196 ABDOMEN 



the anterior parts of the external sphincter of the anus and 

 the levator ani ; then it pierces the base of the fascia of the 

 urogenital diaphragm, and supplies the muscles in the super- 

 ficial pouch, viz., the bulbo-cavernosus, the ischio-cavernosus, 

 and the superficial transverse muscle. It also supplies the 

 deep transverse muscle and the sphincter of the membranous 

 urethra, and gives a branch to the bulb of the vestibule. 



Nervus Dorsalis Clitoridis, The dorsal nerve of the 

 clitoris runs forwards above the internal pudendal artery, and, 

 with that artery, at the anterior end of the canal in the 

 obturator fascia it insinuates itself between the two fasciae of 

 the urogenital diaphragm, between which it continues for- 

 wards along the margin of the pubic arch. About 12 mm. 

 (half an inch) below the apex of the arch it pierces the inferior 

 fascia of the diaphragm and passes to the dorsum of the 

 clitoris, where it will be followed later. Whilst it is between 

 the two fasciae it gives a branch to the crus of the clitoris. 



Dorsal Vessels and Nerves of the Clitoris. On the 

 dorsum of the clitoris a little dissection will display the dorsal 

 vein occupying the groove in the middle line, with a dorsal 

 artery and nerve lying upon each side of it. 



The arteries and nerves should be traced forwards to 

 their distribution in the glans. 



The dorsal vein of the clitoris takes origin in the glans. 

 As it proceeds backwards it receives certain superficial veins, 

 and also tributaries from the corpus cavernosum clitoridis. 

 At the root of the clitoris it passes between the transverse 

 ligament of the pelvis and the arcuate ligament of the pubis, 

 and is continued backwards into the pelvis, to join the plexus 

 of veins on the wall of the vagina in the region of the neck of 

 the bladder. It communicates also with the internal pudendal 

 vein. 



Urethra Muliebris. The female urethra is a short canal, 

 about 38 mm. (one and a half inches) in length, which extends 

 from the neck of the bladder to its orifice in the region of 

 the vestibule. It passes downwards and forwards behind the 

 lower half of the symphysis pubis and the pubic arch, but it 

 is slightly curved with concavity forwards. 



At first it is situated in the pelvis, separated from the 

 symphysis pubis by a pad of retro-pubic fat ; then it pierces 

 the superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm and enters 

 the deep pouch of the urogenital triangle of the perineum, 



