392 THE GENITO-URINARY SYSTEM 



abnormally lax, and they give rise to the same symptoms of 

 referred pain as acute anteflexion. If, however, the retro- 

 verted uterus becomes pregnant, as the organ enlarges it is 

 caught below the promontory of the sacrum and prevented 

 from ascending into the abdomen. Under these circumstances, 

 the enlarging uterus exercises pressure on the other pelvic 

 viscera, which cannot get out of the way as they are anchored 

 in position by the peritoneum. Constipation is present but 

 does not necessarily attract the patient's attention. On the 

 other hand, frequency of micturition becomes very oppressive 

 and warns the patient that all is not well. If the retroverted 

 gravid uterus is replaced in the normal position of anteversion, 



FIG. 138. Diagram of t a Transverse Section through the Uterus 

 and the Broad Ligaments, near the lower borders of the latter, 

 showing the relation of the uterine artery to the ureter. 



the pregnancy will then in all probability pass to full time, but, 

 unless this is effected, abortion at or shortly after the third 

 month is inevitable. 



The BLOOD-SUPPLY OF THE UTERUS is derived from the 

 uterine and the ovarian arteries (p. 395). The uterine artery 

 arises from the hypogastric (internal iliac) and runs forwards 

 across the floor of the pelvis till it reaches the base of the 

 broad ligament. It then turns and runs medially in the lowest 

 part of the broad ligament, and three-quarters of an inch from 

 the uterus it crosses above and in front of the ureter, as the 

 latter passes forwards to reach the bladder. On reaching the 

 lateral aspect of the cervix, the uterine artery gives off a small, 

 descending vaginal branch and turns upwards along the lateral 

 border of the uterus to supply the organ. In the operation of 



