812 FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



mity, forming the anterior and posterior commissures. The interval left between 

 the posterior commissure and the margin of the anus is about an inch in length, 

 and constitutes the perineum. Just within the posterior commissure is a small 

 transverse fold, the freenulum pudendi or fourchette, which is commonly ruptured 

 in the first parturition, and the space between it and the commissure is called 

 the fossa navicularis. The labia are analogous to the scrotum in the male. 



The labia minora or nymphse are two small folds of mucous membrane, situ- 

 ated within the labia majora, extending from the clitoris obliquely downwards 

 and outwards for about an inch and a half on each side of the orifice of the 

 vagina, on the sides of which they are lost. They are continuous externally 

 with the labia majora, internally with the inner surface of the vagina. As they 

 converge towards the clitoris in front, each labium divides into two folds, which 

 surround the glans clitoridis, the superior folds uniting to form the pr^eputium 

 clitoridis, the inferior folds being attached to the glans, and forming the fraenum. 

 The nymphas are composed of mucous membrane, covered by a thin epithelial 

 layer. They contain a plexus of vessels in their interior, and are provided with 

 numerous large mucous crypts which secrete abundance of sebaceous matter. 



The clitoris is an erectile structure, analogous to the corpora cavernosa of the 

 penis. It is situated beneath the anterior commissure, partly hidden between 

 the anterior extremities of the labia minora. It is an elongated organ, con- 

 nected to the rami of the pubes and ischia on each side by two crura ; the body 

 is short, and concealed beneath the labia ; the free extremity, or glans clitoridis, 

 is a small rounded tubercle, consisting of spongy erectile tissue, and highly 

 sensitive. The clitoris consists of two corpora cavernosa, composed of erectile 

 tissue inclosed in a dense layer of fibrous membrane, united together along their 

 inner surfaces by an incomplete fibrous pectiniform septum. It is provided, 

 like the penis, with a suspensory ligament, and with two small muscles, the 

 Erectores Clitoridis, which are inserted into the crura of the corpora cavernosa. 



Between the clitoris, and the entrance of the vagina, is a triangular smooth 

 surface, bounded on each side by the nymphas : this is the vestibule. 



The orifice of the urethra (meatus urinariwi) is situated at the back part of 

 the vestibule, about an inch below the clitoris, and near the margin of the 

 vagina, surrounded by a prominent elevation of the mucous membrane. Below 

 the meatus urinarius, is the orifice of the vagina, an elliptical aperture, more 

 or less closed in the virgin, by a membranous fold, the hymen. 



The hymen is a thin semilunar fold of mucous membrane, stretched across the 

 lower part of the orifice of the vagina ; its concave margin being turned up- 

 wards towards the pubes. Sometimes this membrane forms a complete septum 

 across the orifice of the vagina: a condition known as imperforate hymen. 

 Occasionally, it forms a circular septum, perforated in the centre by a round 

 opening ; sometimes it is cribriform, or its free margin forms a membranous 

 fringe, or it may be entirely absent. It may also persist after copulation. The 

 hymen cannot, consequently, be considered as a test of virginity. Its rupture, 

 or the rudimentary condition of the membrane above referred to, gives rise to 

 those small rounded elevations which surround the opening of the vagina, the 

 carunculse myrtiformes. 



Glands of Bartholine. On each side of the commencement of the vagina is a 

 round or oblong body, of a reddish-yellow color, and of the size of a horse-bean, 

 analogous to Cowper's gland in the male. It is called the gland of Bartholine. 

 Each gland opens by means of a long single duct, upon the inner side of the 

 nymphse, external to the hymen. Extending from the clitoris, along either 

 side of the vestibule, and lying a little behind the nymphee, are two large oblong 

 masses, about an inch in length, consisting of a plexus of veins, inclosed in a 

 thin layer of fibrous membrane. These bodies are narrow in front, rounded 

 below, and are connected with the crura of the clitoris and rami of the pubes, 

 they are termed by Kobelt the lulbi vestibuli ; and he considers them analogous 

 to the bulb of the corpus spongiosurn in the male. Immediately in front of these 



