352 



ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 



partially closed by a circular fold of mucous membrane called the 

 hymen. 



The ragged edges left by rupture of the hymen are called 

 caruncula myrtiformes. An imperforate hymen is one which 

 extends entirely across the vaginal orifice, closing it altogether. 

 A little way, laterally, from the middle of the hymen are the 

 openings of the ducts of the glands of Bartholin, one on either 

 side (or vulvo-vaginal glands). Not infrequently they become 

 infected and swell rapidly, forming an abscess. 



THE PERITONEUM OF THE PELVIS 



The peritoneum of the pelvis (Fig. 227) is a portion of the 

 general peritoneum. It lines the pelvic walls, covers the rectum 

 (except the lowest part) and other pelvic organs, and the floor. 



Liver 



G astro-hepatic omentum 

 Stomach ~ 



Transverse colon 



Mesentery 



Small intestine 



Uterus 



Bladder 



Epiploic foramen 

 Pancreas 



Duodenum 



Transverse meso-colon 

 Aorta 



Rectum 



FIG. 227. DIAGRAM OF A SAGITTAL SECTION OF THE TRUNK, SHOWING THE RELA- 

 TIONS OF THE PERITONEUM. (Allen Thompson.) 



In the male pelvis it dips between the rectum and bladder 

 forming the recto-vesical pouch. 



In the female pelvis it forms a utero-vesical pouch in front of the 



