ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION. 



835 



FIG. 210. 



The cavity of the uterus is somewhat triangular in shape, and very much 

 flattened antero-posteriorly. The inferior angle of the cavity is continuous 

 with the canal running through the cervix to the 

 vagina. The superior angles are called the cornua ; 

 at the bottom of each is an orifice of a Fallopian 

 tube. The uterus is composed of three coats; a 

 serous (formed by the peritoneum), a muscular, and 

 a mucous coat. The mucous coat is continuous with 

 that lining the Fallopian tubes and vagina. It is 

 covered with columnar ciliated epithelium, and, if 

 examined with a lens, the openings of the mucous 

 follicles will be seen to be very profusely distributed 

 over the surface. If a vertical section is made, as 

 in Fig. 210, the tubules will be seen to be arranged 

 perpendicularly to the surface, having a wavy 

 course. In the impregnated uterus they become 

 much swollen and enlarged. The mucous mem- 

 brane lining the cervix, on account of its peculiar 

 appearance, is called the arbor vitce uterinus. 



The Fallopian tubes (Fig. 209) are about four 

 inches in length, and extend from the cornua of the 

 uterus to the ovaries, where they end in enlarged 

 expanded extremities, the margins of which are 

 covered by long, slender processes, one of them 

 being connected to the ovary. This portion of the 

 tube is called the fimbriated extremity. The tubes 

 are composed of a serous, muscular, and mucous 

 layer. The mucous membrane is covered with 

 ciliated columnar epithelium. 



The ovaries (Fig. 209) are flattened, ovoidal 

 bodies, which are situated one on each side of the 

 uterus, and enclosed in the folds of the broad liga- 

 ments. They are each connected with the uterus 

 by a ligament, and with the Fallopian tube by one 

 of its fimbrise. They each consist of a fibrous coat 

 (tunica albuginea~] which encloses the stroma of the organ. (Fig. 211.) The 

 stroma is composed of a soft, vascular fibrous tissue, having imbedded in it a 

 number of small bodies, called Graafian vesicles, which are in divers stages 

 of development. These vesicles commence their development in the deeper 

 portions of the ovary, and as they approach maturity gradually make their 

 way to the surface, where they project as prominences, and, their capsule 

 finally rupturing, discharge their contents into the Fallopian tube. Each 

 vesicle consists of an external coat formed by the ovary, an internal coat or 

 capsule, and within this a layer of cells, which constitutes the membrana 

 granulosa. The interior of the vesicle consists of an albuminous fluid, in 

 which is suspended the ovule. 



777. The male generative organs. The same physiological interest is 

 not centred in the male organs of generation as in those of the female, 

 the principal interest being concentrated upon the organs which secrete the 

 male fluid by which the ovule is impregnated. Our remarks will, therefore, 

 be almost entirely confined to the organs concerned in the secretion of this 

 fluid. 



The male organs comprise the penis, or organ of copulation, the pros- 

 tate and Cowper's glands, the testicles, and vasa deferentia and vesiculse 

 seminales. 



Section of the Lining 

 Membrane of a Human 

 Uterus at the Period of Com- 

 mencing Pregnancy, show- 

 ing the arrangements and 

 other peculiarities of the 

 glands, d, d, d, with their ori- 

 fices, a, a, a, on the internal 

 surface of the organ. Twice 

 the natural size. 



