540 



THE REPKODUCTIVE SYSTEM 



Those blind only at one end connect with a longitudinal duct, a variable 

 remnant of the Wolffian duct. 



The PAROOPHORON homologue of the male paradidymis is a more 

 mesial collection of similar tubules of like structure and genetic signifi- 

 cance. It is said to be present only in infants. The further extension 

 mesially of the longitudinal duct, either in continuation with the collecting 

 duct of the epoophoron or paroophoron, or as an isolated blind duct, usually 

 in the wall of the uterus and vagina, is known as the canal of Gartner. It 

 is the vestige of the lower portion of the fetal Wolffian duct. 



THE EXTERNAL GENITALS 



The vestibule is supplied with a mucosa which offers a gradual tran- 

 sition from the vagina, on the one hand., to the skin on the other. Its 



stratified squamous epithe- 

 lium becomes in this way 

 gradually more and more 

 like that of the skin, eleidin 

 granules first, and keratin 

 later appearing on the outer 

 surface of the labia minora. 

 The epithelium of the labia 

 majora is identical with 

 that of the skin. 



The labia minora or 

 nymphae form the lateral 

 walls of the vestibule and 

 consist of a fold of the mu- 

 cosa which is provided with 

 exceptionally tall papillae. 

 Small sebaceous glands 

 open directly urjon the sur- 

 face of the stratified squam- 

 ous epithelium. There are 

 no hair follicles in relation 

 with these glands, and the 

 labia minora contain no 

 adipose tissue. They are 

 richly supplied with blood-vessels, and with sensory nerve endings. 



The labia majora are formed by similar folds whose inner surface 

 resembles the adjacent portion of the labia minora, but whose outer 



FIG. 473. TRANSECTION OP A LABIUM MINUS OP 

 AN INFANT. 



a, labium minus; b, border of the labium 

 majus; c, adipose tissue of the latter. Hematein 

 and eosin. Photo. X 12. 



