Fig. 148. External Female Genital Organs. (Vulva.) Vestibule. 



The Labia have been drawn apart in order to shew the Vestibule and, in par- 

 ticular, the openings of the ducts of Bartholini's Glands. 



The Labia Majora corresponding to the Scrotum of the male limit the 

 Rima Pudendi which is closed in Virgins when the thighs are adducted; in front 

 these Labia meet, but behind they are lost near the Anus. They are folds of 

 skin usually well-covered with hair and large sebaceous glands, and contain 

 large Veins. 



The Labia Minora are separated by a sulcus from the Labia Majora ; their 

 outer surfaces are covered with skin, their inner surfaces with mucous membrane 

 continuous with that of the Vestibule. In front the Labia Minora bifurcate, the 

 outer portions of either side unite to form the Prepuce of the Clitoris, the inner 

 join below the Clitoris and form the Frenum. The Clitoris which corresponds to 

 the Penis of the Male is usually rudimentary, its extremity (Glans Clitoridis) alone 

 being visible. The posterior ends of the Labia Minora vary much, they may 

 merge into the Labia Majora, or may unite together and form an arch which 

 limits the Vestibule posteriorly. At the posterior junction of the Labia Minora 

 is situated the Fossa Navicularis. 



In the angle between the Labium Minus and the Hymen is situated the 

 opening of the duct of Bartholini's or Duverney's Gland. In front of the 

 Hymen and about midway between the posterior limit of the Vaginal Orifice and 

 the Clitoris is situated the Urethral Orifice which may be of different shapes: — 

 a vertical slit, semilunar or /\ -shaped. 



The projection of mucous membrane behind this — Lingula Urethrae 

 VON Bardeleben — is correspondingly pointed or rounded off. 



The Hymen a reduplication of the mucous membrane at the entrance of 

 the Vagina varies much in shape though generally crescentic from side to side 

 with the broad part of the crescent posterior in situation (prior to Defloration); it 

 may be annular, or fimbriated, even double or fenestrated. During "Defloration" 

 the hymen is usually torn and heals with cicatrices. Fresh lacerations occur 

 during the first labour, these lead to the formation of Carunculae Myrtiformes. 



