1174 



FEMALE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 



In old age the uterus becomes atrophied, and paler and denser in texture ; a more distinct 

 constriction separates the body and cervix. The ostiuni internum and. occasionally, the vaginal 

 orifice often become obliterated; and its labia almost entirely disappear. 



APPENDAGES OF THE UTERUS. 



The appendages of the uterus are the Fallopian tubes, the ovaries and their 

 ligaments, and the round ligaments. They are placed in the following order : in 

 front is the round ligament ; the Fallopian tube occupies the upper margin of the 

 broad ligament ; the ovary and its ligament are behind and below both. 



THE FALLOPIAN TUBES. 



The Fallopian Tubes, or Oviducts, convey the ova from the ovaries to the cavity 

 of the uterus. They are two in number, one on each side, situated in the upper 

 margin of the broad ligament, extending from each superior angle of the uterus to 

 the sides of the pelvis. Each tube is about four inches in length ; and is described 

 as consisting of three portions : (1) the isthmus, or inner constricted half; (2) the 

 ampulla, or outer dilated portion, which curves over the ovary ; and (3) the 



I'll- run. 



Fimbria 



ovaricn. 



FIG. 752. Uterine appendages, seen from behind. (Henle.) 



infundibulum with its ostium abdominale, surrounded by fimbrise, one of which is 

 attached to the ovary, the fimbria ovarica. The general direction of the Fallopian 

 tube is outward and upward, backward and downward. The uterine opening is 

 minute, and will only admit a fine bristle ; the abdominal opening is comparatively 

 much larger. In connection with the fimbriae of the Fallopian tube or with the broad 

 ligament close to them there is frequently one or more small vesicles floating on 

 a long stalk of peritoneum. These are termed the hydatids of Morgagni, and arc 

 probably of peritoneal origin. 



Structure. The Fallopian tube consists of three coats serous, muscular, and 

 mucous. 



The external or serous coat is peritoneal. 



The middle or muscular coat consists of an external longitudinal and an internal 

 circular layer of muscular fibres continuous with those of the uterus. 



The internal or mucous coat is continuous with the mucous lining of the uterus 

 and, at the free extremity of the tube, with the peritoneum. It is thrown into 

 longitudinal folds, which in the outer, larger part of the tube, or ampulla, are much 

 more extensive than in the narrow canal of the isthmus. The lining epithelium 

 is columnar ciliated. This form of epithelium is also found on the inner surface 

 of the fimbriae, while on the outer or serous surfaces of these processes the 

 epithelium gradually merges into the endotheliurn of the peritoneum. 



