FEMALE PELVIS. 543 



The Vas deferens may be traced upwards in the course of the 

 seminal fluid, from the globus minor of thd^ididymis along the pos- 

 terior part of the spermatic cord, and along the spermatic canal to 

 the internal abdominal ring. From the ring it is reflected inwards to 

 the side of the fundus of the bladder, and descends along its posterior 

 surface, crossing the direction of the ureter, to the inner border of the 

 vesicula seminalis. In this situation it becomes somewhat larger in 

 size and convoluted, and terminates at the base of the prostate gland, 

 by uniting with the duct of the vesicula seminalis and constituting the 

 ejaculatory duct. The ejaculatory duct, which is thus formed by 

 the junction of the duct of the vesicula seminalis with the vas 

 deferens, passes forwards to the anterior extremity of the veru- 

 montanum, where it terminates by opening into the prostatic 

 urethra. 



FEMALE PELVIS. 



The peculiarities of the form of the female pelvis have already 

 been examined with the anatomy of the bones. Its lining bounda- 

 ries are the same with those of the male. The contents are, the 

 bladder, vagina, uterus with its appendages, and the rectum. Some 

 portion of the small intestines also occupy the upper part of its 

 cavity. 



The Bladder is in relation with the os pubis in front, with the 

 uterus behind, from which it is usually separated by a convolution 

 of small intestine, and with the neck of the uterus, and with the 

 vagina beneath. The form of the female bladder corresponds with 

 that of the pelvis, being broad from side to side, and often bulging 

 more on one side than on the other. This is particularly evident 

 after frequent parturition. The coats of the bladder are the same 

 as those of the male. 



The Urethra is about an inch and a half in length, and is lodged 

 in the upper wall of the vagina, in its course downwards and for- 

 wards, beneath the arch of the os pubis, to the meatus urinarius. 

 It is lined by mucous membrane, which is disposed in longitudinal 

 folds, and is continuous internally with that of the bladder, and ex- 

 ternally with the vulva ; the mucous membrane is surrounded by a 

 proper coat of elastic tissue, to which the muscular fibres of the 

 detrusor urina? are attached. It is to this tissue that is due the re- 

 markable dilatability of the female urethra, and its speedy return to 

 its original diameter. The meatus is encircled by a ring of fibrous 

 tissue, which prevents it from distending with the same facility as 

 the rest of the canal ; hence it is sometimes advantageous in per- 

 forming this operation to divide its margin slightly with the knife. 



Vagina. The Vagina is a membranous canal, leading from the 

 vulva to the uterus, and corresponding in direction with the axis of 

 the outlet of the pelvis. It is constricted at its commencement, but 

 near the uterus becomes considerably dilated ; and is closed by the 

 contact of the anterior with the posterior wall. Its length is very 



