80 



Female Organs of Generation. 



420. The Erectile Organs of the Female. 



The vulva or pudendum includes all the parts perceptible 

 externally, viz : the Mbns Veneris, Labia major a, Labia minora s. Nympliae, 

 the Hymen and the Clitoris. The Labia majora extend from the Mons Vencris, 

 which is covered with hair, downwards to the perinaeum, where they 

 are connected by a transverse fold, the Fraenulum lalnorum ; the two 

 points where they are united are called the a n t e r i o r and p o s t e r i o r 

 commissures; the elliptical interval between the Ijabia majora is 

 called Itima pudcndi. The space between the fraenulurn and posterior 

 commissure is named the Fossa navicularis. The Labia minora are 

 situated within the Labia majora and extend from the clitoris down- 

 wards to become lost one on each side of the orifice of the vagina; 

 at the sides of the clitoris each labium divides into two folds, which 

 surround the Glaus clitoridis^ the inferior folds forming the Fracmdum 

 clitoridis, the superior uniting to form the Praeputium clitoridis. The space 

 between the Labia minora from the clitoris to the entrance of the vagina, 

 is called the vestibule, Vcstibulum vaf/inae : along either side of the vesti- 

 bule are two large oblong masses, consisting of a plexus of veins, the 

 Bulbi vcstibuli. 



The clitoris is a small elongated body corresponding to a 

 diminutive penis, but differing in having no corpus spongiosum nor urethra 

 connected with it below ; it has two Corpora cavcrnosa, a Glans which 

 is irnperforate, a double Fracnulum, a Praeputium and two MM. ischio- 

 cavernosis, called MM. crectorcs clitoridis. The female urethra does not 

 perforate the clitoris, but opens in the vestibule, above the entrance of the 

 vagina, with a rounded orifice, surrounded by a fold of mucous membrane. 

 On each side of the commencement of the vagina the glands o f B a r t h o- 

 line open; these are analogous to Cowper's glands in the male. 



