20 



OBSTETRICS. 



Fig. 7. 



OF THE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



These are generally divided into the external and internal. The 

 external consist of the mons veneris, labia exteryia, 'perineum, clitoris, 

 nymphce, vestibule, meatus urinarius, hymen in virgins, and carun- 

 culce myrtiformes in matrons. The internal are the vagina, uterus, 

 and uterine appendages, which latter are 

 the broad ligaments, round ligaments, 

 two ovaries, and two Fallopian tubes. 



The mons veneris (Fig. 7) is placed at the 

 lower part of the abdomen, and upper part 

 of symphysis pubis ; it consists of dense 

 fibro-cellular, and adipous tissue, and is 

 covered, in the adult, with hair, among 

 the roots of which are numerous seba- 

 ceous follicles. 



The labia externa are two folds of skin 

 and mucous membrane, which commence 

 in front of the symphysis pubis, and ex- 

 tend downwards and backwards to the 

 perineum, where they again meet. The 

 superior junction is called the anterior 

 commissure of the vulva, the posterior, is called the posterior com- 

 ?nissure. Their texture is principally cellular and vascular, and 

 their use is to protect the organs situated between them. The 

 perineum extends from the lower union of the labia externa back- 

 wards towards the anus. It is composed principally of highly dis- 

 tensible cellular tissue, but does not possess a great deal of fat, and 

 the skin is very scantily supplied with hair ; it is somewhat trian- 

 gular in shape, and its medium breadth in women who have not 

 borne children is from an inch to an inch and a half, being narrower, 

 of course, in women who have. It is capable of great distension. 



The nymphce, labia interna vel minora, arise from nearly the 

 same point, at the anterior commissure, and run downwards and 

 backwards about an inch, to the middle of the orifice of the vagina, 

 where they are lost in the general lining of the labia externa. They 

 are covered with mucous membrane, and consist of cellular and 

 erectile vascular tissue, and do not disappear during the distension 

 of the external parts by the escape of the child's head. 



The clitoris is seated just below the point of junction of the nym- 

 phs, and is the analogue of the male penis, excepting that it has no 

 corpus spongiosum, and no urethra ; it is erectile, and extremely 

 sensitive 



The vestibule is a triangular space, bounded superiorly by the 

 clitoris, and laterally by the nymphop, it is covered by smooth 

 mucous membrane, and at its lower portion we find the ortfice of 

 the urethra, easily recognised by its soft, prominent, circular rim. 



