628 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY 



membranous part of the urethra; (lo) the postero-superior layer of the 

 triangular ligament; (ii) the anterior fibres of the levator ani muscle.; 

 (12) a portion of the left lateral lobe of the prostate gland, with its capsule, 

 and some of the veins of the prostatic plexus ; and (13) the neck of the bladder. 

 Structures to be avoided. — The structures to be avoided are as follows : ( i ) 

 the rectum; (2) the internal pudic vessels as they lie in Alcock's canal; (3) 

 the artery of the bulb ; and (4) the common ejaculatory duct 



FEMALE PERINEUM. 



The female perineum is divided into three regions^ — uro-genital, 

 perineum proper, and ischio-rectal. The uro-genital division is 

 situated at the anterior part, and comprises the pudendum and uro- 

 genital cleft. The perineum proper is situated between the posterior 

 part of the uro-genital cleft and the anus. The ischio-rectal division 

 is situated as in the male. 



Uro-genital Division. 



The uro-genital division contains the external uro-genital organs. 

 These collectively constitute the pudendum, and comprise the 

 following parts : the mons Veneris ; labia majora ; labia minora, or 

 nymphse ; clitoris ; vestibule ; meatus urinarius ; vaginal orifice, 

 including the hymen, or the carunculae myrtiformes ; frgenulum 

 pudendi ; fossa navicularis ; bulbi vestibuli ; and glands of Bar- 

 tholin or of Duverney. 



The mons Veneris is an eminence situated in front of and above 

 the upper part of the symphysis pubis. It is produced by a col- 

 lection of adipose tissue, the skin over which is more or less freely 

 provided with hair after the age of puberty. 



The labia majora are two thick, round folds of integument, which 

 are directed from before backwards, with a slight inclination down- 

 wards. The length of each is about 3 inches. Posteriorly they 

 become thin, and join each other at the anterior part of the 

 perineum proper, about i inch in front of the anus. The junction 

 receives the name of the posterior commissure, and is somewhat 

 pointed. Anteriorly they retain their thick, round character, and 

 here also they join and become continuous with the mons Veneris. 

 This latter junction is called the anterior commissure. Each labium 

 majus has two surfaces, outer and inner. The skin covering the 

 outer convex surface is somewhat dark in colour, like that of the 

 scrotum, and contains numerous sebaceous glands of large size. 

 It is also more or less freely provided with hair after the age of 

 puberty, except towards the posterior part. The inner flat surface 

 forms the lateral boundary of the uro-genital cleft, and touches that 

 of the opposite side. The skin covering this surface is smooth and 

 free from hair, and presents the openings of the ducts of sebaceous 

 glands. Each labium majus contains adipose and areolar tissues, 

 and a small amount of dartos tissue. The round ligament of the 



