UTERUS. 359 



are enclosed in the free borders of the broad ligament, and run in 

 a serpentine course from the cul-de-sac of each uterine horn to 

 the ovary. The canal commences at the horn of the uterus by a 

 very minute opening, the ostium uterinum, gradually enlarging 

 inlto a trumpet-shaped tube, which is contracted at its termina- 

 tion, forming a small round orifice, the ostium abdominale, which 

 communicates with the abdomen, thus formincf a direct com- 

 munication between the mucous membrane of the uterus and the 

 serous membrane of the abdomen. The free extremity of the 

 tube terminates in a series of irregular Jlmhrice or fringes, which 

 are arranged in a circle around the ostium abdominale. One of 

 these is adherent to the ovary, and along it is a fissure continuous 

 with the external opening of the tube ; the fimbriae embrace the 

 ovary during sexual, excitement, receiving the ovum on rupture 

 of the ovisac, and conveying it into the Fallopian tube. The 

 walls of these tubes consist of three coats — an external or serous 

 one, derived from the peritoneum ; a middle muscular, continuous 

 with the uterine muscular wall, and consisting of an external 

 longitudinal, and an internal circular layer of smooth fibres ; and 

 an internal mucous coat thrown into longitudinal folds, and con- 

 tinuous with that of the uterus. Ciliated epithelium lines both 

 the tubes and the inner surface of the fimbriae, changing to 

 endothelium as the mucous and serous membranes unite. 



Between the ovary and Fallopian tube, in the folds of the 

 broad ligament, may be found an isolated bunch of small radi- 

 ating tubes termed the Par-ovarium. 



UTERUS. 



The uterus, or womb, is a musculo-membranous sac situated in 

 the sublumbar region and pelvic cavity ; it consists of a body and 

 two cornvxi. 



The body is cylindrical and somewhat flattened ; its superior 

 surface contacts the rectum, which passes between the horns, while 

 the suspensory or broad ligaments are attached laterally ; the 

 inferior surface and borders are related with the bladder and 

 intestinal convolutions : the anterior extremity, or fundus, is 

 continuous with the comua ; the posterior is continuous with the 

 vagina, constituting the cervix, or necJc, which is thick, round, 

 and projecting in the virgin animal. In the centre is a 

 transverse aperture or fissure, opening into the vagina, and closed 



