242 MANUAL OF HISTOLOGY. 



cular papillae of the mucous membrane extend. In the latter 

 coating are found numerous elastic fibres in the fasciculi of 

 connective tissue ; bundles of smooth muscular cells are also 

 present. Tubular glands, lined with ciliated columnar epithe- 

 lium at their fundus, have been described as existing in the 

 mucous membrane of the vagina by Preuschen. Hennig also 

 speaks of similar glands being present in this membrane. The 

 submucous tissue is very vascular and loose in texture. The 

 muscular coat consists of an internal longitudinal and an ex- 

 ternal circular layer of smooth muscular fibres, between which 

 are many oblique connecting fasciculi. The external fibrous 

 tissue is loose in texture, and has embedded in it the external 

 venous plexus. 



The vascular system of the vagina is composed of arteries, 

 veins, a venous plexus, and capillaries. The plexus is met 

 with in the folds of the vagina. It is a cavernous structure 

 possessing smooth muscular fibres, and has an arrangement of 

 trabeculfe similar to that found in other erectile organs. 



The lymphatics and nerves of the mucous membrane of the 

 vagina are abundant. The latter form networks in which there 

 are found ganglion-cells, in groups or single ; as in the male 

 genitals, these cells are of two sizes. The ultimate terminations 

 of the nerve-fibres are as yet undetermined. The fluid secreted 

 by this membrane has an acid reaction. 



The urethra possesses a mucous membrane covered by a 

 transitional epithelium at its upper portion, the superficial 

 layer of cells being short cylinders, which gradually become 

 shorter, until the deepest layer is seen made up of rounded cells. 

 The lower portion of the canal has a lining of laminated pave- 

 ment-epithelium similar to that of the vestibule. The mucous 

 membrane has numerous papillae extending into the epi- 

 thelium. In this layer are seen at places many lymph-corpus- 

 cles, sometimes amounting to an infiltration, when it may be 

 considered as adenoid in nature. The submucous tissue is 

 mostly composed of venous networks ; it is in fact a cavernous 

 tissue. As in the male, there are present in the mucous mem- 

 brane the glands of Littre, seen especially abundant near the 

 meatus urinarius. The muscular coat of the urethra consists 

 of an internal longitudinal and an external circular layer of 

 smooth muscular fibres ; in the external layer are also the 



