THE UTERUS. 



1317 



Cavum Uteri. In comparison with the size of the organ, the cavity of the 

 uterus is of small size owing to the great thickness of the uterine wall. In the body, 

 the cavity is merely a narrow chink between the anterior and posterior walls, 

 which are almost in contact (Fig. 1033). When, however, the uterus is opened 

 from above downwards in frontal section of the organ, the cavity of the body 

 has a triangular outline (Fig. 1 032). The base of the triangle is directed upwards, and 

 corresponds to a line drawn between the openings of the uterine tubes, while the 

 apex is directed downwards towards the cervix. The sides of the triangle are 

 convex inwards towards the cavity. The cavity of the body becomes continuous 

 with that of the cervix by an opening called the orificium internum uteri (O.T. 

 internal os uteri), which is a little smaller and more circular than the external 

 orifice of the uterus. The cavity of the cervix, canalis cervicis uteri, or cervical 

 canal, extends from the internal orifice of the uterus, where it joins the cavity of 

 the body, to the external orifice, where it opens into the vagina. It is a somewhat 

 spindle-shaped passage, which is narrower above and below than in its middle part ; 

 sections show also that its antero-posterior diameter is shorter than its transverse 

 one, owing to an approximation of its anterior and posterior walls. In the body of 



Ep-oophoron Ligament 



Tuba uterina ] Ovary of ovary Uterus a 



Fundus uteri 



Vesicular 



append 



age of 



Morgagni 



Lateral angle 

 of uterus 



Cavity 

 of body 



Cavity 

 'of cervix 



Infundibulum of tube 



Round ligament Broad 

 of uterus ligament 



Vaginal cavity 

 B 



FIG. 1032. A. THE POSTERIOR ASPECT OF THE UTERUS AND BROAD LIGAMENT (the broad ligament has 



been spread out). 



a, b, and c, the isthmus tubae, the ligament of the ovary, and the round ligament of the right side cut short. 

 B. DIAGRAMMATIC REPRESENTATION OF THE UTERINE CAVITY OPENED UP FROM ITS ANTERIOR ASPECT. 



the uterus the walls of the cavity are smooth and even, but in the cervical canal the 

 mucous membrane forms a remarkable series of folds, called the plicae palmatae (O.T. 

 arbor vitas uteri). These consist of an anterior and a posterior longitudinally 

 directed fold or ridge, from which a large number of secondary folds, or rugye, 

 branch off obliquely upwards and laterally (Fig. 1032, B). 



Connexions of the Uterus and its Relations to the Peritoneum. In addition 

 to the uterine tubes at its upper lateral angles, and the vagina below, the uterus 

 possesses other important connexions. Some of these are simply peritoneal folds 

 passing from the uterus to neighbouring structures; others contain fibrous con- 

 nective tissue, or smooth muscle fibres. 



The peritoneum covering the fundus of the uterus is continued down over the 

 vesical surface as far as the junction of the body and cervix, where it leaves the 

 uterus to be reflected on to the bladder, forming the utero-vesical fold, or "anterior 

 ligament of the uterus." The peritoneal recess between the bladder and the uterus 

 is called the excavatio vesicouterina, or utero-vesical pouch. Below the level of 

 this pouch the anterior aspect of the cervix is connected by loose tissue with 

 the posterior, or basal, part of the bladder. Posteriorly the peritoneum covers the 

 whole of the uterus, except the small portion of the cervix which projects into 

 the upper part of the vagina. The peritoneum covering the intestinal surface of 

 the uterus is continued to such a depth that it invests a small portion of the upper 

 part of the posterior wall of the vagina before it is reflected on to the rectum, 

 to form the recto-vaginal fold (Fig. 1033). The deep pouch between the uterus and 



84 a 



