978 



FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



open), whilst the erectile structure corresponding to the bulb and spongy 

 body (in two separate right and left halves) lies deeper, as will be presently 

 explained. (Kobelt, Die mannlichen und weiblichen Wollustorgaue, 1844.) 



Fig. 681.* 



Fig. 681.* LATERAL VIEW OP THE EREC- 

 TILE STRUCTURES OP THE EXTERNAL 

 ORGANS IN THE FEMALE (from Kobelt). f 



The blood-vessels have been injected, 

 and the skin and mucous membrane have 

 been removed ; a, bulbus vestibuli ; c, 

 plexus of veins named pars intermedia ; e, 

 glans clitoridis ; f, body of the clitoris ; It, 

 dorsal vein ; I, right crus clitoridis ; m, 

 vestibule ; n, right gland of Bartholin. 



Between the nymphse is the 

 angular interval called the vestibule, 

 in which is situated the circular 

 orifice of the urethra, or meatvs 

 tirinarius, about an inch below the 

 clitoris and just above the entrance 

 to the vagina. The membrane which 

 surrounds this orifice is rather pro- 

 minent in most instances, so as 

 readily to indicate its situation. 



Immediately below the orifice of the urethra is the entrance to the vagina, 

 which, in the virgin, is usually more or less narrowed by the hymen. This 

 is a thin duplicature of the mucous membrane, placed at the entrance to 

 the vagina ; its form varies very considerably in different persons, but is 

 most frequently semilunar, the concave margin being directed forwards 

 towards the pubes. Sometimes it is circular, and is perforated only by a 

 small round orifice, placed usually a little above the centre ; and occa- 

 sionally it is cribriform, or pierced with several small apertures ; and it may 

 in rare instances completely close the vagina, constituting " imperforate 

 hymen." On the other hand, it is often reduced to a mere fringe, or it 

 may be entirely absent. After its rupture, some small rounded elevations 

 remain, called carunculce myrtiformes. 



The mucous membrane may be traced inwards from the borders of the 

 labia majora, where it is continuous with the skin : it forms a fold over the 

 vascular tissue of the nymphse, and is then prolonged into the urethra and 

 vagina. It is smooth, reddish in colour, is covered by a scaly epithelium, 

 and is provided with a considerable number of mucous crypts and follicles 

 and with glands which secrete an unctuous and odorous substance. The 

 mucous crypts and follicles are especially distinct on the inner surface of 

 the nymphse, and near the orifice of the urethra. The sebaceous glands 

 are found beneath the prepuce, and upon the labia majora and outer surface 

 of the nymphee. 



The glands of Bartholin (or of Duverney), corresponding to Cowper's 

 glands in the male, are two reddish yellow round or oval bodies, about 

 the size of a large pea or small beau, lodged one on each side of the 

 commencement of the vagina, between it and the erectores clitoridis 

 muscles, beneath the superficial perineal fascia, and in front of the trans- 

 verse muscles. Their ducts, which are long and single, run forward and 



