LIGAMENTS OF THE UTERUS 351 



The broad ligaments are folds of peritoneum extending laterally 

 from the sides of the uterus, like wings, to the sides of the pelvic 

 cavity. Each fold encloses the uterine tube, ovary, and round 

 ligament of its own side. 



The round ligaments are two muscular and fibrous cords, 

 which extend from the angle of the uterus lateralward and for- 

 ward through the inguinal canal, to be attached to the tissues upon 

 the pubic bone. They aid in preserving the normal position of 

 the uterus with the fundus forward. This position is still further 

 secured by utero-sacral ligaments, which connect the junction of 

 the cervix and body of the uterus with the second and third 

 pieces of the sacrum, thus holding the cervix back. (They pass 

 one on either side of the rectum.) 



THE EXTERNAL GENERATIVE ORGANS 



The pudendum muliebre (vulva) . The name given to the 

 parts situated in front of the pubic arch of the female pelvis. 

 They are: 



The mons veneris, a cushion of adipose and fibrous tissue in 

 front of the body of the pubic bone. 



The labia majora. Two folds of skin containing adipose and 

 loose connective tissue, continuous in front with the mons, and 

 joined together posteriorly by a fold of skin called the posterior 

 commissure, about an inch in front of the anus. (The depression 

 in front of this commissure is the fossa navicularis .) 



The space between the labia majora is the pudendal cleft. 



The labia minora. Two folds situated between the labia 

 majora, about one-half as long, and joined anteriorly in the hood 

 of the clitoris. B etween them is the space called thevestibule. (They 

 sometimes unite posteriorly in a thin fold called the frenulum.) 



The clitoris. A small body, somewhat less than an inch in 

 length, nearly covered by the hood. It contains many vessels 

 and nerves. The extremity is called the glans of the clitoris; the 

 hood is normally free from the glans and if adhesions form they 

 should be separated, since they are a source of nervous irritation. 



The vestibule. A triangular space below the clitoris, and 

 between the labia minora. In the middle of the vestibule is the 

 orifice of the urethra, or external meatus. 



Below the vestibule is the orifice of the vagina, or vaginal orifice, 



