858 GENERATION. 



are essential to a comprehension of the situation and relations of the ovaries and Fallo- 

 pian tubes. 



The uterus is held in place by ligaments, certain of which are formed of folds of the 

 peritoneum. The anterior ligament is reflected from the anterior surface to the bladder ; 

 the posterior ligament extends from the posterior surface to the rectum ; the round liga- 

 ments extend from the upper angle of the uterus, on either side, between the folds of the 

 broad ligament and through the inguinal canal, to the symphysis pubis ; the broad liga- 

 ments, which extend from the sides of the uterus to the walls of the pelvis, are the most 

 interesting of all, as they lodge the ovaries and the Fallopian tubes. 



If we imagine the uterus, occupying, as it does, the upper part of the pelvis, and 

 remember its angle of inclination, it is evident that it, with the broad ligaments, must 

 partially divide the pelvis into two portions ; and these ligaments, which are formed of 

 a double fold of peritoneum, present a superior, or posterior surface, and an inferior, or 

 anterior surface. The superior, or anterior border of this fold is occupied by the Fallopian 

 tubes, the peritoneum constituting their outer coat. Laterally, at the free extremities of 

 the tubes, the peritoneum ceases, and there is an actual opening of each Fallopian tube 

 into the peritoneal cavity. Attached to the broad ligament and projecting upon its pos- 

 terior surface, is the ovary. This little, almond-shaped body is connected with the fibrous 

 tissue between the two layers of the ligament, and has no proper peritoneal investment ; 

 so that it is actually within the peritoneal cavity. If we look at the ovary from the 

 front, we simply see the rounded prominence which marks the point of its attachment to 

 the broad ligament ; but, if we look from behind, the projecting surface is seen, and we 



FIG. 270. Uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries ; posterior view. (Sappey.) 



1, ovaries; 2,2, Fallopian tubes ; 3, 3, ftmbriated extremity of the left Fallopian tube seen from its concavity; 4, 

 opening of the left tube ; 5, fimbriated extremity of the right tube, posterior view ; 6, 6, fimbriae which attach 

 the extremity of each tube to the ovary ; 7, 7, ligaments of the ovary ; 8, 8, 9, 9, broad ligaments ; 10, uterus ; 11, 

 cervix uteri ; 12, os uteri ; 13, 13, 14, vagina. 



have a distinct ring of demarcation at the base, which indicates where the tessellated, 

 serous epithelium ceases, and where the proper columnar epithelium of the ovary begins. 

 If a vesicle should rupture upon the surface of the ovary, its contents might thus be 

 taken up by the Fallopian tube and be carried to the uterus. Each ovary is attached to 

 the uterus by a ligament, lying just beneath the peritoneum, called the ligament of the 

 ovary. This ligament is composed of non-striated muscular fibres. Between the folds 

 of the broad ligament, are the following structures: the round ligament of the uterus, 

 blood-vessels, nerves, and a thin layer of non-striated muscular fibres, continuous with 

 the superficial muscular fibres of the uterus. 



