200 GENERAL CHANGES IN THE UTERUS. 



substance which makes the rough surface of the vagina promi- 

 nent ; so that the urethra has been supposed, although errone- 

 ously, to be invested with the prostate. It is capable of great 

 artificial dilatation. Its diameter in the natural state is about a 

 quarter of an inch. • 



Of the Changes induced in the Uterus hi the progress of 

 Pregnancy. 



The alteration which takes place in the size of the uterus 

 during pregnancy is truly great. About the conclusion of that 

 period, instead of the small body above described, which is 

 almost solid, the uterus forms an immense sac, which extends 

 from the termination of the vagina in the pelvis, into the epi- 

 gastric region, and from one side of the abdomen to the other; 

 preserving, however, an ovoid figure. 



This change is so gradual at first, that the uterus does not 

 extend beyond the cavity of the pelvis before the third month, 

 although at the end of the seventh month it is very near the 

 epigastric region. 



For the first six months the body of the uterus appears prin- 

 cipally concerned in the enlargement : after this the cervix be- 

 gins to change, and is gradually altered so as to compose a 

 portion of the sac, of rather less thickness than the rest of the 

 uterus ; the mouth being ultimately an aperture in a part which 

 is much thinner than the other portions of the organ. ^ 



The change which takes place in the texture of some of the 

 appendages of the uterus is very important. 



The Broad Ligaments, which seem particularly calculated 

 to favor the extension of the uterus, are necessarily altered by 

 the change in the size of that organ, but not entirely done 

 away. The portion of peritoneum of which they are formed 

 must be very much enlarged with the growth of the uterus, as 

 it continues to cover it. The Round Ligaments are much 

 elongated ; and they observe a more straight course to the 

 abdominal ring. The Fallopian Tubes are enlarged ; and 

 instead of passing off laterally from the uterus, they now proceed 



