ANATOMY IN A NUTSHELL. 



toneal coat, a middle coat of smooth muscular fibers forming most of its thick- 

 ness, and an epithelial lining. 



The dimensions of the uterus are as follows: about three inches in length. 

 aboul two inches in breadth, and about an inch in thickness. The walls of the 

 uterus are about three-eighths of an inch in thickness. In women who have 

 borne children these dimensions are increased. 

 It weighs from seven to twelve drachm.-. 



The direction of the uterus is towards the umbilicus, slightly to the right 

 ant I forms an angle with the vagina close to ninety degrees, and as a rule the 

 left superior angle is a little further forward than the right. The position of the 

 uterus is changed when the bladder is full or when the rectum is full. In dis- 

 eased conditions it may be axtkflexed (an abnormal forward curvature); a 

 form of displacement in which the upper part of the organ is bent forward, or 

 we may have ax ANTEVERSION (a forward tipping or tilting of the organ); a 

 displacement in which the organ is tipped forward but not bent at an angle as 

 anteflexion). It may be retroplexed (bent backward), or there may be a 

 retroversion (the tipping of the entired organ backward). 



The fundus of the uterus is broad and convex and is covered with peri- 

 toneum. 



The body is flat anteriorly, convex posteriorly, and concave laterally. It 

 is joined to the bladder by its lower anterior fourth. The posterior surface of 

 the body is entirely covered with peritoneum, while in front the peritoneum 

 covers its upper three-fourths. 



The cervix is the lower constricted portion and is embraced by the upper 

 extremity of the vagina. 



The cavity of the body is triangular and flattened from before backward. 

 This cavity has too lateral cornua above, and a constricted opening (internal 



■ its lower angle. 



The cavity of the cervix is spindle-shaped ami has on its anterior and pos- 

 terior walls longitudinal folds called arbor vitse. 



The external os is a transverse orifice at the lower end of the cavity of the 

 cervix and opens into the vagina. It has an anterior lip and a posterior lip. 



'I'm. LIGAMENTS OF THE UTERUS ARE EIGHT IX NUMBER. 



1. The anterior ligament (vesico-uterine) is a reflexion of the peritoneum 

 from the front of the uterus on to the bladder. 



2. The posterior ligament (recto-uterine) passes from the posterior wall of 

 the uterus and over the upper one-fourth of the vagina and then to the rectum 

 and sacrum, thus forming the pouch of Douglas which is behind the upper 

 portion of the vagina. 



'■'> and 1. The two lateral or broad ligaments are folds of peritoneum which 

 pass From the sides of the uterus to the lateral wall.- of the pelvis, and thus form 

 :i septum across the pelvic cavity. The broad ligaments contain the Fallopian 

 tubes, the round ligaments, the ovaries, the parovaria (organs of Rosenmuller). 

 blood vessels and nerves, as well as connective tissue and unstriped muscle 

 fibers. 



5 and 6. The two sacro-uterine ligaments are folds of peritoneum which 



