748 



FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



the corpus spongiosum in the male. Immediately in front of these bodies is a 

 smaller venous plexus, continuous with the bulbi vestibuli behind, and the glans. 

 clitoridis in front ; it is called by Kobelt, the pars intermedia, and is considered 

 by him as analogous to that part of the body of the corpus spongiosum which 

 immediately succeeds the bulb. 



Fig. 375. Section of Female Pelvis, showing position of Viscera. 



BLADDER. 



The Bladder is situated at the anterior part of the pelvis. It is in relation, 

 in front, with the os pubis ; behind, with the uterus, some convolutions of the 

 small intestine being interposed ; its base lies in contact with the neck of the 

 uterus, and with the anterior wall of the vagina. The bladder is larger in the 

 female than in the male, and very broad in its transverse diameter. 



UEETHEA. 



The Urethra is a narrow membranous canal, about an inch and a half in length, 

 extending from the neck of the bladder to the meatus urinarius. It is placed 

 beneath the symphysis pubis, imbedded in the anterior wall of the vagina ; and 

 its direction is obliquely downwards and forwards, its course being slightly 

 curved, the concavity directed upwards. Its diameter, when undilated, is about 

 a quarter of an inch. The urethra perforates the triangular ligament, precisely 

 as in the male, and is surrounded by the muscular fibres of the Compressor 

 urethras. 



Structure. The urethra consists of three coats ; muscular erectile, and mucous. 



The muscular coat is continuous with that of the bladder : it extends the whole 

 length of the tube, and consists of a thick stratum of circular fibres. 



