Outlines of the diseases of women.

  • Phillips, John.
Date:
1901
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Outlines of the diseases of women. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    The vagina; The structures known as the perineal body ; The rectum; also, Blood-vessels, lymphatics, and nerves. It will perhaps be more suitable to describe the Contents before proceeding to that of the serous surfaces. Musculature.—On removal of the skin and superficial fascia from the anterior half, we meet with the so-called perineal muscles : these are six in number (three pairs), and are arranged in the form of an isosceles triangle (Fig. 3). They are— 1. Bulbo-cavernosus (b.c.). 2. Erector clitoridis (e.c.). 3. Transversus perinei (t.p.). The first and third pairs meet in a central point called the centrum tendineum ; the bulbo-cavernosus is on either side of the vaginal slit and just external to the bulbi vestibuli, which are cavernous structures as already mentioned. Continuous with the centrum tendineum and passing round the anus is the superficial sphincter ani. The deep layer consists of the coccygeus and levator ani. These are of great importance, as they support the viscera in the pelvic cavity and surround the various structures which traverse the pelvic floor. The Levatores Ani (Fig. 3 : L.ci.) are two in number, and may together be considered as the pelvic diaphragm : each arises in three portions—in front, from the posterior surface of the pubic body and ramus; posteriori}7, from the inner surface of the ischiatic spine; and a median portion between these two origins from the so-called “ white line ” of pelvic fascia. The muscle takes an oblique course downwards and towards the median line, and is inserted in four different divisions: 1. Those fibres inserted into the sides of the apex of the coccyx; 2. Those uniting with their fellows of the opposite side and form- ing a median fibrous raphe from the coccyx to the anus; 3. The majority of the muscle which is inserted into the rectum and unites with the sphincter ani muscle; 4. The anterior fibres, lost upon the walls of the vagina. The Coccygeus is situated immediately behind the first of these four divisions and has a similar action. The Uterus, Tubes, and Ovaries, with the Vagina. (a) The Uterus is a hollow muscular organ roughly pyriform in shape, the narrow end being downwards, and lies in the pelvic cavity between the bladder and rectum. It is composed of the