ANATOMY OF FEMALE VISCERA. 533 



in depth, and contain circular fibres of the gut. The most constant of 

 these is about three inches from the anus, on the front of the rectum, 

 opposite the base of the bladder ; another is placed on the right side of 

 the intestine, towards the top ; and the third is on the left side, midway 

 between the other two. These folds will be seen by laying open the gut 

 along the side, provided it is tolerably fresh. 



The mucous membrane has the same general structure as in the colon, 

 but towards the anus the secretory apparatus gradually disappears. 



Bloodvessels. The arteries are supplied from three different sources, 

 viz., superior hjemorrhoidal of the inferior mesenteric, middle haemorrhoidal 

 of the internal iliac, and inferior hajmorrhoidal of the internal pudic. All 

 three sets anastomose on the lower end of the gut, and only the upper 

 hoemorrhoidal, which is the largest, requires further notice. The final 

 branches of this artery (p. 516), about six in number, pierce the muscular 

 layer three inches from the anus, and descend between the mucous and 

 muscular coats as far as the internal sphincter, where they unite in loops 

 just within the anus. 



The veins are deficient in valves, and communicate freely, like the 

 arteries, in a plexus between the muscular and mucous coats, around the 

 lower end of the gut. Above, they join the inferior mesenteric vein, and 

 through it reach the vena portae ; and, posteriorly, they pour some blood 

 into the internal iliac vein by the middle hsemorrhoidal branch. 



Nerves and lymphatics. The nerves of the intestine are obtained from 

 the sympathetic ; and those of the sphincter come from the spinal cord. 

 The lymphatics terminate in the chain of glands on the sacrum. 



SECTION VI. 



ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE VISCERA. 



IN the pelvis are contained the viscera, alike in both sexes, viz., the 

 bladder, urethra, and rectum ; and those special to the female, or the 

 organs of generation. 



Dissection. The contents of the pelvis are to be removed, together 

 with the genital organs. For this purpose the student should keep the 

 scalpel close to the osseous boundary of the pelvic outlet, to avoid injuring 

 the end of the rectum ; and he should also detach the crus of the clitoris 

 from the bone. 



After the parts are taken from the body, the rectum is to be separated 

 from the uterus and vagina, but the rest of the viscera may remain united 

 until after the genital organs are examined. The bladder and rectum may 

 be moderately distended ; and the fat and areolar tissue are to be removed 

 from the viscera. 



GENITAL ORGANS: 



The genital organs consist of the following parts : the mons Veneris 

 and external labia, the clitoris and internal labia, and the vestibule with 

 the meatus urinarius. Within the external labia is the aperture of the 

 vagina, with the hymen. Sometimes the term vulva or pudendum is 

 applied to these parts as a whole. 



