EGG AND FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



553 



and to supply it with, a little albuminous secretion, its lower por- 

 tions are very much increased in size, and are lined, moreover, with 

 a mucous membrane, so constructed as to provide for the protection 

 and nourishment of the embryo, during the entire period of gesta- 

 tion. The upper and narrower portions of the oviduct are known 

 as the " Fallopian tubes" (Fig. 182) ; while the lower and more 



Fig. 182. 



UTERCP A\D OVARIES OF THE Sow. -,-. Ovarie*. l.J . Fallopian tubes, c, c. Horns of 

 nierux. d. Body of uterus, e. Vagina. 



highly developed portions constitute the uterus. These lower por- 

 tions unite with each other upon the median line near their infe- 

 rior termination, so as to form a central organ, termed the " body" 

 of the uterus; while the remaining ununited parts are known as 

 its "cornua" or "horns." 



In the human subject, the female generative apparatus presents 

 the following peculiarities. The ovaries consist of Graafian follicles, 

 which are imbedded in a somewhat dense areolar tissue, supplied 

 with an abundance of bloodvessels. The entire mass is covered 

 with a thick, opaque, yellowish white layer of fibrous tissue called 

 the " albugineous tunic." Over the whole is a layer of peritoneum, 

 which is reflected upon the vessels which supply the ovary, and is 

 continuous with the broad ligaments of the uterus. 



The oviducts commence by a wide expansion, provided with 

 fringed edges, called the " fimbriated extremity of the Fallopian 

 tube." The Fallopian tubes themselves are very narrow and con- 

 voluted, and terminate on each side in the upper part of the body 

 of the uterus. In the human subject, the body of the uterus is so 

 much developed at the expense of the cornua, that the latter hardly 

 appear to have an existence ; and in fact no trace of them is visible 

 externally. But on opening the body of the uterus its cavity is 



