FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION 765 



these fringe-like processes are free except one ; and this one, which is 

 longer than the others, is attached to the outer angle of the ovary and 

 presents a little gutter, or furrow, extending from the ovary to the open- 

 ing of the tube. At this extremity, is the abdominal opening of the 

 tube, which is two or three times larger than the uterine opening. 

 Passing from the uterus, the calibre of the tube gradually increases as 

 the tube itself enlarges, and there is an abrupt constriction at the 

 abdominal opening. 



Beneath the peritoneal coat, which is formed by the layers of the 

 broad ligament, is a layer of connective tissue, containing a rich plexus 



A 



Fig. 205. External erectile organs of the female (Liegeois), 



A, pubis; B, B, ischium ; C, clitoris; D, gland of the clitoris; ,bu\b; F, constrictor muscle 

 of the vulva; G, left pillar of the clitoris; H, dorsal vein of the clitoris; /, intermediary plexus; /, vein 

 of communication with the obturator vein ; fC, obturator vein ; M, labia minora. 



of bloodvessels. This constitutes the proper fibrous coat of the Fallo- 

 pian tubes. 



The muscular layer is composed mainly of circular fibres of the non- 

 striated variety, with a few longitudinal fibres prolonged over the tube 

 from the external muscular layer of the uterus. This coat is quite thick 

 and sends bands between the layers of the broad ligament to the ovary. 



The mucous membrane of the tube is thrown into folds, which are 

 longitudinal and transverse near the uterus and are more complicated 

 at the dilated portion. In this portion, next the ovary, embracing about 

 the outer two-thirds, the folds project far into the calibre of the tube. 

 These are sometimes simple, but more frequently they present secondary 

 folds, often meeting as they project from opposite sides. This arrange- 

 ment gives an arborescent appearance to the membrane on transverse 



