188 VISCERAL ANATOMY. 



Fourchetl^ a small transverse fold just behind the posterior margin of the 

 vaginal orifice. 



Fossa Navicularis, the space between the fourchette and the posterior com- 

 missure of the vulva. 



Glands of Bartholine, one on each side of the vaginal orifice, their ducts 

 opening on the inner sides of the labia minora. They are the analogues of 

 Cowper's glands in the male. 



THE VAGINA. 



Describe the Vagina. It is a curved canal extending from the vulva to 

 the uterus, placed between the bladder and the rectum. Its length is about 4 

 inches along its anterior wall, an inch longer posteriorly, and its walls are 

 usually in contact with each other. It is very dilatable, especially at its upper 

 part. 



Describe its Structure. The vaginal wall consists of a muscular coat 

 externally, a layer of erectile tissue, and a mucous lining covered with squa- 

 mous epithelium, and furnished with mucous glands and follicles. The 



Columns of the Vagina, are two longitudinal raphes situated along its 

 mucous surface, connected by numerous transverse ridges, or Ruga. 



What are the Relations of the Vagina ? They are 

 Anteriorly, the urethra and the base of the bladder. 

 Posteriorly, the anterior wall of the rectum, and the recto-uterine fold of 



peritoneum which forms Douglas 1 cul-de-sac behind its upper fourth. 

 Laterally, are attached the broad ligaments of the uterus, the levatores ani 



muscles, and the recto-vesical fascia. 

 Superiorly, it is attached to the cervix uteri above the os, and higher on the 



posterior wall than anteriorly. 



THE UTERUS AND ITS APPENDAGES. 



Where is the Uterus situated ? In the pelvic cavity, between the bladder 

 and the rectum, and above the vagina. 



Describe the Uterus. It is a hollow, pear-shaped, muscular organ, meas 

 uring about 3 inches long, 2 inches broad, and \ inch thick, flattened from 

 before backwards, placed base upwards, and forming an angle with the vagina, 

 which partially receives its cervix. The 



Fundus,A is broad, convex, having walls ^ inch thick, and is covered by 



peritoneum. 



Body, is about i^ inch long, walls ^ inch thick, flat anteriorly, convex 

 posteriorly, concave laterally, and joined to the bladder by its lower ante- 



