182 



ABDOMEN 



are covered by skin studded with scattered hairs, whilst 

 medially they are coated with smooth humid integument, the 



free surface of which 

 is lubricated by a semi- 

 solid secretion, de- 

 rived from numerous 

 sebaceous glands 

 which open upon it. 

 During parturition the 

 labia majora are un- 

 folded, and thus give 

 the vagina a greater 

 capability of dilata- 

 tion. 



The labia majora 

 enclose an elliptical 



FIG. 87. Outlet of Female Pelvis. fissure, which is 



termed the rima 



pudendi, or the urogenital fissure, on account of its containing 

 the apertures of the urethra and vagina. 



Labia Minora Pudendi. The labia minora are two pen- 

 dulous folds of integument which lie between the labia majora. 

 They represent the prepuce and part of the ventral portion 

 of the penis of the male. To display them fully the labia 

 majora must be pulled apart ; then they will be seen, placed 

 one on each side of the vaginal orifice. As they pass for- 

 wards they become more prominent, and at the same time 

 converge towards one another. When they reach the clitoris, 

 each terminates by splitting into two divisions or folds. The 

 smaller and lower folds are attached to the inferior surface of 

 the clitoris, where they form the frenulum ditoridis. The 

 upper fold arches over the clitoris like a hood, and unites 

 with the corresponding fold of the opposite side to form the 

 prczputium ditoridis. 



A short distance in front of the posterior commissure the 

 posterior extremities of the labia minora are usually connected 

 together by a transverse fold, the frenulun* labiorum pudendi, 

 and immediately anterior to and above that fold, between it 

 and the posterior border of the orifice of the vagina, is a 

 depression, the fossa navicularis. 



The frenulum pudendi may be absent, and if present it is 

 usually ruptured during the first labour. 



