544 



FEMALE PELVIS. 



Pis. 240.* 



duct, which is thus formed by the junction of the duct of the vesicula 

 seminalis with the vas deferens, passes forwards to the anterior extremity 

 of the veru montanum, where it terminates by opening into the prostatic 

 urethra. 



FEMALE PELVIS. 



The peculiarities in form of the female pelvis have already been ex- 

 amined with the anatomy of the bones (p. 118). Its lining boundaries are 

 the same with those of the male. The contents are, the bladder, vagina, 

 uterus with its appendages, and the rectum. Some portion of the small 

 intestines also occupies the upper part of its cavity. 



The Bladder is in relation with the ossa pubis in front, with the uterus 

 behind, from which it is usually separated by a convolution of small in- 

 testine, and with the neck of the uterus and vagina beneath. The form 

 of the female bladder corresponds with that of the pelvis, being broad 

 from side to side, and often bulging more on one side than on the other. 

 This is Darticularly evident after frequent parturition. The coats of the 

 bladde; are the same as those of the male. 



The Urethra is about an inch and a half in length, and is lodged in the 

 upper wall of the vagina, in its course downwards and forwards, beneath 

 the aich of the os pubis, to the meatus urinarius. It is lined by mucous 

 membrane, which is disposed in longitudinal folds, and is continuous in 

 ternally with that of the bladder, and externally with that of the vulva , 

 the mucous membrane is surrounded by a proper coat of elastic tissue, to 

 which the muscular fibres of the detrusor urinse are attached. It is to the 

 Clastic tissue that is due the remarkable dilatability of the female urethra, 



* Human testis injected with mercury. 1, 1. Lobules formed of seminiferous tubes 

 2. Rete testis 3. Vasa efferentia. 4. Plexuses of the efferent vessels passing into the 

 head of the epididymis 5, 5. 6. Body of the epididymis. 7. Its appendix; its tail 01 

 tauda. 8. Vas deferens. (Lauth.) 



