448 ANATOMY FOR NURSES [Chap. XXI 



broad ligaments, forms a transverse partition in the pelvic cavity, 

 the bladder, vagina, and urethra being in the front compartment, 

 and the rectum in the l)ack compartment. 



The smooth muscular fibres of the broad ligaments are derived 

 from the superficial muscular layer of the uterus. They pass 

 out between the serous folds and become attached to the pelvic 

 fascia, and thus help to sustain the uterus. 



2. The round ligaments are two rounded, fibro-muscular cords, 

 situated between the folds of the broad ligament. They are about 

 four and a half inches (113 mm.) long, and take their origin from 

 the upper angle of the uterus (on either side) in front and a little 

 below the attachment of the Fallopian tube. They extend forward 

 and outward, and finally end in the tissues of the labia majora 

 and mons Veneris. The round ligaments are composed of muscle- 

 fibres, areolar tissue, blood-vessels, and nerves. 



3. The utero-sacral ligaments extend between the cervix and 

 sides of the rectum. They ser\'e to connect the cervix and % agina 

 with the sacrum, and are partly serous, partly of smooth muscular 

 fibres. 



4. Anterior ligament. — Between the bladder and uterus the 

 peritoneum forms a shallow pouch called the utero-vesical pouch. 

 This peritoneum, which forms the floor of the pouch, is described 

 as the anterior ligament of the uterus. 



5. Recto-vaginal. — Behind the uterus the peritoneum forms 

 a second and deeper pouch called the recto-vaginal, or cul-de-sac, 

 of Douglas. This peritoneum is described as the recto-vaginal 

 ligament. 



Function. — The function of the uterus is to receive the ovum 

 from the Fallopian tubes, and if it becomes fertilized to retain it 

 during its development. Later when the ovum has developed 

 into a mature foetus, it is expelletl from the uterus, chiefly by the 

 contraction of the uterine walls. 



The Vagina. — The vagina is a musculo-membranous canal which 

 encircles the lower portion of the cervix, and extends downward 

 and forward from the uterus to the \Tjlva. 



The posterior wall is about three and a half inches (88 mm.) 

 long, while the anterior wall is only three inches (75 mm.). The 

 front, or anterior wall, is united by connective tissue with the 

 posterior walls of the bladder and urethra, the partition, or septum, 



