UNIMPREGNATED UTERUS. 189 



Vagina, and are occasionally distended with blood, like the 

 clitoris and penis. 



These corpora cavernosa are covered by muscular fibres, 

 which pass over them on each side from the sphincter ani to 

 the body of the clitoris ; to each of which organs they are 

 attached. These fibres constitute the sphincter vagina muscle, 

 and contract the diameter of the vagina at the place where 

 they are situated.* 



The transversus perinei muscles also exist in the female. 

 They pass from the tuberosities of the ischia, and are inserted 

 into a dense whitish substance in the perineum, to which the 

 anterior extremity of the sphincter ani is likewise attached. 



The vagina is in contact with the rectum behind ; the 

 bladder lies upon it and anterior to it. A small portion of 

 peritoneum, to be reflected to the rectum, is continued from the 

 uterus upon the posterior part of it. The lateral portions of 

 it are invested with cellular substance. The anterior extremity 

 of the uterus, which is called the Os Tincae, projects into it 

 from above. 



Of the Uterus, the Ovaries and their Appendages. 



The Uterus has been compared to a pear with a long neck. 

 There is, of course, a considerable difference between the 

 body and neck ; the first being twice as broad as the last. 

 Each of these parts is somewhat flattened. 



In subjects of mature age, who have never been pregnant, 

 the whole of the uterus is about two inches and a half in 

 length, and more than one inch and a half in breadth at the 

 broadest part of the body : it is also near an inch in thickness. 



It is generally larger than this in women who have lately 

 had children. 



The uterus is situated in the pelvis between the bladder and 

 rectum, and is enclosed in a duplicature or fold of the perito- 

 neum, which forms a loose septum that extends from one side 



* These two muscular bands, which when conjoined together form the sphinc- 

 ter vaginas, have a similar origin and insertioQ and correspond with the accele- 

 ratore urins muscles of the male. — p. 



