464 SPLANCHNOLOGY, OR ANATOMY OF THE VISCERA 



and rectum, hence called the rcctoutcrmc, forming a pouch, 

 the cul-de-sac of Douglas. 



The two lateral or broad ligaments pass from the sides of the 

 uterus to the sides of the pelvis, thus dividing the latter into 

 two parts. They are formed by the coalescence of the peritoneal 

 layers investing the anterior and posterior surfaces of the 

 uterus, and contained between the two layers the Fallopian 

 tube at the upper margin; the round ligament below and in 

 front of the tube; the ovary and its ligament enfolded by the 

 posterior layer; and the uterine bloodvessels, lymphatics, and 

 nerves. 



THE FALLOPIAN TUBES 



The Fallopian tubes, or oviducts, run from the upper angles 

 of the uterus toward the sides of the pelvis, and near their 

 termination bend downward, backward, and inward. They 

 are 3 to 4 inches long, are at first narrow, then enlarge near 

 the extremity (ampulla), and end in a fimbriated margin, one 

 of the fimbrire being attached to the ovary. The canal is very 

 narrow at the uterine end (ostium uterinum), begins to widen 

 in the outer half to form the ampulla, and at its termination 

 again narrows (ostium abdominale). 



The tubes consist of a peritoneal coat, a muscular coat com- 

 posed of internal circular and external longitudinal fibers, 

 and a mucous coat. The latter is continuous with that of the 

 uterus and with the peritoneum, the epithelium being ciliated 

 columnar, and it is thrown into longitudinal wrinkles, more 

 marked in the outer half of the tube. 



THE OVARIES 



The ovaries are analogous to the testes, and are flattened, 

 oval bodies, measuring Ij inches long, f inch wide, and J 

 inch thick, each weighing 60 to 100 grains. Of each, the two 

 sides are free as well as the convex border, the straight border 

 (hilum) being attached to the broad ligament and admitting 

 the vessels, etc. Its outer end is attached by the fimbria 

 ovarica to the Fallopian tube, its inner end to the uterus by 

 the ligament of the ovary, a dense, fibromuscular cord attached 

 to the uterus below and behind the tube. 



