358 



THE GENITO- URINARY ORGANS. 



from here the lymph passes by way of lymph ^vessels to the mus- 

 cular coat, between the bundles of which are found numerous 

 lymph-vessels especially in the middle or vascular layer. These 

 lymph-vessels terminate in larger vessels found in the subserous 

 connective tissue. 



The uterus receives numerous medullated and nonmedullated 

 nerves. The latter terminate in the muscular layers. Medullated 

 fibers have been traced into the mucosa, where they form plexuses 

 under the epithelium, from which branches have been traced 

 between the epithelial cells and between the gland cells. In the 

 course of the nerves ganglion cells of the sympathetic type have 

 been observed. 



Fig. 286. From section of human vagina. 



In the vagina we distinguish also three coats the mucous 

 membrane, the muscular layer, and the outer fibrous covering. 



The epithelium of the mucous membrane is of the stratified 

 squamous type, and possesses, as usual, a basal layer of cylindric 

 cells. The mucosa of the vagina consists of numerous connective- 

 tissue fibers mingled with a number of exceptionally coarse elastic 

 fibers. Papillae containing blood-vessels are present everywhere ex- 

 cept in the depressions between the columnar rugarum. It is generally 

 stated that the vagina has no glands, but according to the observa- 

 tions of von Preuschen and C. Ruge, a few isolated glands occur in 



