114 FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



by the cavity of the neck communicates with that of the body 

 is not subject to such fluctuations in size : it is occasionally called 

 Orificium Internum Uteri, and is generally somewhat larger 

 than a small writing-quill. The os tineas is bounded before and 

 behind by the lips of the uterus, formed by the projection of 

 the neck into the vagina. For the mo&t part the anterior lip 

 is directly continuous with the anterior side of the vagina; so 

 that its projection is very inconsiderable, and, indeed, not ap- 

 preciable to the finger: at the same time, this lip is rather thicker 

 than the posterior. The projection of the latter, on the contrary, 

 is always well marked, because the vagina, instead of being 

 inserted into its ridge, is joined to the posterior surface of its 

 base. 



The cavity of the uterus is lined by a very thin mucous mem- 

 brane, a continuation of that of the vagina. This membrane is 

 of a light pink colour, which changes to a vermilion during the 

 period of menstruation; it is said to be furnished with villosi- 

 ties, which, though seen with difficulty in the usual way, may 

 be rendered apparent, by floating the uterus in water; and it ad- 

 heres so closely to the substance of the uterus, that it forms an 

 inseparable portion of it, which can neither be dissected nor ma- 

 cerated off entirely, as in the case of other mucous membranes. 



This membrane is smoothly laid upon the cavity of the body, 

 and gives it a polished shining surface. On the cavity of the 

 neck, it is wrinkled along the anterior and the posterior parts; 

 there being a longitudinal line running along the centre, and on 

 each side of this line transverse or oblique elevations or dupli- 

 catures. This arrangement presents an arborescent appearance, 

 technically called the arbor vitse. In the interstices of these 

 duplicatures there are some small mucous glands or lacunas, 

 which, as their orifices are exposed to obliteration from inflam- 

 mation or some other irritation, become distended into small 

 spherical sacs by the accumulation of their habitual secretion. 

 Naboth, from seeing them in this state, mistook them for eggs, 

 or the rudiments of the foetus, and the error has been comme- 

 morated by their being called Ovula Nabothi. 



The uterus is covered completely by the peritoneum ; in the 

 reflection of the latter,. from the rectum to the bladder, it ad- 



