416 



THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 



The muscular coat of the uterus consists of smooth muscle whose 

 fibres are of large size (40 to 60 /* in length) and which are dis- 

 posed in interlacing bundles. In the lower mammals these form 

 quite regular layers an outer longitudinal, a thick inner layer, 

 most of whose fibres are circular, and an innermost, but less dis- 



FIG. 336. TRANSECTION OF THE UTERUS OF AN APE. 



a, mucosa ; 6, circular muscle ; c, longitudinal muscle ; d, serous coat ; e, lateral ligament; 

 /, Wolffian tube ; g, blood vessels. . x 4. (After Sobotta.) 



tinct, submucous portion containing oblique and longitudinal 

 fibres. The outer longitudinal and circular layers are separated 

 by a fibro-muscular stratum containing a rich plexus of large 

 blood vessels. 



