1208 



SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE PERINEUM. 



the labia majora to the inguinal region. It is of less extent than the male, in 

 consequence of being perforated by the aperture of the vulva. 



On removing this fascia the muscles of the female perinseum, which have 

 already been described (page 464), are exposed. The Sphincter vaginae, corre- 

 sponding to the Accelerator urinse in the male, consists of an attenuated plane of 

 fibres, forming an orbicular muscle around the orifice of the vagina, instead of 

 being united in a median raphe, as in the male. The Erector clitoridis is propor- 

 tionately reduced in size, but differs in no other respect, and the Transversus 

 perinaei is similar to the muscle of the same name in the male. 



The deep perineal fascia is not so strongly marked as in the male. It 

 transmits the urethra, and is wide, separated in the median line by the aperture 

 of the vagina. 



The Compressor Urethrse (Transversus perin cei profundus) is the analogue of 

 the Compressor urethrae in the male. It arises from the ischio-pubic ramus, and, 

 passing inward, its anterior fibres blend with the muscle of the opposite side, in 

 front of the urethra ; its middle fibres, the most numerous, are inserted into the 

 side of the vagina, and the posterior fibres join the central point of the perinaeum. 



The distribution of the internal pudic artery is the same as in the male (see 

 page 625), and the pudic nerve has also a similar arrangement, the dorsal nerve 

 being, however, very small and supplying the clitoris. 



The corpus spongiosum is divided into two lateral halves, which are represented 

 by the bulbi vestibuli and paries intermediates (see page 1165). 



The perineal body fills up the interval between the lower part of the vagina 

 and the rectum. Its base is covered by the skin lying between the anus and 



Femoral vessels. 



Obturator fascia. 



Internal pudic vessels 

 and nerve. 



Tuberosity of 

 ischium. 



FIG. 771. A transverse section of the pelvis, showing the pelvic fascia from behind. 



vagina on what is called the u perinaeum." Its anterior surface lies behind the 

 posterior vaginal wall, and its posterior surface lies in front of the anterior rectal 

 wall and the anus. It measures about an inch and a quarter from before backward, 

 and laterally extends from one tuberosity of the ischium to the other. In it are 

 attached the muscles belonging to the external organs of generation. Through its 



