THE FEMALE GENITAL ORGANS. 



355 



fibers, but numerous cellular elements. In the isthmus it is com- 

 pact, but in the ampulla and infundibulum its structure is looser. 

 The mucosa contains a few nonstriated muscle-fibers, which have a 

 longitudinal direction and extend into the chief folds, but not into 

 the accessory folds. 



External to the mucosa is found the muscular coat, consisting 

 of an inner circular and an outer and thinner longitudinal layer 

 consisting of bundles of nonstriated muscular tissue separated by 

 connective tissue and blood-vessels. The longitudinal layer is im- 

 perfectly developed in the ampulla and may be entirely absent in 

 the infundibulum. The peritoneal layer consists of a loose connec- 

 tive tissue covered by mesothelium. 



Mucosa. 



Crypt. J 



_ Crypt. 



Fig. 284. Section of oviduct of young woman. To the left and above are two 

 enlarged ciliated epithelial cells from the same tube ; X I 7- 



The ova ducts have a rich blood-supply. The terminal branches 

 of the arteries pass into the primary and secondary folds of the 

 mucosa, where they form capillary plexuses under the epithelium. 

 The blood is returned by means of a well-developed venous plexus. 

 The lymphatic vessels have their origins in the folds of the mucosa. 

 Nerve-fibers have been traced to the musculature and to the lining 

 epithelial cells. 



The uterus is composed of a mucous, a muscular, and a peri- 

 toneal coat. 



The mucosa of the body of the uterus and cervix is lined by a 

 single layer of columnar ciliated epithelial cells ; these are some- 



