662 THE VULVA. 



The term vulva is applied, by some anatomists, to all 

 these parts; while others restrict this term simply to 

 the fissure or urino-sexual opening between the labia 

 major a. 



The mons veneris is the prominence situated on the front 

 and upper part of the pubis. It is composed chiefly of cel- 

 lular tissue, abounding with adipose matter, and, in the 

 adult, is covered with hair. 



The labia majora, or externa, are two longitudinal folds 

 of integument, situated upon either side, and extending 

 from the rnons veneris in front, to their common junction 

 behind, in a crescentic edge or commissure called the four- 

 chette. Between this latter and the vagina a depression is 

 observed, termed the fossa navicularis. 



Between the fourchette and the anus, a distance of about 

 an inch, is the perineum. The labia, like the mons veneris, 

 consist of loose cellular tissue and fatty matter, and consti- 

 tute the anterior boundary of the sexual organs. The 

 external surface is covered with hair, the internal is a 

 mucous membrane, covered with a smooth, delicate epi- 

 thelium, and containing numerous sebaceous follicles. The 

 use of these labia seems to be, to favor the expulsion of the 

 child, as during parturition they are found completely 

 unfolded. 



The labia minora, or interna, called also nymplice, are 

 situated within the greater labia, and consist of two smaller 

 folds of mucous membrane, which descend and are lost 

 upon each side of the vaginal orifice. They are also cov- 

 ered by a fine epithelium, have many sebaceous follicles, 

 and enclose an erectile tissue. They are broad before, 

 narrow behind, proportionally more developed than the 

 greater labia in the infant, and sometimes found very 

 much enlarged and elongated from hypertrophy. In par- 

 turition they are also unfolded, and disappear. 



The clitoris is situated directly below the symphysis pubis, 

 and is compared to the male penis. It presents a small red 

 prominence, constituting a body, which is formed by the 

 union of the crura, arising from the rarni of the pubis and 



