184 



TOPOGRAPHICAL ANATOMY OF THE 



length (about 2 cm.) at its uterine extremity, where the recto-uterine 

 excavation ends, the dorsal wall of the vagina is connected with the 

 rectum by loose fibrous tissue. The ventral wall is in like manner 

 associated with the vesico-uterine excavation for a short distance at its 

 cranial end, and for the rest of its length is united by loose tissue to 

 the bladder and urethra. The ureters run along the ventral-lateral 

 borders of the vagina on their way to the neck of the bladder. 



The loose perivaginal tissue contains plexiform veins and a variable 

 amount of fat. 



M. sacrococcygeus ventralis lateralis. 



Homologue of m. retractor penis. 



M. sphincter ani extcrnus. 

 - A. perinei. 



Vestibular bulb. 



M. constrictor vestibuli. 

 N. pudendus. 



M. constrictor vulvae. 



Branch of 

 a. obturatoria. 



%-^o V. „, 



obturatoria. 

 Fig. 81. — Dissection of female pelvis. 



It is of surgical moment to note that the backward extension of the 

 recto-uterine and vesico-uterine excavations varies with the degree of 

 distension of the rectum and urinary bladder. When these organs are 

 empty the excavations are continued further backwards than when the 

 bowel is loaded with fasces and the bladder i.s full of urine. Conse- 

 quently, the peritoneal relations of the vagina may be fairly extensive 

 or scarcely present. 



The vestibule ^ (vestibulum vagin;ip) continues the vagina to the 

 external genital parts or vulva, and is in the form of a tube about 12 



^ Vestibulum [L.], an antechamber. 



