f—The neck of the womb.
g—The vagina.
h—The rectum, or end of the intestines.
The subjoined drawing illustrates the shape and appearance of the womb detached from the body:—
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To particularize: The upper part is called the fundus; the widest part, the body; the neck, the narrow part; and the lower portion the mouth, or the os tincæ. The connexion of the fallopian tubes is well shown.
The uterus, or womb, is described by physiologists as being of a spongy structure—a structure that yields with its enlargement—that grows with its growth—that resumes the former size when disburdened of its contents. It is supplied with blood-vessels, is duly supported, has scarcely a cavity when unimpregnated, but is ever in a state of preparation for changes. Of conception we shall presently treat.
There is one function too important to omit in this place, and this is menstruation—a term indicating a monthly periodical discharge that escapes, or which is given off, from the womb. At the commencement of this function, woman is said to have arrived at puberty; but there are cases of precocity, and others wherein it never occurs, that neutralize this assertion; besides, menstruation, being deferred or protracted, depends frequently upon peculiarities of health. As soon, however, as it occurs, a sensible change takes place in the female economy; and certainly the other developments of womanhood rapidly follow.