THE FEMALE PELVIS 385 



levatores ani (p. 184), which separate the pelvis proper from 

 the perineum. In the female, the levator ani supports the 

 lateral walls of the vagina in much the same way as it supports 

 the prostate in the male. 



Peritoneum of Female Pelvis. The arrangement of the 

 pelvic peritoneum is of great importance. When a sagittal 

 median section is examined (Fig. 134) it is found that the 

 peritoneum, after covering the upper two-thirds of the rectum, 

 is reflected forwards and comes into relation with the posterior 

 wall of the vagina, which it clothes in its upper fifth or quarter. 

 Ascending over the posterior aspect of the uterus, the peri- 



_. Uterine tube 

 Ovarian artery 

 _ Ovary 



Posterior layer of 

 broad ligament 



Uterine artery 



FIG. 135. Diagram of a Sagittal Section through the Broad Ligament 

 of the Uterus and its contents. The round ligament is shown in 

 contact with the anterior layer of the broad ligament. 



toneum is carried forwards on the fundus and then downwards 

 on the anterior aspect. In this position, however, its relation 

 to the uterus is much less complete than on the posterior 

 aspect, for it passes forwards on to the superior surface of the 

 bladder before reaching the cervix (Fig. 134). 



It will be seen that there are two well-marked peritoneal 

 fossae in the female pelvis, which lie, respectively, in front of 

 and behind the uterus. These fossae are normally occupied 

 by coils of small intestine or of pelvic colon, but they may 

 lodge tumours in connexion with various viscera. 



The uterine (Fallopian) tubes extend laterally from the 

 supero-lateral angles of the body of the uterus, and they are 

 related to a fold of peritoneum, termed the Broad Ligament of 

 25 



