458 



THE FEMALE EEPEODUCTIVE ORGANS. 



pubes. Sometimes it is circular, and is perforated only by a small 

 round orifice, placed usually a little above the centre ; and occasionally 

 it is cribriform, or pierced with several small apertures ; and it may in 

 rare instances completely close the vagina, constituting " imperforate 

 hymen." On the other hand, it is often reduced to a mere fringe, or it 

 may be entirely absent. After its rupture, some small rounded eleva- 

 tions remain, called cannuuM myrtifonnes. 



The mucous membrane may be traced inwards from the borders of 

 the labia majora, where it is continuous with the skin : it forms a fold 

 over the vascular tissue of the nympha?, and is then prolonged into the 

 urethra and vagina. It is smooth, reddish in colour, is covered by a 

 scaly epithelium, and is provided with a considerable number of mucous 

 crypts or follicles, and with glands which secrete an unctuous and 

 odorous substance. The mucous crypts and follicles are especially dis- 

 tinct on the inner surface of the nymphse, and near the orifice of the 

 urethra. The sebaceous glands are found beneath the prepuce, and 

 upon the labia majora and outer surface of the nymphs. 



The glands of Bartiiolin (or of Duverney), corresponding to 

 Cowper's glands in the male, are two reddish yellow round or oval 

 bodies, measuring about half an inch in the longest diameter, lodged 

 one on each side of the commencement of the vagina, between it and 

 the erectores clitoridis muscles, beneath the superficial perineal fascia, 

 and in front of the transverse muscles. Their ducts, which are long 



Fig. 327. — Front View of the Erectile Structukes ov the External Organs in 

 THE Female (from Kobelt). | 



o, bulLus vestibuli ; b, sphincter vaginje muscle ; e, e, venous plexus or pars inter- 

 media ; /, glans clitoridis ; y, connecting veins ; h, dorsal vein of the clitoris ; k, veins 

 passing beneath the pubes ; I, the obturator vein. 



and single, run forward and open on the inner aspect of the nymphaB, 

 outside the hymen or carunculce myrtiformes. 



Erectile tissue. — All the parts of the vulva are supplied abundantly 



