THE VAGINA, 111 



the last at its anterior portion, and give a roughness to that part 

 of the vagina. The inferior side, or that next to the rectum, 

 has the same kind of arrangement of the mucous membrane, but 

 not so distinct. In a majority of subjects, the uteri ne'Jialf of 

 the vagina is perfectly smooth^ but the rule does not always 

 hold. 



The Corpus Spongiosum Vaginae is an erectile tissue, like that 

 of the penis, and closely resembles in structure the corpus 

 spongiosum urethras. It is placed at the anterior end of the va- 

 gina, on its outer circumference, just below the clitoris, and at 

 the base of the labia minora or interna. It is an inch broad, 

 and a line or two thick, adheres closely to the fibrous coat of the 

 vagina, and extends around the superior semi-circumference of 

 the orifice, but not around the anterior. It is frequently called 

 Plexus Retiformis. 



The Sphincter Vaginae Muscle surrounds the anterior orifice 

 of the vagina, and covers the plexus retiforrnis. It is about an 

 inch and a quarter wide, and arising from the body of the cli- 

 toris and the crus of the pubis, behind the crus of the clitoris, 

 passes backwards and downwards to be inserted into the dense, 

 white substance, in the centre of the perineum, common to these 

 muscles^ the tranversi perinei and the anterior point of the 

 sphincter ani. There is a strong analogy between it and the 

 accelerator urinae of the male. 



The Transversus Perinei of the female, has the same circum- 

 stances of origin -and insertion as in the male, but is not quite so 

 strong. 



On each side of the orifice of the vagina, near its middle, is 

 frequently found a mucous gland, the size of a garden pea : it 

 corresponds with Couper's gland of the male subject. 



The Hymen,* one of the attributes of the virgin state, is 

 placed at the anterior orifice of the vagina for the purpose of 

 closing it, and commonly remains until it is ruptured by vio- 

 lence. In all cases, except where there is an unnatural adhe- 



* J. G. Tolber, Diss. de Variet. Hymen. Haller, Icon. Anat. Fasc. i. Albin. 

 Acad. Annot. Lib. iv. Santorini, Septemd. Tab. 



