766 GENEEATION. 



the function of generation, as regards the male, ceases with the comparatively 

 simple process of penetration of the male element through the protective 

 covering of the ovum and its fusion with the female element. The fecun- 

 dated ovum then passes through certain changes, which are the first processes 

 of its development, forms its attachments to the body of the mother, con- 

 tinues its development, and is nourished and grows, until the foetus at term 

 is brought into the world. It will not be necessary to describe minutely the 

 anatomy of the external parts, as these are concerned only in sexual inter- 

 course and in parturition ; which latter, though a purely physiological pro- 

 cess, forms the greatest part of the science of obstetrics, is considered elabo- 

 rately in treatises on this subject and usually is not treated of to any great 

 extent in works upon physiology, 



The female organs of generation are divided anatomically into internal 

 and external. The external organs are the vulva, the adjacent parts and the 

 vagina. The internal organs are the uterus, Fallopian tubes and the ovaries. 

 The ovaries are the true, female organs, in which alone the female element 

 can be produced. The Fallopian tubes and the uterus are accessory in their 

 uses, the female element, the ovum, passing through the Fallopian tubes 

 to the uterus, where it forms the attachments to the body of the mother, 

 which are essential to its nourishment and full development after fecunda- 

 tion. 



The vagina has a direction, slightly curved anteriorly, which is nearly 

 coincident with the axis of the outlet, or the inferior strait of the pelvis. 

 Projecting into the vagina, at its upper extremity, is the lower part of the 

 neck of the uterus. The uterus extends from the vagina nearly to the brim 

 of the pelvis. It is situated between the bladder and the rectum, and has 

 an antero-posterior inclination when the bladder is moderately distended, 

 which brings its axis nearly coincident with that of the superior strait of the 

 pelvis. With the body erect, the angle of the uterus with the perpendicular 

 is about forty-five degrees. 



The uterus is held in place by ligaments, certain of which are formed of 

 folds of the peritoneum. The anterior ligament is reflected from the ante- 

 rior surface to the bladder ; the posterior ligament extends from the poste- 

 rior surface to the rectum ; the round ligaments extend from the upper angle 

 of the uterus, on either side, between the folds of the broad ligament and 

 through the inguinal canal, to the symphysis pubis ; the broad ligaments ex- 

 tend from the sides of the uterus to the walls of the pelvis. 



The uterus and the broad ligaments partially divide the pelvis into two 

 portions ; and these ligaments, which are formed of a double fold of perito- 

 neum, present a superior, or posterior surface, and an inferior, or anterior sur- 

 face. The superior, or anterior border of this fold is occupied by the Fallo- 

 pian tubes, the peritoneum constituting their outer coat. Laterally, at the 

 free extremities of the tubes, the peritoneum ceases, and there is an actual 

 opening of each Fallopian tube into the peritoneal cavity. Attached to the 

 broad ligament and projecting upon its posterior surface, is the ovary, which 

 is connected with the fibrous tissue betweeii the two layers of the ligament and 



