Woman | Page 9

vasectomy in the male).

=The Uterus.= The uterus or womb is the organ in which the fertilized
ovum, or egg, grows and develops into a child. It is a hollow muscular
organ, about the size of a pear, with thick walls, capable under the
influence of pregnancy of great expansion and growth. The broad part
of the pear is called the body of the uterus; the lower narrow part is
called the neck of the uterus, or cervix. The uterus in the adult girl or
woman is about three inches long, two inches broad in its upper part
and nearly an inch thick. It weighs from an ounce to an ounce and a
half. When the uterus is in a pregnant condition, it increases
enormously, both in size and in weight, as we will see in a future
chapter. The cavity of the uterus is somewhat triangular in shape; at
each upper angle is the small opening communicating with the
Fallopian tube; the upper portion of the uterus is called the fundus; the
external opening of the womb, situated in the center of the cervix, is
called the mouth of the womb, or the os, or external os.
[Illustration: 1. OPENINGS INTO THE FALLOPIAN TUBES. 2.
MOUTH OF THE WOMB.]
The uterus is situated in the center of the pelvis, between the bladder
and the rectum. It is supported by certain ligaments, the chief of which
are the broad ligaments; but, on account of general weakness, too hard
physical labor, or lifting heavy weights, the ligaments may stretch, and
the uterus may sink down low in the vagina, and we then have the
condition known as prolapse of the womb. Or, the womb may turn
forward, when we have a condition of anteversion. If the womb is bent
(or flexed) forward on itself the condition is called anteflexion. If the
womb is turned backwards, the condition is called retroversion; if it is
bent or flexed backward upon itself the condition is called retroflexion.
An extreme degree of anteversion or anteflexion, or retroversion or
retroflexion, may interfere with impregnation, as the spermatozoa may
find it difficult or impossible to reach the opening of the womb--the
external os.
[Illustration: (Female Reproductive Organs)]
The entire cavity of the uterus is lined by a mucous membrane;[1] this
mucous membrane is called the endometrium (endo--within;

metra--uterus). An inflammation of the endometrium is called
endometritis. It is the endometrium that is principally concerned in
menstruation--that is, it is from it that the monthly discharge of blood
comes.
=The Vagina= [vagina in Latin--a sheath]. The vagina is the tube or
canal which serves as a passage-way between the uterus and the outside
of the body. It extends from the external genitals or vulva to the neck of
the womb, embracing the latter for some distance. It is a strong,
fibromuscular canal, lined with mucous membrane. It is not smooth
inside, but arranged in folds, or rugæ, so that when necessary, as during
childbirth, it can stretch enormously and permit the passage of a child's
head. The length of the vaginal canal is between three and five inches,
but it is in general much more capacious in women that have borne one
or more children than in those who have not borne any.
Near the vaginal entrance are situated two small glands; they are about
the size of a pea, and secrete mucus. They are called Bartholin's glands;
occasionally they become inflamed and give a good deal of trouble.
[Illustration: ANTEVERSION OF THE UTERUS.]
[Illustration: ANTEFLEXION OF THE UTERUS.]
[Illustration: RETROVERSION OF THE UTERUS.]
[Illustration: RETROFLEXION OF THE UTERUS.]
=The Hymen= [hymen in Greek--a membrane]. The external opening
of the vagina, in virgins, that is, in girls or women who have not had
sexual intercourse, is almost entirely closed by a membrane called the
hymen. The vulgar name for hymen is "maidenhead." The hymen may
be of various shapes, and of different consistency. In some girls it is a
very thin membrane, which tears very readily; in others it is quite tough.
On the upper margin or in the center of the hymen there is an opening
which permits any secretion from the vagina and the blood from the
uterus to come through. In rare cases there is no opening in the hymen,
that is, the vagina is entirely closed. Such a hymen is called imperforate

(not perforated). When the girl begins to menstruate, the blood cannot
come out and it accumulates in the vagina. In such cases the hymen
must be opened or slit by a doctor. In some cases the hymen is
congenitally absent; that is, the girl is born without any hymen. While
the hymen is usually ruptured during the first intercourse, it, in some
cases, being elastic and stretchable, persists untorn after sexual
intercourse. It will therefore