170 THE PELVIS AND THE GENITAL ORGANS. 



ing the lateral boundaries of the vulva. Within these 

 labia again are two thin cutaneous folds, the labia minora 

 or nymph(K, which run back from the clitoris for about 

 one and a half inches and enclose the vaginal orifice. 

 The clitoris corresponds to the penis and is just above 

 the upper part of the labia minora. Between it and the 

 vagina is the meatus urinarius. The orifice of the vagina 

 is partly closed in the virgin by the hymen, a thin fold of 

 mucous membrane, which occasionally closes it com- 

 pletely, imperforate hymen. The fourchette is a small trans- 

 verse fold of skin at the junction of the labia minora 

 posteriorly. Between the vagina and the rectum is the 

 perineal body, a somewhat triangular structure made up 

 of many small muscles. Its surface is known as the peri- 

 neum. It is frequently torn wholly or in part during 

 childbirth and has to be sewed up. 



