DISSECTION OF THE PELVIS. 



the uterus, whilst the other is loose in the cavity of the pelvis. At the 

 uterine end the tube is of small size, but at the opposite extremity it is 

 dilated like a trumpet, and fringed, forming the corpus Jimbriatwm. 



The round or suspensory ligament, N, is a fibrous cord about five inches 

 long, which is directed outwards through the internal abdominal ring and 

 the inguinal canal to end in the groin. This cord lies over the obliterated 

 hypogastric, and the external iliac artery ; and it is surrounded by the 

 peritoneum, which accompanies it a short way into the canal. 



The ovary, L, is placed nearly horizontally, and bulges at the posterior 

 aspect of the broad ligament ; it is connected to the uterus at the inner 

 end by a special fibrous band, one inch and a half in length, the ligament 

 of the ovary. Its form is oval, and its margins are turned forwards and 

 backwards. Its size is very variable. 



The VAGINA (fig. 175, l ) is the tube by which the, uterus communicates 

 with the exterior of the body. It is somewhat cylindrical in shape, 

 though flattened from above down ; and its length is about five inches. As 

 it follows the bend of the rectum it is slightly curved ; and its axis corre- 

 sponds at first with the centre of the outlet, but higher up with that of 

 the cavity of the pelvis. 



Above the vagina are the base of the bladder, and the urethra ; and 

 beneath or below it is the rectum. To each side is attached the recto- 

 vesical fascia, which sends a sheath along the lower half of the tube. 

 The upper end receives the neck of the uterus by an aperture in the an- 

 terior or upper wall ; and the lower end, the narrowest part of the canal, 

 is encircled by the sphincter vaginae muscle. A large plexus of veins 

 surrounds the vagina. In children, and in the virgin, the external aperture 

 is partly closed by the hymen. 



The BLADDER (fig. 175, H ) is placed at the anterior part of the pelvis, 

 above tjie vagina and in contact with the back of the pubes. Its position 

 and connections so closely resemble those of the bladder in the male body, 

 as to render unnecessary any further description of them (p. 506). The 

 chief differences in the bladder of the two sexes are the following. 



In the female the bladder is larger than in the male, and its transverse 

 exceeds its vertical measurement. The base is of less extent, and is in 

 contact with the vagina and the lower part of the uterus ; and it does not 

 reach below the orifice of the urethra. On the side of the viscus there 

 is not any vas deferens ; and the prostate does not project around the 

 neck. 



The ureter has a longer course in the female than in the male pelvis 

 before it reaches the bladder. After crossing the internal iliac vessels, it 

 passes by the neck of the uterus ere it arrives at its destination. 



The urethra (fig. 175, ) is a small narrow tube about one inch and a 

 half long, which curves slightly below the symphysis pubis, the concavity 

 being upwards. Its situation is above the vagina, and its external open- 

 ing is placed within the vulva. 



In its course to the surface it is embedded in the tissue of the vaginal 

 wall, and perforates the triangular ligament of the perinseum. It is sur- 

 rounded by the muscular fibres of the constrictor and orbicularis urethrae 

 (p. 398) ; and corresponds with the two hinder parts (prostatic and mem- 

 branous) of the male urethra. A plexus of veins surrounds the urethra 

 as well as the vagina. 



