IQO ABDOMEN 



Perineal Body. It has been already stated that the term 

 " perineum " is confined by the obstetrician to the area 

 between the frenulum pudendi and the anus. At this stage 

 of the dissection it will be obvious that the region in question 

 is occupied by an indefinite mass of fibrous and muscular 

 tissue, which occupies the interval between the anal canal 

 and the vagina. The mass is known as the perineal body. 

 Muscular tissue belonging to the sphincter ani, levatores ani, 

 and bulbo-cavernosus, together with the central point of the 

 perineum, enter into its constitution. 



Dissection. The bulbo-cavernosus should now be carefully 

 raised from the surface of the bulb of the vestibule, and the 

 ischio-cavernosus from the surface of the crus clitoridis. The 

 transversus perinei superficialis may be removed at the same 

 time. 



Bulbus Vestibuli. When the above dissection is com- 

 pleted the bulb of the vestibule is displayed. It consists 

 of two oblong bodies, composed of erectile tissue, placed one 

 on each side of the vestibule and entrance to the vagina. 

 Each half is invested by a fibrous capsule which binds it closely 

 to the inferior surface of the inferior fascia of the urogenital 

 diaphragm. It is relatively broad posteriorly, but narrows as 

 it passes forwards, and in front, between the urethra and the 

 clitoris, the two halves are united by a venous plexus, called 

 the pars intermedia, which is itself continuous in front with 

 the glans of the clitoris. The details of the connections 

 mentioned cannot usually be seen in an ordinary dissecting- 

 room part, but they are quite obvious in a specially injected 

 specimen. 



The posterior end of each half of the bulb of the vestibule 

 is in contact with and partially overlaps the corresponding 

 larger vestibular gland (Bartolini). The lateral, convex 

 surface is covered by the bulbo-cavernosus muscle and the 

 medial surface is in contact with the wall of the vestibule at 

 its junction with the vagina (Fig. 90). 



The arrangement of erectile tissue of the bulb of the 

 vestibule in the female corresponds, more or less closely, with 

 the condition present in the bulb of the urethra in the male. 

 The apparent dissimilarity is due to the presence of the uro 

 genital fissure and orifice of the vagina. Suppose, for a moment, 

 that the latter was obliterated and that the vestibule was 

 closed to form a canal which carried the urethra forwards to 



