340 OP THE GENITAL FUNCTION OF WOMAN. 



542. Across the opening of the vagina, the Hymen* 

 is extended, — a membrane generally circular, found, 

 as far as I know, in the human subject alone, and of 

 no physical use hitherto discovered. 



The remains of the lacerated hymen become the 

 caruncula myrtiformes, which are of no regular number, 

 and are infallible signs of the loss of virginity. (B) 



543. The vagina, ascending between the urinary 

 bladder and rectum, consists of a very vascular cel- 

 lular parenchyma, is surrounded inferiorly by the con- 

 strictor cunni,f and lined internally with a very soft 

 coat, which is marked by two columns of ruga, % — an 

 interior and posterior, § pouring forth a mucus into its 

 cavity. 



544. Upon the superior part of the vagina, rests the 

 uterus, suspended on either side by its broad liga- 

 ments. Its cylindrical cervix || is embraced by the 

 vagina, and perforated by a narrow canal, which, like 

 the vagina, is marked by rugae denominated the arbor 

 vitae, and is generally lined with a viscid mucus at 

 each extremity, but particularly at the superior. 



545. The substance of the uterus is peculiar, — a very 

 dense and compact parenchyma** abounding in blood- 



* John Wm. Tolberg, De Varie.tate Hymenum. Hal. 1791. 4to. Osiander, 

 1. c. tab. 1. — vij. 



t Eustachius, Tab. xiv. fig. i. xx. 



Santonin, Tab. Posth. xvij. 1.1. 



X Huber, De Vagina Uteri structura rugosa, necnon de Hymene. GoTTlNC. 

 1742. 4to. 



§ Vide Haller, Icones Anat. fasc. ij. tab. yj. fig. 1. 2. 



|| Roederer, Icones Uteri Humani. tab. vij. fig. 2. 3. 4. 



«* J. Gotter. Weisse (Prses. Rud. Boehmer) De Structura Uteri nan mus- 

 mlosa, sed celluloso vascutosa. Viteinb. I'M. Ho. 



I. G. Walter, Was Itf GeburtshSlfr. BerBn. 1808. 8vo. p. 5-4. 



