446 



THE MUSCLES AND FASCIAE 



The Sphincter vaginae (m. bulbocavernosus) surrounds the orifice of the vagina; 

 it is homologous with the Accelerator urinae in the male. It arises posteriorly 

 from the central tendinous point of the perineum, where it blends with the External 

 sphincter ani. Its fibres pass forward on each side of the vagina, where it covers 

 the vaginal bulb, to be inserted into the corpora cavernosa of the clitoris; a fas- 

 ciculus crosses over the body of the organ and compresses the dorsal vein. 



Nerve-supply. The perineal branch of the internal pudic. 



Actions. It diminishes the orifice of the vagina. The anterior fibres contribute to the 

 erection of the clitoris, as they are inserted into and are continuous with the fascia of the clitoris 

 and compress the dorsal vein during the contraction of the muscle. 



Suspensory ligament 

 of clitoris 



Glans rlit or is 



Vrethral 

 ' orifice 



Vestibule. 



Greater gland 

 of vestibule, 

 or gland oj 

 Bartholini 



SUPERFICIAL 



TRANSVERSE 



PERINEAL 



MUSCLE 



LEVATOR AN 

 MUSCLE 



ERECTOR 



CLITORIDIS 



MUSCLE 



SPHINCTER 



VAGINAE 



MUSCLE 



DEEP PERINEAL 

 MUSCLE, WITH 

 ITS UNDER 

 LAYER OF FASCIA 



(the triangular 

 ligament) 



EXTERNAL 



OBTURATOR 



MUSCLE 



SACRO- 

 SCIATIC 

 LIGAMENT 



EXTERNAL SPHINCTER 

 ANI MUSCLE 



FIG. 338. The female perineum after removal of the skin and superficial fascia. (Bardeleben.) 



The Erector clitoridis (ra. ischiocavernosus] resembles the Erector penis in the 

 male, but is smaller. -It covers the unattached part of the crus clitoridis. It is 

 an elongated muscle, broader at the middle than at either extremity, and situated 

 on either side of the lateral boundary of the perineum. It arises by tendinous 

 and fleshy fibres from the inner surface of the tuberosity of the ischium, behind 

 the crus clitoridis from the surface of the crus, and from the adjacent portion of 

 the ramus of the ischium. From these points fleshy fibres succeed, ending in 

 an aponeurosis, which is inserted into the sides and under surface of the crus 

 clitoridis. 



