VENA CAVA INFERIOR. 265 



internal pudic vein which go to the perineum, to the posterior 

 part of the scrotum, and to the integuments of the under part 

 of the penis. The trunk formed by the assembling of these 

 several ramifications, follows the course of the internal -pudic 

 artery to which it belongs, and gets into the pelvis at the lower 

 part of the sciatic foramen, where it contributes to the forma- 

 tion of the hypogastric vein. 



The Plexus Uterinus consists in a considerable number of 

 veins, which are distributed upon the surface, and in the tex- 

 ture of the uterus; they are also found in abundance in the 

 broad ligaments, where they anastomose with the ovarian 

 veins. 



The Plexus Vaginalis comes from the anterior parts of the 

 organs of generation constituting the vulva, as the labia ma- 

 jora, minora, and so on. It also arises from the whole surface 

 of the vagina, surrounds it completely, and anastomoses with 

 the uterine veins. 



The Gluteal, the Obturator, and the Ilio-Lumbar Veins, also 

 contribute to the Hypogastric; their description conforms so 

 nearly to that of the corresponding arteries, that it is unneces- 

 sary to detail it. 



The Primitive Iliac Vein, (Vena lliaca Primitiva, Commu- 

 nis,) formed by the junction of the External and of the Inter- 

 nal Iliacs, extends from the sacro-iliac symphysis to the lower 

 margin of the fourth lumbar x^ertebra, where it joins the cor- 

 responding trunk of the opposite side of the body, to form the 

 commencement of the ascending vena cava. In this course 

 the left one passes obliquely across the body of the fifth lumbar 

 vertebra, and beneath the right primitive iliac artery. 



The Vena Cava Inferior is situated on the front of the spinal 

 column, to its right side, and extends from the lower part of 

 the fourth lumbar vertebra; or, in other words, from the junc- 

 tion of the prknitive iliac veins to the under end of the right 

 auricle of the heart, into which it empties. It is larger than 

 the Descending Cava. 



In its ascent it inclines very gradually to the right side of 

 VOL. If. 24 



