856 



THE ANATOMY OF THE HOH.SE. 



The ceriix is the extreme posterior part of uterus. It is directly 

 continuous with the body in front ; and its posterior extremity, as will 

 be seen when the organ is laid open, projects into the anterior 

 extremity of the vagina. 



The Vagina is a tubular 

 organ which connects the uterus 

 and the vulva. It is lodged 

 entirely within the pelvis, being 

 related to the rectum above, to 

 the bladder and urethra below, 

 and to the iiretei-s and pelvic 

 walls laterally. Its mode of 

 comiection with the two cavities 

 that it connects will be ex- 

 amined later on. Its average 

 length is about nine or ten 

 inches. 



The Vulva is the passage 

 that continues the vagina back- 

 wards, and opens on the surface 

 of tlie body beneath the anus. 



The tube of the vulva is 

 about five inches in length. It 

 is united by cellular tissue to 

 the rectum above, and to the 

 pelvic floor below, while on 

 each side it is related to the 

 retractor ani muscle. Below 

 and laterally it is covered by a 

 layer of striped muscular tissue 

 — the antei-ior constrictor of the 

 vulva. The fibres of this muscle after embracing the tube of the ■\'xilva 

 are lost on the sides of the rectum. 



The external opening of the ^'^^lva has the form of a vei-tical slit, and 

 it is bounded at the sides by the labia, which meet above and below to 

 form the cornmissio'es. The superior commissure is aciite, and separated 

 from the anus by a narrow interval. The inferior commissure is rounded, 

 and immediately within it the clitoris is lodged. The labia are covered 

 externally by skin, which is thin, almost destitute of hairs, and generally 

 black-pigmented ; inwardly they are lined by mucous membrane ; and 

 at their sharp edges these cutaneo\is and mucous coverings meet. If the 

 cutaneous covering of the labia be removed, the posteiior constrictor of 

 the vulva will be exposed. This is a red muscle corresponding to the 

 compressor bulbi of human anatomy. Its fibres are elliptically disposed 



1, 1. Ovaries; 2, 2. Fallopian tubes; 3. FimTjiiuted 

 extremity of the tube, outer face ; 4. The same, inner 

 face, showing the abdominal orifice ; 5. Ligament of 

 the ovary; (>. Right cornu, intact; 7. Left cornu, 

 laid open ; S. Body of the uterus ; i). Broad ligament ; 

 10. Os uteri (externum); 11. Interior of the vagina; 

 12. Meatus urinarius, with its valve 13 ; 14. Mucous 

 fold, a vestige of tlie hymen ; 15. Interior of the 

 vulva ; 16. Clitoris ; 17, 17. Labia of the vulva ; IS. 

 Inferior commissure of the vulva. 



