446 



The Perineum 



vagina, Cowper's glands becoming the vulvo-vaginal glands, and the 

 accelerator urinae the sphincter vaginae The two lateral triangles 

 now become insignificant by the half of the accelerator being displaced 

 outwards towards the erector penis (clitoridis). (See fig. on p. 440.) 



Sometimes the perineum is ruptured during labour, the vulva 

 being torn through even into the rectum. If the woman be at once 

 laid upon her side, the knees being tied together, immediate union 

 may be secured. If, however, the repair be not thus established, the 

 surgeon waits until she has regained health and strength, when he 

 freshens up the torn surfaces and approximates them by sutures. 



