The Fallopian Tubes.—(f. f. Plates I and II.)—These are two Tubes, one on each side, beneath the Ovaries, and extending farther. Each of them has a small passage which opens into the uterus at one end, and opposite the Ovaries at the other. Their use is to convey the impregnating principle to the Ovaries, at the time of conception, and to convey the Ovæ, when impregnated, to the interior of the Womb.
The Uterus, or Womb.—(B. Plates I, II.)—This is a hollow organ, placed between the Bladder, which is in front, and the Rectum, which is behind. It is connected with the Vagina, and opens into it by the small orifice called the mouth of the womb.—(g. Plate I.)—The Uterus is the organ which receives the impregnated ovum, and in which it is developed into the human being. It is connected with the Ovaries by the Fallopian Tubes, and with the Vagina by the Os Tincæ, and is retained in its situation partly by its connections with other organs, and partly by the round and broad ligaments.
The Vagina.—(C. Plate I.)—This is the passage which leads to the Womb from the external opening.
The Os Tincæ, or Mouth of the Womb.—(g. Plates I and II.)—This is the small orifice, opening into the Vagina, by which communication is established with the Uterus from without.
The Bladder.—(A. Plates I and II.)—The Receptacle of the Urine. It is placed immediately in front, on the pubic bone, the Uterus lying nearly on the top of it.
The Rectum, or Termination of the large Intestine. (D. Plates I and II.)—This is situated behind the Vagina, and between it and the back bone.
The Broad Ligaments.—(s. Plate III.)—These are two broad folds of membrane, which serve partly to enclose the Fallopian Tubes and Ovaries, and partly to sustain the Womb in its place. They adhere to the Uterus and to the walls of the Pelvis.
The Round Ligaments.—(r. r. Plates II and III.) These two cords arise from each upper corner of the Uterus, and curving downwards are fixed by their other extremities to the pubic bone. They are partly enclosed in the Broad Ligaments. They assist in sustaining the Uterus in its position, and probably also they strengthen the Broad Ligaments and prevent their rupture when the strain upon them is too great.
Fimbriæ of the Fallopian Tubes.—(t. t. Plate III.) These Fimbriæ are like Tentaculæ, or fingers, springing from the extreme ends of the Tubes, and floating loosely in the cavity of the pelvis. Their use is to clasp hold of the ovaries at the time of conception, so that the fecundating principle can reach them, and also to take up the ovæ when impregnated, and convey them into the Tube, down which they pass into the Womb.