ABDOMEN AND PELVIS 541 



Peritoneum of Female Pelvis. (Vide Figs. 290, 292, and Spalteholz, 

 Fig. 667.) 



Trace the reflections of the peritoneum in the female pelvis. 

 Establish the relations of the peritoneum to each viscus and the 

 pelvic wall, noting 



(a) Vesico-uterine excavation (excavatio vesico-uterina) . 



(b) Recto-uterine excavation (excavatio recto-uterina) . 



(c) Recto-uterine folds of Douglas (plicae recto-uterinae [Douglasi]). 



(d) Broad ligament of uterus (ligamentum latum uteri). 



(da) Mesometrium (mesometrium) . 



(db) Mesosalpinx (mesosalpinx) . 



(dc) Mesovarium (mesovarium). 



What structures are contained between the two layers of the 

 broad ligaments? 



(e) Suspensory ligament of ovary (Lig. suspensorium ovarii). 



Feel this ligament. Do you feel any vessels in it? If so, what 

 vessels are they? 



Hypogastric Plexus (Plexus hypogastricus) . (Vide Toldt, Fig. 



I333-) 



This plexus is similar to the one in the male. Refer to the 

 pages on the male pelvis for directions as to dissection. The 

 following additional plexuses are found in the female : 



(a) Uterovaginal plexus (plexus uterovaginalis) . 



(b) Cavernous plexus of clitoris (plexus cavernosus clitoridis). 



(ba) Greater cavernous nerve of clitoris (N. cavernosus clitoridis 



major). 



(bb) Lesser cavernous nerves of clitoris (Nn. cavernosi clitoridis 



minor es). 



Pelvic Fascia (Fascia pelvis) in the Female. (Vide Spalteholz, Fig. 



667.) 



To expose the pelvic fascia from above, remove the perito- 

 neum by blunt dissection from the viscera and the pelvic wall. 

 This should be done on one side only. Avoid injury to the ves- 

 sels and nerves. The anterior leaf of the broad ligament may 

 also be left. Study now the following divisions of the fascia : 



(a) Superior fascia of pelvic diaphragm (fascia diaphragmatis pelvis 



superior). 



(b) Tendinous arch of pelvic fascia (arcus tendineus fasciae pelvis). 



(c) Tendinous arch of levator ani muscle (arcus tendineus M. levatoris 



ani). 



(d) Endopelvic fascia (fascia endopelvina) . 



