1 84 ABDOMEN 



Clitoris. The clitoris is the homologue of the penis, and, 

 notwithstanding its diminutive proportions, it presents a 

 close resemblance to the male organ both in appearance 

 and structure. It is a minute elongated projection placed 

 behind the anterior commissure, and surmounted by a 

 sensitive rounded tubercle called the glans ; but it is not 

 traversed by the urethra. The manner in which its prepuce 

 and frenulum are formed has already been described. To 

 obtain a proper view of the clitoris the dissectors must lay 

 hold of the glans with the forceps and draw it out from the 

 prepuce. 



Vestibule. The term vestibule is applied to the region 

 which lies between the labia minora and extends from the 

 clitoris in front to the frenulum labiorum pudendi behind. 

 When the labia minora are pulled apart it appears as a tri- 

 angular interval. The vagina, the urethra, and the ducts of 

 the greater vestibular glands open into it. The vagina opens 

 into the posterior part from above. The urethral opening is 

 directly in front of the vaginal opening in the median plane. 

 The duct of the corresponding larger vestibular gland opens, 

 on each side, in the angle between the vnginal orifice and 

 the labium minus. In front of the orifice of the urethra, 

 when the labia minora are pulled apart, there is a smooth 

 triangular piece of mucous membrane which forms the upper 

 boundary of the anterior part of the vestibule between the 

 opening of the urethra and the clitoris. The vestibule opens 

 below into the cleft between the labia majora (Fig. 226). 



Orificium Urethrse. The orifice of the urethra lies close 

 to the opening of the vagina, about 25 mm. (one inch) 

 behind the clitoris. It usually presents the appearance of a 

 vertical slit, and the mucous membrane around it is prominent, 

 pouting, and slightly puckered, so that when the tip of the 

 finger is passed over the roof of the anterior part of the vestibule 

 the opening can readily be distinguished by touch. 



Orificium Vaginae. The vaginal orifice, in the virgin, is 

 partially closed by the hymen formed by two semilunar folds 

 of mucous membrane attached to the sides of the entrance 

 to the vagina, and united together anteriorly and posteriorly. 

 The form of the hymen, however, is very variable. Some- 

 times it is present in the shape of a septum attached around 

 the entire circumference of the vaginal entrance, but 

 pierced in the centre by a circular opening or an antero- 



