62 OF THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 



162. After several pregnancies the uterus is from two and a half 

 to three inches in its entire length; twenty to twenty-four lines wide 

 at the fundus, fifteen to sixteen at the widest part of the cervix, 

 twelve to fourteen lines thick at the body, eight to ten at the neck, 

 and each of the walls are six lines in thickness: the vaginal orifice 

 is half as large again as in a virgin. 



In the first named state, the womb weighs from eight to twelve 

 drachms, and in the second about two ounces. It will be seen that 

 these dimensions are very near those given by Rosderer; and they 

 are the results of a considerable number of measurements taken on 

 the dead subject. 



D. Structure. 



163. An external membrane, an internal membrane, a peculiar 

 tissue, numerous vessels, nerves and cellular tissue enter into the 

 composition of the womb. 



164. a. The external membrane, of a serous character, belongs 

 to the peritoneum; posteriorly, it descends lower than the cervix, on 

 to the posterior surface of the vagina, while, in front, it is reflected 

 upon the bladder after having invested the anterior surface of the body 

 of the uterus, and before it reaches the cervix. Very closely adhe- 

 rent along the upper edge and median line of the uterus, it becomes 

 less so nearer the sides, and in the neighborhood of the broad liga- 

 ments may be easily detached. Observers have not agreed in rela- 

 tion to its thickness, doubtless because it has often been confounded 

 with the layer immediately beneath it, but which in reality ought 

 to be distinguished from it. On the whole, it is thin and very 

 dense. 



165. Sub-peritoneal layer. This is a kind of doubling which gives 

 to the peritoneal layer a borrowed thickness, covers every part of the 

 uterus, extends itself into the broad ligaments, and is, indeed, only 

 a portion of the common sub-peritoneal fascia, which at this point 

 assumes most of the characters of the yellow fibrous tissue; that is 

 to say, it is elastic, strong, dense, and may be converted into real 

 muscular tissue, as has been remarked by Madame Boivin, and as I 

 have several times observed myself. 



166. b. The existence of the internal membrane is not admitted 

 by all anatomists. Gordon, Chaussier, M. Ribes, (fee. reject it; 

 the most careful dissections, putrefaction, ebullition, chemical re- 

 agents, have all failed in demonstrating its existence to these observers, 

 except towards the close of pregnancy; but at that period it con- 

 stitutes, according to them, a pellicle of new formation, and not a 

 natural membrane. Beclard also taught that the internal membrane 



