FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 210 



The vas deferens occupies the posterior part of the sper- 

 matic cord, and is easily distinguishable by its cord-like 

 feel. Its course has been already described (p. 214). 



The spermatic cord, besides the vas deferens, is made up 

 of the spermatic artery and veins, and numerous lymphatics, 

 which terminate in the lumbar glands. The spermatic veins 

 ire extremely subject to enlargement, constituting the 

 mdition known as varicocele, and always make up a very 

 msiderable portion of the cord ; they may be seen com- 

 jncing at the lower part of the testicle in numerous small, 

 rtuous branches, which surround the vas deferens, and are 

 tiled the rete pampiniforme ; these, gradually enlarging, 

 lally terminate in the single trunk of the spermatic vein, 

 or near, the external abdominal ring. The cord also 

 mtains the spermatic plexus of nerves, which, coming 

 mi the aortic and renal plexuses, accompanies the sper- 

 latic artery. The genital branch of the genito-crural nerve 

 id the scrotal branch of the musculo-cutaneous nerve (p. 

 ), are elements of the cord; and the cremaster muscle 

 . 165), variably developed, the spermatic fascia and the 

 >ro-cellular remains of the tube of peritoneum, once com- 

 Limicating with the abdominal cavity, also make up a large 

 >rtkm of its bulk. 



FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



The relations of the. organs peculiar to the female sex 

 have been already studied; it remains to examine, in de- 

 tail, the uterus and its appendages, including the external 

 organs, or vulva. The latter will be examined first. 



The prominence of the pubes, covered with a develop- 

 ment of hair, is called the mons Veneris. Extending down- 

 ward from this are the labia majora, composed of two folds 

 of integument, meeting above and below, filled with fat and 

 cellular tissue, and lined internally with mucous membrane; 

 the round ligament of the uterus terminates in these 1 . Infe- 

 riorly, upon separation, a transverse fold will be seen 

 stretching across between them, called the fourchette ; in 

 women who have borne children, this is usually destroyed. 

 Superiorly will be noticed the clitoris, a small projecting 

 body, analogous to the penis of the male, composed of two 

 corpora cavernosa, attached on each side to the ramus of 

 the ischium, and receiving the insertions of the erector 

 clitoridis muscle. The clitoris is composed, like the penis, 



