THE UTEEUS. 



463 



contact with the other pelvic viscera, some convokitions of the small 

 intestine usually lyinp,- upon and behind it. From its two sides the 

 peritoneum is reflected in the form of a broad duplicature, named the 

 lio-amentum latum, whicli, together with the parts contained within it, 

 will be presently described. 



The average dimensions of the uterus are about three inches in 

 length, two in breadth at its upper and wider part, and nearly an inch 

 in thickness : its weight is from seven to twelve drachms. It is usually 

 described as possessing a fundus, body, and neck. 



The fundus is the broad bulging upper end of the body, and ]>rojects 

 upwards from between the points of attachment of the Fallopian tubes. 

 The bodtj gradually narrows as it extends from the fundus to the neck ; 

 its sides are nearly straight ; its anterior and posterior surfaces are 

 both somewhat convex, but the latter more so than the former. At the 

 points of union of the sides with the rounded superior border are two 

 projecting angles, with which the Fallopian tubes are connected, the 

 round ligaments being attached a little before, and the ovarian liga- 

 ments beliind and beneath them ; these three parts are all included 

 within the peritoneal duplicature of the broad ligaments. The nccl:, or 

 cervix uteri, narrower and more rounded than the rest of the organ, is 

 nearly an inch in length ; it is continuous above with the body, 

 and, becoming somewhat smaller towards its lower extremity projects 

 into the upper end of the tube of the vagina, which is united all 

 round with the substance of the uterus, but extends upwards to a 



Fiir. 330. 



-fli »t 



,^-., I ' 





14^ 



A%^_ ^ 



'NS,,i', '■■■r-r ■ ■« 



Fig. 330. — Posterior View of the Uterus and its Appendages. 



The cavity of the ixterus has been opened by the removal of the posterior wall, and 

 the upper part of the vagina has been laid opea ; a, fundus ; b, body ; c, cervix ; d, 

 anterior lii3 of the os uteri externum ; c, the interior of the vagina ; /, section of the 

 •walls of the uterus ; i, opening of the Fallopian tube ; o, ovary ; ^j, ligament of the 

 ovary ; r, broad ligament ; s, Fallopian tube, t, its fimbriated extremity. 



greater distance behind than in front. The projecting portion of the 

 uterus is sometimes named the vaginal part. The lower end of the 

 uterus presents a transverse aperture, by which its cavity opens into the 

 vagina ; this is named variously os uteri, os uteri externum, and (from a 

 supposed likeness to the mouth of the tench fish) os tincce. It is 

 bounded by two thick lips, the posterior of which is the thinner and 



