THE UTERUS. 



771 



vascular tunica propria is lined by cells of epithelium, forming the so-called 

 membrana granulosa. At a certain point in this membrane, is a mass of 

 cells, called the discus or cumulus proligerus, in which the ovum is embedded. 

 The situation of the discus proligerus is not invariable ; sometimes it is at 

 the most superficial, and sometimes it is at the deepest part of the Graafian 

 follicle. 



The liquid of the Graafian follicle is alkaline, slightly yellowish and not 

 viscid. It contains a small quantity of albuminoid matter, coagulable by heat, 

 alcohol and acids. This liquid is supposed to be secreted by the cells lining 

 the inner membrane of the follicle. 



The Parovarium. The parovarium, or organ of Rosenmuller, is simply 

 the remains of the Wolffian body, lying in the folds of the broad ligament, 

 between the ovary and the Fallopian tube. It consists of twelve to fifteen 

 tubes of fibrous tissue, lined by ciliated epithelium. It has no physiological 

 importance. 



The Uterus. The form, situation and relations of the uterus and Fallo- 

 pian tubes have already been indicated and are shown in Fig. 275. 



The uterus is a pear-shaped body, somewhat flattened antero-posteriorly, 

 presenting a fundus, a body and a neck. At its lower extremity, is an open- 



FIG. 277. Virgin uterus. A. anterior view. B. median section. C. transverse section (Sappey). 



A. 1, body ; 2, 2, angles ; 3, cervix ; 4, site of the os internum ; 5, vaginal portion of the cervix ; 6, ex- 

 ternal os ; 7, 7, vagina. 



B. 1, 1, profile of the anterior surface ; 2, vesico-uterine cul-de-sac : 3. 3. profile of the posterior surface; 



4, body ; 5, neck ; 6, isthmus : 7, cavity of the body ; 8. cavity of the cervix ; 9, os internum ; 10, 

 anterior lip of the os externum ; 11, posterior lip ; 12, 12, vagina. 



C. 1, cavity of the body ; 2, lateral wall ; 3, superior wall ; 4, 4, cornua ; 5, os internum ; 6, cavity of the 



cervix ; 7, arbor vitae of the cervix ; 8, os externum ; 9, 9, vagina. 



ing into the vagina, called the os externum. At the upper portion of the 

 neck, is a constriction, which indicates the situation of the os internum. The 

 form of the uterus is shown in Fig. 277 (A). It usually is about three inches 

 (76-2 mm.) in length, two inches (50-8 mm.) in breadth at its widest portion, 

 and one inch (25-4 mm.) in thickness. Its weight is one and a half to two 

 and a half ounces (42-5 to 71 grammes). It is somewhat loosely held in place 



