638 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY 



attached, on either side, to the inner margin of the ischio-pubic 

 ramus, and in the middle Hne it is almost completely divided into 

 two parts by the vagina. The anterior part passes transversely 

 across the subpubic arch in front of the urethra, whilst the posterior 

 and larger part passes inwards, partly transversely and partly 

 obliquely, to blend with the vaginal wall. 



The external sphincter and superficial transverse perineal 

 muscles are similar to those in the male. 



Internal Pudic Artery. — ^This vessel is of smaller size than in the 

 male, but it takes a similar course. The difference, therefore, in the 

 two sexes affects chiefly the branches of the artery. 



The superficial perineal artery is larger than in the male, and is 

 distributed to the labium majus. 



The artery of the bulb is of comparatively small size, and is 

 distributed to the bulbus vestibuli. 



The artery of the corpus cavernosum clitoridis, having pierced 

 the antero-inferior layer of the triangular ligament, enters the 

 crus clitoridis, and is then continued onwards in the centre of 

 the corpus cavernosum. 



The dorsal artery of the clitoris, like the preceding, is compara- 

 tively small in size. Having pierced the antero-inferior layer 

 of the triangular ligament, it passes between the crura clitoridis, 

 and also between the two layers of the suspensory ligament of the 

 clitoris. It is then continued along the dorsum of that organ as far 

 as the glans, having the dorsal vein of the clitoris on its inner side, 

 and the dorsal nerve of the clitoris on its outer side. On reaching 

 the glans, it divides into branches for the supply of the glans and 

 its prepuce. As it passes along the dorsum of the clitoris it gives off 

 several branches, which enter the corpus cavernosum by piercing 

 its fibrous sheath. 



The veins of the female perineum are so similar to those in the 

 male as not to require any special description. An exception, 

 however, has to be made in the case of the dorsal vein of the 

 clitoris. This vein is formed by branches which return the blood 

 from the glans and prepuce, and also to a certain extent from the 

 corpora cavernosa. It passes backwards in the groove between 

 the corpora cavernosa, where it has on either side of it the dorsal 

 artery, and external to this the dorsal nerve, of the clitoris. In this 

 part of its course it receives tributaries from the corpora cavernosa. 

 On reaching the root of the organ it passes between the two layers 

 of the suspensory ligament of the clitoris, and then between the 

 subpubic and transverse pelvic or perineal ligaments, and so it 

 enters the pelvic cavity, where it terminates in the plexus of veins 

 at the neck of the bladder. 



Lymphatics. — The lymphatics of the labia majora, the super- 

 ficial lymphatics of the clitoris, including those of its glans, and 

 the lymphatics of the lower third of the vagina and of the urethra 

 terminate in the inguinal glands, which lie immediately below 

 Poupart's ligament. The lymphatics of the upper two-thirds of 



