1322 



THE UKO-G-ENITAL SYSTEM. 



the latter about three and a half inches. At its lower end the vagina opens into 

 the rima pudendi, the opening being situated behind the orifice of the urethra 

 and the clitoris, and between the labia niinora. The opening is partly closed in 

 the virgin by a thin crescentic or annular fold, called the hymen, torn fragments 

 of which persist round the opening, as the carunculse hymenales, after the fold 

 itself has been ruptured. 



Relations of the Vagina. The anterior wall of the vagina in its upper part 

 lies against the base of the bladder, but is separated from it by loose connective 



Cavity of uterus 



Cavity of urinary 

 bladder 



Labium anterius 

 (cervicis uteri) 



Hymphysis pubis 



Urethra 



Labium minus, 

 (pudendi)' 



Labium posterius 

 (cervicis uteri) 



Rpcto-vaginal 

 reflexion of 

 peritoneum 



Vaginal canal 



Anal canal 

 j- Sphincter ani 



FIG. 1033. MEDIAN SECTION OF THE PELVIS IN AN ADULT FEMALE. 

 The cavity of the uterus is indicated diagrammatically. 



tissue. Lower down, the anterior wall in the median plane is intimately connected 

 with the urethra (Fig. 1033). Near the median plane, the posterior wall in its upper 

 portion is covered for a distance of about a quarter of an inch by the peritoneum, 

 which here forms the anterior boundary of the deepest part of the recto-uterine 

 pouch. The depth to which the peritoneum; of this pouch descends practically 

 corresponds to the level of the spina ischiadica. Lower down, the posterior 

 wall lies close against the rectum, from which it is separated by a layer of the 

 pelvic fascia. As, however, the orifice of the vagina is approached, the rectum and 

 vagina become separated by a considerable interval, which is occupied by a mass of 

 fibrous and fatty tissue, often called the " perineum " or " perineal body." At the 

 sides the vagina is supported by the levatores ani muscles. The terminal part of 

 the ureter lies not far from the side wall of the upper part of the vagina, as il 

 passes from above and behind downwards, medially and a little forwards to reach 



