QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 261 



artery of the clitoris in the female, all being branches of the internal 

 pudic artery, pass through the ischial notch, as does the pudic nerve. 



Describe the structure of the vulva. 



The vulva lies immediately beneath the anus and opens exter- 

 nally by means of a vertically elongated slit, bounded by two lips 

 (labia vulvae) which meet above and below to form the superior and 

 inferior commissures. It has two groups of muscles which are 

 chiefly circular and are termed anterior and posterior constrictors. 

 The vulva is lined with mucous membrane, continuous with that of 

 the bladder and vagina. Within the vulvar cavity, about four inches 

 from the exterior and lying on its floor, is the meatus urinarius, the 

 terminal opening of the urethral canal. In the inferior is the clitoris, 

 an erectile organ two or three inches in length, composed chiefly 

 of erectile tissue. 



Describe the mucous membrane of the vulva and state what kind of 

 epithelium covers it. 



It is continuous with that of the vagina and bladder and is 

 rosy-red in color. Near the free border of the labia, it often shows 

 black pigment patches. It contains a great number of mucous fol- 

 licles and sebaceous glands. The epithelium lining the vulva is of 

 stratified pavement type. 



Give the anatomy of the uterus. 



The uterus is a musculomembranous sac, situated in the sublum- 

 bar and pelvic regions of the abdominal cavity. It is related above 

 to the rectum; below, with the bladder; anteriorly and laterally, 

 with intestines, and behind, with the vagina. 



It presents for study a base and two cornua. The base is con- 

 stricted posteriorly to form the cervix (or neck) and communicates 

 with the vagina through a circular opening, the os. The base is 

 continuous with the two cornua, right and left. The cornua have 

 a superior or convex and an inferior or concave curvature, a base 

 continuous with the uterus, and a summit continuous with the 



oviducts. 



The uterus is supported by two broad ligaments which descend 

 from the sublumbar region to the sides of the uterus and cornua, 

 and envelop the ovaries and their ducts; two rudimentary, round 

 ligaments running from the sides of the uterus to the beginning of 



the inguinal canal. 



The uterus is made up of three coats, an outer serous, derived 

 from the peritoneum; a middle, muscular; and an inner, mucous. 



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