PELVIS MINOR 



477 



the rectum ; and the uterine appendages lie laterally between 

 the uterus and the side walls of the pelvis minor. 



Peritoneum. As the peritoneum descends from the 

 posterior abdominal wall into the pelvis, it gives a complete 

 covering to the pelvic colon and attaches it to the anterior 

 surface of the sacrum by a pelvic meso-colon. At a lower 

 level it gives a partial cover- 

 ing to the rectum, first clothing 

 it on its anterior and lateral 

 surfaces, then on its anterior 

 surface alone. Finally, it 

 quits the gut about 7 cm. 

 (three inches) above the level 

 of the anus, and is reflected 

 on to the upper part of the 

 posterior wall of the vagina 

 (Fig. 220), upon which it 

 ascends to the uterus. It 

 covers the whole of the supra- 

 vaginal portion of the posterior 

 surface of the uterus, the 

 fundus or upper extremity, 

 and the upper two-thirds of 

 the anterior surface of the 

 uterus ; then it is reflected 

 on to the fundus of the blad- 

 der. As the peritoneum 

 passes forwards from the 

 uterus to the bladder it forms 

 two slightly marked folds, 

 one on each side, which are 

 called the vesico-uterine folds. 

 The vagina, therefore, receives 

 a partial covering of peritoneum posteriorly, but is altogether 

 devoid of peritoneum anteriorly. The whole of the supra- 

 vaginal portion of the posterior surface of the uterus is 

 covered, but only the upper two-thirds of the anterior surface. 

 From each lateral border of the uterus the peritoneum ex- 

 tends laterally in the form of a wing-like fold, the broad 

 ligament^ which connects the uterus with the side wall of the 

 pelvis. 



From the upper surface of the bladder the peritoneum 



FIG. 221. Horizontal section through 

 the Urethra, Vagina, and Anal Canal, 

 a short distance above their termina- 

 tions. (Henle.) 



Ua. Urethra. I L. Levator ani. 

 Va. Vagina. I R, Rectum. 



