FEMALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA 



1277 



Within the depression bounded bj^ the labia majora is a second pair of integu- 

 mental folds, the labia minora (fig. 1037), which differ from the labia majora in 

 being destitute of hairs and fat. They are usually concealed by the labia majora, 

 but are sometimes largely developed and may then project through the rima 

 pudendi, assuming a dried and pigmented appearance. 



The labia minora divide and unite anteriorly over the distal extremity of the clitoris, form- 

 ing the proeputium clitoridis in front of the clitoris, and the frenulum diloridis behind it. Pos- 

 terior to this they diverge and reach their greatest height, gradually diminishing as they pass 

 backward to terminate in a slight, inconstant, transverse fold, the frenulum labiorum pudendi, 

 situated just anterior to the posterior commissure of the labia majora. Anterior to the frenu- 

 lum is the fossa navicularis of the vestibule. 



The vestibule. — The space between the two labia minora is termed the 

 vestibule, and into its most anterior portion there projects the extremity of an 

 erectile organ, the clitoris (fig. 1037), which is comparable to the penis of the male. 

 It is, however, relatively small and is not perforated by the urethra, which lies 

 below it. It is composed of two masses of erectile tissue, the corpora cavernosa 

 clitoridis, which differ from the corresponding structures of the penis only in size. 

 They are attached posteriorly to the rami of the pubis by the crura clitoridis 

 (fig. 1038), and as they pass forward they converge and meet together to form the 

 body of the organ, which, beneath the symphysis pubis, bends sharply upon itself 



Fig. 1038. — Diagrammatic Representation of the Perin.eal Structures in the Female. 



Glans clitoridis 



Pars intermedialis 

 Mucous membrane of 

 vestibule 



Urethral orifice 



Ischio-pubic arch 



Crus clitoridis with 

 ischio-cavernosus 



Bulbo-cavernosus 

 covering bulbus 

 vestibuli 



Inferior layer of uro- 

 genital trigone 



Bulbus vestibuli 



Greater vestibular 

 (Bartholin's) gland 



External sphincter ani 



and passes posterior^ beneath the anterior commissure of the labia majora. 

 Distally the corpora cavernosa abut upon another mass of erectile tissue, which 

 fits like a cap over their extremities; it is formed by an anterior prolongation of the 

 bulbi vestibuh and is termed the glans clitoridis, being comparable to the glans 

 penis, from which it differs only in not being perforated by the urethra. 



A short distance posterior to the glans clitoridis is the opening of the urethra 

 [orificium urethrse externum], situated upon the summit of a slight papilla-like 

 elevation. Lateral to this orifice are sometimes found the openings, one on 

 either side, of two elongated slender ducts, the -paraurethral ducts (ducts of Skene). 

 Still more posteriorly is the external orifice of the vagina [orificium vaginae], 

 partially closed in the virgin by the hipnen. Lateral to this, in the angles between 

 the hymen and the labium minus on either side, is the opening of the greater 

 vestibular gland, while the lesser glands open at various points on the floor of the 

 vestibule, sometimes at the bottom of more or less distinct depressions. 



Beneath the floor of the vestibule and resting upon the superficial layer of the 

 urogenital trigone are two oval masses of erectile tissue, the hulbi vestihidi (fig. 

 1038), homologous with the corpus cavernosum urethrse of the male. They con- 

 sist principally of a dense network of anastomosing blood-vessels, enclosed within 



( 



