THE GENITO-URINARY APPARATUS. 273 



orifice of the vagina; and the internal, consisting of the uterus, 

 ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and vagina, with certain accessories. 



THE UTERUS is a hollow, muscular organ for the reception 

 of the fecundated ovum and the development and expulsion of 

 the fcetus. 



The virgin uterus holds an oblique anterior position in the 

 pelvis, being supported by attachments to the vagina, rectum, 

 bladder, and sides of the pelvis. 



It is in contact with the bladder in front, the rectum behind, 

 and above the small intestine. 



Its shape is pyriform, compressed from before backward, 

 and measures three inches in length, two in breadth, one in thick- 

 ness, and weighs from one to one and a half ounces. 



Fio. 128. 

 Internal female genitals. 



It consists of a neck, fundus, and body. 



The mouth, os uteri, or os tincw, opens into the vagina, 

 being protected by two lips, an anterior thick lip, and a posterior, 

 long and narrow. 



The cavity of the uterus is triangular A from side to side, 

 but a mere slit from before backward, and measures two and 

 one-half inches in its longitudinal diameter. 



The two upper angles are prolonged to communicate with 

 the Fallopian tubes ; the lower angle forms the ostium internum 

 uteri, communicating with the cavity of the cervix. 



Its structure consists of three coats : 



Serous coat, derived from the peritoneum and investing all 

 but the lower anterior quarter; 



