FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION THE VULVA. 977 



ORGANS OF GENERATION" IN THE FEMALE. 



The generative organs in the female consist of the ovaries, uterus, and 

 Fallopian tubes, which are named the internal, and the vagina and vulva, 

 named the external organs of generation. 



THE VULVA. 



The vulva, or pudendum, is a general term, which includes all the parts 

 perceptible externally, viz., the rnons Veneris, the labia, the hymen or 

 caruncul*? , the clitoris, and the nyinphse. The urethra also may be described 

 in connection with these parts. 



The integument on the fore part of the pubic symphysis, elevated by a 

 quantity of areolar and adipose substance deposited beneath it, and covered 

 with hair, is termed the mons Veneris. The labia pudendi (labia externa 

 v. majora) extend downwards and backwards from the mous, gradually be- 

 coming thinner as they descend. They form two rounded folds of integu- 

 ment so placed as to leave an elliptic interval (rimd) between them, the 

 outer surface of each being continuous with the skin, and covered with 

 scattered hairs, whilst the inner is lined by the commencement of the 

 geni to-urinary mucous membrane. Between the skin and mucous mem- 

 brane there is found, besides fat, vessels, nerves, and glands, some tissue 

 resembling that of the dartos in the scrotum of the male. The labia majora 

 unite beneath the mons and also in front of the perineum, the two points 

 of union being called commissures. The posterior or inferior commissure is 

 about an inch distant from the margin of the anus, and this interval is 

 named the perineum. Immediately within the posterior commissure, the 

 labia are connected by a slight transverse fold (frcenulum pudendi), which 

 has also received the name of fourchette, and is frequently torn in the first 

 parturition. The space between it and the commissure has been called 

 fossa navicularis. 



Beneath the anterior commissure, and concealed between the labia, is the 

 clitoris, a small elongated body corresponding in conformation and structure 

 to a diminutive penis, but differing in having no corpus spongiosum nor 

 urethra connected with it below. It consists of two corpora cavernosa, which 

 are attached by crura to the rami of the ischium and pubes, and are united 

 together by their flattened inner surfaces which form an incomplete pectini- 

 form septum. The body of the clitoris, which is about an inch and a half 

 long, but is hidden beneath the mucous membrane, is surmounted by a 

 small glans, consisting of spongy erectile tissue. The glans is imperforate, 

 but highly sensitive, and covered with a membranous fold, analogous to the 

 prepuce. There is a small suspensory ligament, like that of the penis ; and 

 the two ischio-cavernous muscle?, named in the female erectores clitoridis, 

 have the same connections as in the male, being inserted into the crura of 

 the corpora cavern osa. 



From the glans and preputial covering of the clitoris two narrow pendu- 

 lous folds of mucous membrane pass backwards for about an inch and a 

 half, one on each side of the entrance to the vagina. These are the nymphce 

 (labia interna v. miuora). Their inner surface is continuous with that of 

 the vagina ; the external insensibly passes into that of the labia majora. 

 They contain vessels between the laminae of tegurnentary membrane, but, 

 according to Kobelt, no erectile plexus ; indeed, they would seem to corre- 

 spond to the cutaneous covering of the male urethra (supposed to be split 



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