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THE FEMALE REPEODL'CTIVE OEGAXS. 



Vessels and Nerves. — The vagina is largely supplied with vessels and nerves. 

 Tlie arteries are derived from branches of the internal iliac, viz., the vaginal, 

 internal pudic. vesical, and uterine. The veins correspond ; but they first 

 surround the vagina with numei-ous branches, and form at each side a plexus 

 named tlifi v/jf/hiid plexus. The nerves are derived from the hypogastric plexus 

 of the sympathetic, and from the fourth sacral and padic nerves of the spinal 

 system ; the former are traceable to the erectile tissue. 



THE UTERUS. 



The uterus (or icomi, matrix, va-repov,) is a hollow, muscular organ, 

 with very thick walls, situated in the pelvic cavity between the rectum 

 and the -urinary bladder. In the case of pregnancy it receives the 

 ovum, retains and supports it during the development of the foetus, and 

 expels it at the time of parturition. The Fallopian tubes, extending 

 from each upper angle of the uterus to their ovarian opening, conduct 

 the ovum from the ovary to the uterine cavity. During utero-gestation, 

 the uterus undergoes a great enlargement in size and capacity, as well 

 as important structural changes.. 





Fig. S29. — Anterior View of the Uterus and its Appendages, i 

 a, fundus ; b, body ; c, cervix ; e, front of the upper jiart of the vagina ; «, n, rovmd 

 ligaments ; r, ?•, broad ligaments ; s, s, Fallopian tubes ; t, their fimbriated extremities ; n, 

 ostium abdominale ; the position of the ovaries is indicated through the broad ligaments, 

 and the cut edge of the peritoneum is shown along the side of the broad ligaments and 

 across the front of the uterus. 



In the fully developed virgin condition, which is that to wMch the 

 following description mainly applies, it is a somewhat pear-shaped body, 

 flattened from before backwards, fi'ee above, and connected below with 

 the vagina, into the upper end of which its lower extremity projects. It 

 does not reach above the brim of the pelvis. Its upper end is directed 

 upwards and forwards, the lower downwards and backwards ; so that 

 its axis corresponds witn that of the inlet of the pelvis, and forms an 

 angle or sudden curve with the axis of the vagina, which corresponds 

 more nearly with that of the outlet of the cavity. The uterus projects 

 upwards into a fold of the peritoneum, by which the body is invested 

 both before and behind, and the neck also behind, but in front the peri- 

 toneum does not descend farther than the body. Its free surface is in 



