184 



PHYSIOLOGY 



CHAP. 



the labia minora or nymphae which enclose between them a shallow 

 cavity called the vaginal vestibule, into which open the vagina 

 and urethra. The labia minora join together in front with the 

 clitoris, and at the margin of the vaginal orifice with the bulbs 

 of the vestibule. More medially situated than the bulbs of the 

 vestibule are two glands called the vestibular or glands of Bartholin. 



Without going into a minute 

 description of these parts, 

 which is the task of the 

 anatomist, we will confine 

 ourselves to noting some few 

 particulars which appear most 

 interesting from a physio- 

 logical poiut of view. 



The labia majora are in 

 the woman the equivalent of 

 the male scrotum. The skin 

 which covers them is pig- 

 mented and provided with 

 hairs and sebaceous glands 

 which are among the largest 

 in the whole body, and secrete 

 an oily substance, the odour 

 of which is very aphrodisiac. 

 The skin of the medial surface 

 assumes the appearance of a 

 mucous membrane ; it is 

 thinner and is kept con- 

 stantly moist and lubricated 

 by the sebaceous and sudo- 

 rific secretions. 



Similar to this but more 

 delicate is the epidermoid 



FIG. 68. Pudenda of virgin ; the great and little 

 labia are open and show vestibule of vagina. 

 (Chiarngi.) 1, mons veneris ; 2, anterior com- 

 missure of labia majora ; 3, glans of clitoris ; 

 4, great labium ; 5, little labium ; 6, orifice of 

 vagina ; 7, frenum of labia minora ; 8, posterior 

 commissure of labia majora ; 9, anus ; 10, perineal 



margin ; 11, hymen ; 12, orifice of duct of greater . . , , . 



vestibular gland (Bartholin's) ; 13, external orifice COVermg OI the laoia 

 of urethra ; 14, anterior extremity of labia minora .~il,y iT-V. i /-.Vi OIQ 



with medial prolongation which goes to form the or nymptiae, in WniCn aie 

 frenum of the clitoris and with its lateral pro- raiaarl -fVmn fViP nnrlprlvincr 

 longation which is continued into the prepuce of ralS( ^iying 



the clitoris ; is, prepuce of clitoris. connective numerous large 



papillae which give it a 



velvet-like appearance. On their lateral surface are numerous 

 little sebaceous glands, which only reach their full development 

 during pregnancy and atrophy at the menopause. The funda- 

 mental part of the labia minora consists of connective tissue rich 

 in elastic fibres, bundles of smooth muscular fibres, and large 

 and numerous veins. It presents therefore many of the char- 

 acteristics of erectile tissue ; in fact the nymphae become turgid 

 during sexual excitement. In the interlabial groove there 

 collects, when washing is neglected, a caseous substance having 



