THE UTERUS. 



773 



attached to the peritone- 

 itm. When the uterus is 

 somewhat enlarged after 

 impregnation, there are ob- 

 served oblique and trans- 

 verse, superficial fibres 

 passing over the fundus 

 and the anterior and pos- 

 terior surfaces to the sides. 

 Here they are prolonged 

 upon the Fallopian tubes, 

 the round ligament and 

 the ligament of the ovary, 

 and they also extend be- 

 tween the layers of the 

 broad ligament. This ex- 

 ternal layer is so thin that 

 it can not be very efficient 

 in the expulsive contrac- 

 tions of the uterus; but 

 from its connections with 

 the Fallopian tubes and 

 the ligaments, it is useful 

 in holding the uterus in place. 



FIG. 280. Inner layer of muscular fibres of the uterus 



(LiSgeois). 



FIG. 279. Superficial muscular fibres of the anterior surface of 



the uterus (Li6geois). 



a, a, round ligaments ; 6, b, Fallopian tubes ; c, c, c, e, e, transverse 

 fibres ; d, /, longitudinal fibres. 



It does not extend entirely over the sides of 

 the uterus. 



The middle, muscular layer is 

 the one most efficient in the partu- 

 rient contractions of the uterus. It 

 is composed of a thick and intri- 

 cate net-work of fasciculi interlac- 

 ing with each other in every direc- 

 tion. 



The inner, muscular layer is ar- 

 ranged in the form of broad rings, 

 which surround the Fallopian tubes, 

 become larger as they extend over 

 the body of the uterus and meet at 

 the centre of the organ, near the 

 neck. 



The mucous membrane of the 

 uterus is of a pale, reddish color ; 

 and that portion lining the body is 

 smooth and is so closely attached 

 to the subjacent structures that it 

 can not be separated to any great 



a, a, rings around the openings of the Fallopian tubes ; j. i -i rnt, 



6, 6, circular fibres of the cervix! extent by dissection. 1 here is, m- 



