636 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY 



lower surface of the genital eminence, and (2) the internal genital 

 folds. The spongy part of the urethra is therefore penile. 



The bulb of the corpus spongiosum penis represents the bulbi 

 vestibuli of the female, and the portion of the corpus spongiosum 

 penis between the bulb and the glans penis represents the pars 

 intermedia of Kobelt in the female. 



Metamorphoses of the Structures concerned in the Development of 

 the External Genital Organs. 



Structures. Female. Male. 



Genital eminence. Clitoris. Corpora cavernosa penis 



and glans penis. 



Internal genital folds. Labia minora and bulbi Corpus spongiosum and 



vestibuli. spongy uretlira. 



External genital folds. Labia majora. Scrotum. 



Uro-genital sinus. Bladder, urethra, vesti- Bladder, prostate gland, 



bule, and glands of prostatic and mem- 



Bartholin. branous urethra, and 



glands of Cowper. 



Perineum Proper. 



The perineum proper is the region which lies between the anus 

 and the posterior commissure, and it presents a raphe in the 

 middle line. It is in this division that the perineal body is situated, 

 as well as the central tendinous point. The latter, being similar 

 to that of the male, requires no special description. 



Perineal Body. — ^This body is peculiar to the female perineum. 

 It is situated between the anus and the posterior commissure, and 

 it may be regarded as a deep expansion of the central tendinous 

 point. It is triangular, and is about i^ inches in breadth. It 

 is bounded in front by the posterior wall of the vagina, behind 

 by the anterior wall of the anal canal, and inferiorly by the integu- 

 ment. The perineal body is produced by a thickening of connective 

 tissue, with a free admixture of elastic tissue, and a few muscular 

 fibres derived from the external sphincter, levatores ani, and 

 sphincter vaginae muscles. It serves as a support to the posterior 

 wall of the vagina. During parturition it becomes greatly stretched, 

 but its elastic tissue usually guards it against rupture. 



Triangular Ligament. — The triangular ligament resembles that 

 of the male in being composed of two layers, antero-inferior and 

 postero-superior , 



The antero-inferior layer, on account of the greater width 

 of the subpubic arch in the female, is broader than in the male, 

 though it is more indefinite on account of its being pierced by 

 the vagina. It is attached at either side to the inner border of the 

 ischio-pubic ramus, and superiorly to the transverse pelvic or 

 perineal ligament. In the middle line, where it is pierced by the 

 vagina, it blends with the wall of that canal. Its base is joined by 

 a somewhat indefinite layer of fascia representing the fascia of 



