1070 



SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE PERINEUM. 



The triangular ligament of the urethra is not strongly marked as in the male. 

 It transmits the urethra and the tube of the vagina. 



The Compressor Urethrae (Transversus perincei profundus) corresponds with 

 the Compressor urethras in the male. It arises from the ischio-pubic ramus, and, 

 passing inward, its anterior fibres blend with the muscle of the opposite side, in 

 front of the urethra ; its middle fibres, the most numerous, are inserted into the 

 side of the vagina, and the posterior fibres join the central point of the perinseum. 



The distribution of the internal pudic artery is the same as in the male (see 

 page 567), and the pudic nerve has also a similar arrangement, the dorsal nerve 

 being, however, very small and supplying the clitoris. 



The corpus spongiosum is dividedinto two lateral halves, which are represented 

 by the bulbi vestibuli and paries intermediales (see page 1027). 



The perineal body fills up the interval between the lower part of the vagina 

 and the rectum. Its base is covered by the skin lying between the anus and 



Obturator fascia. _ 



Internal pudic vessels 

 and nerve. 



Tuberosity of 

 ischium. 



FIG. 594. A transverse section of the pelvis, showing the pelvic fascia from behind. 



vagina on what is called the u perinaeum." Its anterior surface lies behind the 

 posterior vaginal wall, and its posterior surface lies in front of the anterior rectal 

 wall and the anus. It measures about an inch and a quarter from before backward, 

 and laterally extends from one tuberosity of the ischium to the other. In it are 

 situated the muscles belonging to the external organs of generation. Through its 

 centre runs the transverse perineal septum, which is of great strength in women, 

 and forms on either side, behind the posterior commissure, a hard, ill-defined body, 

 consisting of connective tissue, with much yellow elastic tissue and interlacing 

 bundles of involuntary muscular fibres, in which the voluntary muscles of the peri- 

 nseum are inserted. 



THE PELVIC FASCIA. 



The Pelvic fascia (Fig. 595) is a thin membrane which lines the whole of the 

 cavity of the pelvis and is continuous over the back part of* the ilio-pectineal line 

 with the iliac fossa. It is attached to the brim of the pelvis, for a short dis- 



