248 ANATOMY OF THE ABDOMEN. 



delicate than the former. They are joined together, that 

 is, the vulva of one side of the hody is united to the vulva 

 of the other hy what are termed commissures, the interior 

 of which changes its appearance after repeated foldings. 

 The vulva extend downwards, and surround the clitoris ; 

 and within the vulva, and the part last named, is to be dis- 

 covered another fold of membrane called the nymphse. 

 The two last are studded W'ith mucous glands. 



The clitoris is a small projecting body at the bottom of 

 the vulva, surrounded by the nymphee. The clitoris con- 

 sists of erectile tissue, a thin layer of which also extends 

 through the vulva and the nymphse, being prolonged up the 

 posterior chamber of the vagina. The clitoris is likewise 

 provided with muscles attached to the points of the ischium, 

 and called the erectores clitoris. A sphincter muscle is also 

 to be found within tlie substance of the labia, wdiich muscle 

 is known by the title of the sphincter vagiuce. 



The vagina is a canal running from the vulva to the neck 

 of the uterus : it lies between the bladder and the rectum. 

 Near to the middle of the canal the internal lining mem- 

 brane is constringed ; and thus the vagina is divided into 

 two chambers. A posterior or external, which is the most 

 vascular, and the sides of which are covered by erectile 

 tissue ; and an anterior or internal, wdiich leads to the neck 

 of the uterus. Within the vagina, upon the floor of the 

 canal, and just past the vulva, is to be felt by the inserted 

 finger a small projecting fold of membrane, w^iich marks 

 the entrance to the short urethra of the female. The 

 erectile tissue of the vagina is covered externally by a sub- 

 stance resembling the dartos in the male. The mucous 

 lining membrane is thrown into various folds, which seem 

 in some subjects to proceed in no positive direction. 



The uterus is a rounded body, having two horns or 

 wings ; one projecting forwards and upwards from either 

 side ; they are lined internally with mucous membrane, which 

 is thrown into various folds. Next to this is a thick layer 

 of white muscular fibre ; and beyond this is a cellular layer, 

 which is thin, and connects the organ to the peritoneum, 

 which forms its last covering. 



At the extremity of the horns, or wrings, are two ducts 

 called the Fallopian tubes. They are small when they spring 



