538 DISSECTION OF THE PELVIS. 



The thickness of the uterine wall is greatest opposite the middle of the 

 body. It is greater at the centre than at the angles of the fundus (fig. 

 187), the wall becoming thinner towards the attachment of the Fallopian 

 tubes. 



Interior of the uterus (fig. 187). Within the uterus is a small space, 

 which is divided artificially into two that of the body, and that of the 

 neck. 



The space occupying the body of the viscus (c) is triangular in form, 

 and is larger than the other. Its base is at the fundus, where it is convex 

 towards the cavity, and the angles are prolonged towards the Fallopian 

 tubes. The apex is directed downwards, and joins the cavity in the cer- 

 vix by a narrowed circular part, isthmus, which may be narrower than 

 the opening of the uterus into the vagina. 



The space within the neck (d) terminates inferiorly at the os uteri, and 

 is continuous above with the space within the body. It is larger at the 

 middle than at either end, being spindle-shaped, and is somewhat flattened 



Fig. 187. 



INTERIOR OF THE UTERUS, WITH A POSTERIOR VIEW OF THE BROAD LIGAMENT AND THE 



UTERINE APPENDAGES. 



a. Body, and 6, neck of the uterus. g. The fimbria attached to the ovary. 



c. Cavity of the body, and d, of the neck. h. Ovary, and i, ligament of the ovary. 



e. Fallopian tube, and /, its trumpet-shaped k. Parovarium. 

 end. 



like the cavity of the body. Along both the anterior and the posterior 

 wall is a longitudinal ridge ; and the other ridges (rugce) are directed ob- 

 liquely from these on each side : this appearance has been named arbor 

 vitce uterinus. In the intervals between the rugie are mucous follicles, 

 which sometimes become distended with fluid, and give rise to rounded 

 clear sacs. 



STRUCTURE. The dense wall of the uterus is composed of layers of 

 unstriated muscular fibre, intermixed with areolar and elastic tissues, and 

 large bloodvessels. On the exterior is the peritoneum ; and lining the 

 interior is a thin mucous membrane. 



The muscular fibres can be demonstrated at the full period of gestation 

 to form three strata in the wall of the uterus, viz., external, internal, and 

 middle : 



The external layer contains fibres which are mostly transverse ; but at 

 the fundus and sides they are oblique, and are more marked than along 



