavernosa is made up of many thin membranous plates, very elastic, and so connected as to form a trellis-work, the edge of which is attached to the elastic ligamentous substance which surrounds them, and which forms the septum that separates them. The structure of the corpus spongiosum resembles that of the corpora cavernosa, except that the parts are formed upon a smaller scale, and that there are no muscular fibres in its ligamentous elastic covering. The various details and descriptions in this paper are illustrated by Mr. Bauer’s drawings.