BLADDER AND URETHRA IX FEMALE. 425 



into the mucous lining of the uterus, but at the outer end it joins is continu- 



J ous with 



the peritoneum. peritoneum. 



The blood-vessels and nerves are furnished from those supplied to Vessels, 

 the ovary and uterus. 



THE BLADDER, URETHRA, AND RECTUM. 



BLADDER. The peculiarities in the form of the female bladder Anatomy of 

 have been detailed in the description of the relations of the viscera adder - 

 of the female pelvis (p. 394). For a notice of its structure, the 

 anatomy of the male bladder is to be referred to (p. 409). 



Dissection. To prepare the bladder, distend it with air, and Preparation 

 remove the peritoneal covering and the loose tissue from the oflt> 

 muscular fibres. 



After the external anatomy of the bladder and urethra has been open it. 

 learnt, they are to be slit open along the fore part, as described in 

 the dissection of the male parts. 



URETHRA. The length and the relations of the urethra are Urethra: 

 given at p. 395. 



The average diameter of the urethra is rather more than a quarter size ; 

 of an inch, and the canal is enlarged and funnel-shaped towards 

 the neck of the bladder ; near the external aperture is a hollow in 

 the floor. In consequence of its not being surrounded by resistant it can be 

 structures, the female urethra is much more dilatable than the aJJS^d. 

 corresponding passage in the male. 



Structure. Like the urethra of the male, it consists of a mucous Tube like 

 coat, which is enveloped by a plexus of blood-vessels, and by U2e. in 

 muscular fibre. 



The muscular layer extends the whole length of the urethra. Its Muscular 

 fibres are circular, corresponding with those in the prostatic enlarge- cutarnbres. 

 ment of the other sex, and continuous above with the middle layer 

 of the bladder. In the perineal ligament this stratum is covered 

 by the fibres of the deep transverse muscle. 



The mucous coat is pale except near the outer orifice. It is Mucous 

 marked by longitudinal folds ; and one of these, in the floor of the coat: 

 canal, resembles the median crest in the male urethra (p. 412). the floor; 

 Around the outer orifice are some mucous follicles ; and towards the fomcies and 

 inner end are tubular mucous glands, the apertures of which are glands- 

 arranged in lines between the folds of the membrane. 



A submucous stratum of longitudinal elastic and muscular tissues Submucous 

 lies close beneath the mucous membrane, as in the male. 



Dissection. The RECTUM may be prepared for examination by Preparation 

 distending it with tow, and by removing the peritoneal covering of 

 and the areolar tissue from its surface. Its structure is similar in Rectum like 

 the two sexes; and the student may use tHe description in the Ua f1 

 SECTION on the viscera of the male pelvis (p. 417 et seq.). 



INTERNAL MUSCLES AND LIGAMENTS OF THE PELVIS. 



Two muscle^, the pvriformis and obturator internus, have their Two 



.,, . , . i i muscles. 



origin within the cavity of the pelvis. 



