66 EXAMINATION OF THE PELVIC VISCERA. 



slightly farther forwards than in the male, and is not so deeply sunk between the 

 nates ; the surrounding skin is usually destitute of hairs. Behind the rectum the 

 parts to be felt are the same as in the other sex. In front, above the perineal body, 

 the first part met with is the soft recto-vaginal septum ; then the cervix and os 

 uteri, and higher up the lower part of the body of the uterus. Any abnormality in 

 the position of the organ or in the state of the pouch of Douglas can also be 

 determined. At each side, besides the structures met with in the male, the 

 resistance caused by the base of the broad ligament may be detected, the ovaries 

 may be felt on bimanual examination, and the outline of the uterus more accurately 

 determined. 



Vaginal examination. In a digital examination of the vagina, the passage 

 is found to be small, and more or less obstructed by the hymen in the virgin, and 

 the mucous membrane is rugose. In a woman who has borne children the parts are 

 more capacious, there is no hymen, and the rugae are no longer felt. The outline 

 of the subpubic arch may be traced in front, and the region of the bladder explored ; 

 behind is the soft recto-vaginal septum ; and on each side the pelvic wall may be 

 examined, and the ovaries can easily be felt on bimanual examination. At the 

 upper end of the vagina, and projecting from the anterior wall, is the cervix uteri, 

 in which the os is to be felt as a transverse slit. 



