THE UTERUS. 2 TO 



The Uterus. The form, situation, and relations of the 

 uterus and Fallopian tubes have already been indicated, 1 and 

 are shown in Fig. 24. 



The uterus is a pear-shaped body, somewhat flattened an- 

 tero-posteriorly, presenting a fundus, a body, and a neck. 

 At its lower extremity, is an opening into the vagina, called 

 the os extemum. At the upper portion of the neck, is a con- 

 striction, which indicates the situation of the os internum. 



FIG. 27. 



Virgin uterus, completely isolated. (Seen from behind, two-thirds of the natural size.) 1, 

 body; 2, neck; 3, 8, extremities of the Fallopian tubes; 4, os externutn; 5, posterior, 6, an- 

 terior, lip of the vaginal portion. (LuscuKA, Anatomie des Menschen, Tubingen, 1864, Bd. 

 ii., S. 347.) 



Its form is shown in Fig. 27. It is usually about three inches 

 in length, two in breadth, at its widest portion, and one inch 

 in thickness. Its weight is from one and a half to two and a 

 half ounces. It is somewhat loosely held in place by the broad 

 and round ligaments and by the folds of the peritoneum in 

 front and behind. The delicate layer of peritoneum which 

 forms its external covering extends behind as far down as the 

 vagina, where it is reflected back upon the rectum, and ante- 

 riorly, a little below the upper extremity of the neck (os in- 

 ternum), where it is reflected upon the urinary bladder. At 



1 See page 267. 



