PELVIS 643 



of the pubes to the central point of the perineum, closely 

 embrace the vagina, and act as a superior or second sphincter 

 of the canal (Figs. 249, 252). 



Tubae Uterinae (O.T. Fallopian Tubes). There are two 

 uterine or Fallopian tubes, one on each side, and their function 

 is to convey ova from the ovaries to the uterus. Each tube 

 is about four inches long, and it is contained, in the greater 

 part of its length, in the medial four-fifths of the upper 

 border of the broad ligament. Its medial end pierces the 

 uterus at the junction of the body and fundus. At a short 

 distance from its lateral end it pierces the surface of the 

 broad ligament, curls over the upper pole of the ovary, and 

 opens into the peritoneal cavity by a constricted orifice, the 

 ostium abdominale, which is surrounded by a number of fringe- 

 like processes called the fimbrice. By one of these fimbrise, 

 fimbria ovarica, it is attached to the tubal or upper pole of 

 the ovary. Its calibre is by no means uniform. As it is traced 

 from the uterus it is at first very narrow, scarcely admitting 

 a bristle. This portion is the isthmus tubce uterince. More 

 laterally it dilates considerably, and becomes convoluted and 

 less closely attached to the peritoneum of the broad ligament. 

 This part is called the ampulla tubce. uterince, and the fimbrice 

 which are merely the segments of the cleft wall of a funnel- 

 like extremity constitute collectively the infundibulum tubce. 

 uterince. The ovarian fimbria is longer than the others, and 

 is attached along its whole length to the broad ligament. 

 On its surface is a gutter- like groove leading from the 

 constricted mouth of the tube to the ovary. Traced from 

 the uterus the tube runs first laterally, then, at the lateral 

 wall of the pelvis, it turns upwards, and finally, having gained 

 the upper pole of the ovary, it bends downwards and covers 

 the posterior free border and the greater part of the medial 

 surface of the ovary (Fig. 253). 



Ovarium (The Ovary). The ovaries are two small solid 

 bodies, each of which is attached to the posterior surface of 

 the corresponding broad ligament, by a secondary fold of the 

 posterior layer of the ligament called the mesovarium. Each 

 ovary has the form of a slightly compressed ovoid, and is about 

 the size of a pigeon's egg. It presents two flattened surfaces, 

 two extremities or poles, and two borders. 



Its natural or typical position can be studied only in 

 women who have borne no children, for the ovaries become 



