THE UTERUS 461 



THE VAGINA 



The vayina extends from the vulva to the uterus, lying 

 behind the bladder and in front of the rectum, and is about 

 4 inches long on its anterior wall, 5 to 5| on its posterior, and 

 is directed from the uterus downward and forward. 



Above, it embraces the cervix uteri, and its walls are flattened 

 from before backward. It is narrowest at the introitus, or 

 orificium vagimie. In front it is in relation with the urethra 

 and base of the bladder; behind, it is connected with the anterior 

 wall of the rectum by its lower three-fourths, the cul-de-sac 

 of peritoneum (Douglas') separating them above; laterally, 

 the broad ligaments are attached above, and the levatores 

 ani below, as well as the rectovesical fascia. Its inner surface 

 presents a mesial ridge or raphe on the front and back walls, 

 the columnar rugarum, and from them on both sides run out 

 transverse folds or rugae. 



The vaginal mucous membrane is squamous, with papillae 

 here and there. The submucous coat holds many large veins 

 and some muscular fibers, making a sort of erectile tissue. 

 The veins form a sort of plexus. The muscular coat comprises 

 an internal circular and an external longitudinal layer. At 

 the lower part is the sphincter vaginae, a muscle composed 

 of striped fibers. 



The internal organs include the uterus, tubes, and ovaries. 



THE INTERNAL ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION 



(FEMALE) 



THE UTERUS 



The uterus, or womb, is a hollow muscular organ lying in 

 the pelvis between the bladder and rectum. In the virgin 

 it is pear-shaped, flattened from before backward, its upper 

 end looking forward and upward, its lower downward and 

 backward, forming an angle with the vagina. Above, it is 

 invested by the peritoneum, which covers its body before 

 and behind; it covers also the cervix behind, but in front the 



