PERINEAL MUSCLES OF THE FEMALE. 341 



Muscles of the Female Organs of Generation. 

 The clitoris has one pair. 



Erector Clitoridis, 



Arises from the crus of the os ischium internally, and in its 

 ascent covers the crus of the clitoris as far up as the os pubis. 



Inserted into the upper part of the crus and body of the 

 clitoris. 



Use. Draws the clitoris downwards and backwards ; and 

 may serve to make the body of the clitoris more tense by 

 squeezing the blood into it from its crus. 



The vagina has one pair. 



Sphincter Vagina, 



Arises from the sphincter ani, and from the posterior side of 

 the vagina, near the perineum; from thence it runs up the 

 side of the vagina, near its external orifice, opposite to the 

 nymphae and covers the corpus cavernosum vaginae. 



Inserted into the crus and body or union of the crura 

 clitoridis. 



Use. Contracts the mouth of the vagina, and compresses its 

 vascular plexus, called corpus cavernosum, or rete mirabih. 



Transversus Perinei, 



Arises,' as in the male, from the fatty cellular membrane which 

 covers the tuberosity of the os ischium. 



Inserted into the upper part of the sphincter ani, and into ^ 

 white hardish tough substance in the perineum, between the 

 lower part of the pudendum and anus. 



Use. To sustain and keep the perineum in its proper place. 



The anus, as in the male, has a single muscle, and one pair. 



Sphincter Ani. 



Arises, as in the male, from the skin and fat surrounding the 

 extremity of the rectum. 



Inserted, above, in the white tough substance of the perineum 

 (perineal centre ;) and below, into the point of the os coccygis. 



Use. To shut the passage into the rectum ; and, by pulling 

 29* 



