666 THE UTERUS. 



turn, in the cavity of the pelvis. Its form is triangular or 

 pyriform. Its size varies ; the average dimensions being 

 about three inches in length, two in breadth at the supe- 

 rior portion, and one inch in thickness, in the uniinpregna- 

 ted state. Its divisions are into ihefundus, body, and neck. 



Thefundus is the superior portion between the Fallopian 

 tubes ; the neck is the inferior, cylindrical, and constricted 

 part ; while the intermediate portion constitutes the body. 



The direction of the uterus is downward and backward, 

 corresponding to the axis of the superior strait, and forms 

 an angle with the vagina which runs forward and down- 

 ward, in the axis of the lower strait. 



The uterus has its anterior surface flattened and covered 

 in its upper half by peritoneum, which is reflected upon 

 the bladder, forming the anterior or vesico-uterine liga- 

 ment. The posterior surface is convex, being entirely 

 covered by peritoneum, which is reflected upon the rectum, 

 forming the posterior or recto-uterine ligaments. The sides 

 have the broad, round, ovarian ligaments, and the Fallo- 

 pian tubes attached to them. 



The broad ligaments are two folds of the peritoneum, ex- 

 tending from the uterus to the sides of the pelvis, and thus 

 dividing the cavity of the latter by a transverse septum, 

 separating the bladder from the rectum. The round liga- 

 ments are situated in front and below the Fallopian tubes, 

 in the anterior fold of the broad ligaments. They ascend 

 to the internal ring, through which they pass, being sur- 

 rounded at this point by a sheath from the peritoneum, 

 called the canal of Nuck ; thence they descend the inguinal 

 canal, and pass out the external ring to be lost in the mons 

 veneris. These ligaments consist of condensed cellular or 

 fibrous tissue, with numerous blood-vessels and nerves from 

 the spermatic plexus ; muscular fibres have also been seen 

 entering into their composition. Their function is to retain 

 the uterus in its natural position. 



The ovarian ligaments, about two inches in length, extend 

 from the superior and lateral angles of the uterus, below 

 and behind the Fallopian tubes, within the posterior fold 



