62O 



ABDOMEN 





,, 



The following structures lie in the wall of the pelvis outside 

 the pelvic fascia : 



The middle sacral vessels. 



The parietal branches of the hypogastric vessels after 



they have pierced the fascia. 

 The sacral and sacro-coccygeal plexuses. 

 The pelvic parts of the sympathetic cords. 



General Position of the Viscera. The/^/wV colon lies in 

 the hinder and upper part of the cavity, and its loops tend to 

 __. _ overlap the other viscera. 



r^^'^C. \-\\\ The rectum occupies the lower 

 and posterior part of the 

 cavity, and is adapted to the 

 concavity of the sacrum and 

 coccyx. The bladder and 

 urethra are situated in front, 

 the former lying against the 

 bodies of the pubic bones. 

 The uterus and vagina occupy 

 an intermediate position; and 

 the uterine appendages lie 

 laterally between the uterus 

 and the side walls of the 

 pelvis. 



Peritoneum. As the peri- 

 toneum descends from the 

 posterior abdominal wall into 

 the pelvis, it gives a complete 

 covering to the pelvic colon 

 and attaches it to the anterior 

 surface of the sacrum by a 



the Urethra, Vagina, and Anal Canal, pelvic mCSO-Colon. At a lower 

 a short distance above their termina- level it gives a partial COVCr- 



ing to the rectum, first clothing 

 it on its anterior and lateral 

 surfaces, then on its anterior 

 surface alone. Finally, it quits the gut about three inches 

 above the level of the anus, and is reflected on to the upper 

 part of the posterior wall of the vagina, upon which it ascends 

 to the uterus. It covers the whole of the supra-vaginal 

 portion of the posterior surface of the uterus, and reaching the 

 fundus turns over and descends on the anterior surface of 



FIG. 24$. Horizontal section through 



tions. (Henle.) 



Ua. Urethra. I 

 Va. Vagina. I 



L, Levator ani. 

 R. Rectum. 



