512 



THE HUMAN BODY 



let cells between them. In the cervix the glands are shorter, and 

 many of the epithelial cells not ciliated. The viscid mucus se- 

 creted by the uterine glands is alkaline or neutral. 



The vagina is a distensible passage, extending from the uterus 

 to the exterior; dorsally it rests on the rectum, and ventrally is 

 in contact with the bladder and urethra. It is lined by mucous 

 membrane, the epithelium of which is much like the epidermis 



FIG. 152. The viscera of the female pelvis as exposed by a dorsiventral me- 

 dian section, s, symphysis pubis; v, v', urinary bladder; n, urethra; u, uterus; 

 va, vagina; r, r 1 , rectum; a, anal opening; I, right labium major; n, right nympha; 

 h, hymen; cl, divided cilitoris. 



but thinner; outside the mucous membrane the vagina is made 

 up of areolar, erectile, and unstriped muscular tissues. Around 

 its lower end is a ring of striated muscular tissue, the sphincter 

 vagince. 



The vulva is a general term for all the portions of the female gen- 

 erative organs visible from the exterior. Over the front of the pel- 

 vis the skin is elevated by adipose tissue beneath it, and forms the 

 mons Veneris. From this two folds of skin (/, Fig. 152), the labia 



