36 THE METHOD OF MAKING POST-MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. 



but the body remains small in proportion to the cervix. At puberty, the 

 shape changes, and the body becomes larger. 



The Ovaries are flattened, ovoidal bodies, situated one on each side, 

 and lying nearly horizontally at the back of the broad ligament of the 

 uterus. Their size is variable, and they are usually largest in the virgin 

 state. They measure about 3.8 cm. in length, 1.9 cm. in breadth, and 

 nearly 1.3 cm. in thickness. Their average weight is from 3.9 to 6.5 

 grams. The sides of the ovary and its posterior border are free ; it is 

 attached along the anterior border ; to its end is attached the ovarian 

 ligament ; to its outer extremity one of the fimbriae of the Fallopian tube. 

 The ovary is covered 011 its free surface by cylindrical epithelium, and 

 its surface is less glistening than the general peritoneum. The surface 

 of the ovary is smooth in the young, but become rougher and depressed 

 in spots as the process of ovulation goes on. In adult females we 

 usually find corpora lutea in their various stages. We should seek for 

 evidences of acute and chronic inflammation, for tumors and cysts. 



The Fallopian Tubes, lying in the upper margin of the broad liga- 

 ments, are from 7.6 to 10 cm. in length. The length often differs con- 

 siderably on the two sides. They commence at the upper angles of the 

 uterus as small perforated cords, which become larger further outward 

 and bend backward and downward toward the ovary. They terminate 

 in an expanded fimbriated extremity about 2.5 cm. beyond the ovary. 

 They are covered by peritoneum, and the mucous membrane lining them, 

 continuous with that of the uterus, is thrown into longitudinal folds. 

 Malpositions by adhesions, closure, inflammations, and cysts are the 

 more common lesions. The possibility of tubal pregnancy should be 

 borne in mind. 



PRESERVATION. All of these organs and their tumors may be hardened in Orth's 

 fluid, or in Flemming's osmic-acid mixture. The vagina should be stretched flat on cork, 

 and the cavity of the uterus laid wide open. Great care should be taken not to touch 

 either the internal surface of the uterus or the external surfaces of the ovaries, since 

 in both the epithelium is very easily rubbed off. 



It is better, after opening them by a transverse incision, to suspend the ovaries by 

 a thread in a jar of the preservative fluid than to let them lie on the bottom, since the 

 epithelium is thus less likely to be rubbed off. Larger cysts of the ovary for exhibition 

 purposes should be distended with preservative fluid (see page 61). 



The Closure of the Body after the Post-Mortem 

 Examination. 



At the end of the autopsy the body should be restored as nearly as 

 possible to its natural external appearance. 



Fluids should be removed, vacant spaces filled with absorbent mate- 

 rial, such as cotton, jute, or sawdust, and the incisions closed by sutures. 



