THE BLADDER AND URETHRA. 199 



lower portions of the sympathetic, and the third and fourth 

 sacral nerves. 



Of the Bladder and Urethra. 



The situation of the Bladder, as respects the symphysis 

 pubis, is nearly alike in both sexes; but that part of it which 

 is immediately behind the insertion of the uterus is rather lower 

 in males than in females. The bottom of the bladder rests 

 upon the upper part of the vagina, a thin stratum of cellular 

 substance intervening : when that viscus is distended it forms a 

 tumor which compresses the vagina. 



The ureters are inserted, and the urethra commences in the 

 same part of the bladder, in both sexes. 



The length of the -Urethra is between one and two inches. 

 When the body is in an erect position, it is nearly horizontal ; 

 but it is slightly curved, with its convexity downwards. It is 

 immediately above the vagina, and it passes below the body of 

 the clitoris. The external orifice is rather more than an inch 

 within the glans or head of the clitoris. This orifice is some- 

 what prominent in the vagina. 



In young persons, the external orifice of the urethra is 

 immediately below the symphysis of the pubis, and nearly 

 level with the anterior face of that bone. , 



In women who have borne many children, the urethra is 

 retracted or shortened, so as to be rarely more than an inch and 

 a quarter in length, and the orifice will be found behind the pubis, 

 near its posterior face. A knowledge of these facts will render 

 the introduction of the catheter in many cases more easy. 



In the internal lining membrane of the urethra there are 

 many orifices of mucous follicles, and also longitudinal wrinkles, 

 as in the urethra of males. The diameter of the female urethra 

 and its orifice in the bladder are larger than they are in the male. 

 For this reason it has been supposed, that women are less liable 

 to calculus of the bladder than men.* 



The urethra is intimately connected with the external coat 

 of the vagina, and between them there is a spongy cellular 



* It has, however, been asserted that they are also less liable to calculi in the 

 kidneys. 



