The diseases of women : a handbook for students and practitioners / by Sir John Bland-Sutton and Arthur E. Giles.

  • Bland-Sutton, John, Sir, 1855-1936.
Date:
1916
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The diseases of women : a handbook for students and practitioners / by Sir John Bland-Sutton and Arthur E. Giles. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    39/596 (page 19)
    CHAPTER II ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE PELVIC ORGANS The female pelvic organs are a series of structures adapted to the function of childbearing. The dominant organs of sex are the ovaries, in which ova are produced. The acces¬ sory organs are concerned with impregnation by the male, fertilization of the ova by the spermatozoa, incubation of the oosperm, or fertilized ovum, and expulsion of the mature foetus into the outside world when the time is ripe. Thus the external organs form collectively the vulva, ;’n parts of which are found the peripheral end-organs con¬ cerned in sexual sensation, as well as glands whose mucous secretion acts as a lubricant. The vagina is adapted to receive the male organ, and its entrance is guarded in the virgin by a membranous fold, the hymen. Into the deeper part of the vagina projects the uterus, through which the spermatozoa pass up to reach the ova, and in which the fertilized ovum, on its descent, is anchored to allow of the development of the embryo. From the upper part of the uterus project the Fallopian tubes, one on each side, forming the channels of communication between the ovaries and the uterus. The spermatozoa pass up into these tubes and there meet and impregnate the ovum as it journeys towards the uterus. Finally, the descriptive anatomy of the pelvic organs includes an account of the connective tissue structures that serve to hold them in place and to support the blood¬ vessels, nerves, and lymphatics with which they are supplied. It will be convenient to begin with the description of the external organs. THE VULVA The vulva is fringed with hair in the adult, and is bounded in front by a prominence over the pubic bone