From the author’s own design, beautifully illustrating:—
| a. | Fundus (or Base) of the Uterus. | ii. | Round Ligaments. |
| b. | Uterus’ Body. | kk. | Broad Ligaments. |
| c. | Cervix, or Neck. | ll. | Uterine Vessels and Nerves. |
| de. | Vaginal part, forming the Anteriorand Posterior Lips. | mm. | Fringed Extremity of the FallopianTubes. |
| f. | Mouth of the Womb. | nn. | Fallopian Tubes. |
| gg. | Interior of Vagina, illustrating theVaginal Folds. | oo. | Ovaries. |
| h. | Perineum. |
Its anterior surface is concave, and is in relation with the base of the bladder and with the urethra. Its posterior surface is convex and connected to the anterior wall of the rectum for the lower three-fourths of its extent, the upper fourth being separated from the tube by a fold of the peritoneum, the recto-uterine fold, which forms a cul-de-sac between the vagina and rectum. Its sides give attachment superiorily to the broad ligaments, and inferiorily to the Levatores Ani muscles and recto-vesical fascia.
THE UTERUS OR WOMB.
The uterus is the organ of gestation, receiving the fecundated ovum in its cavity, retaining and supporting it during the development of the fetus, and becoming the principal agent in its expulsion at the time of parturition. In the virgin state it is pear-shaped, flattened from before backwards, and situated in the cavity of the pelvis, between the bladder and the rectum. It is retained in its position by the round and broad ligaments (Plate III, ii and kk) on each side, but also by virtue of its anteverted position, and by the vagina and perineum. Its upper end or base (a) is directed upwards and forwards; its lower end, or apex, is directed downwards and backwards in the line of the axes of the inlet of the pelvis. It therefore forms an angle with the vagina. The uterus measures about three inches in length, two in breadth at its upper part, and an inch in thickness, and it weighs from an ounce to one and a half ounces in its healthy condition.
The fundus or base is the upper broad extremity of the organ (a); it is convex, covered by peritoneum, and placed on a line below the level of the brim of the pelvis.
The body (b) gradually narrows from the fundus to the neck. Its anterior surface is flattened, covered by peritoneum in the upper three-fourths of its extent, and separated from the bladder by some coils of the small intestines; the lower fourth is connected with the bladder.
The posterior surface of the body is convex, covered by peritoneum throughout, and separated from the rectum by some convolutions of the intestines.
Its lateral margins are concave and give attachment to the Fallopian tubes (n), above.