Hooper, Robert [Editor]: The Anatomist's Vade-Mecum: Containing The Anatomy, Physiology, Morbid Appearances, &c. Of The Human Body ; The Art of making Anatomical Preparations, &c. To which are added Anatomical, Physiological, Medical, And Surgical Examinations For Students (London, 1811)

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like a sphincter. In the vagina the following are to be
noticed:

1. A number -of lacuna, which excrete the mucus of the
vaginn.

2. In virgins, the hymen, and, where this has been once
ruptured, the carunciilce myrtiformes, or remains of the hy-
men.

3. The meatus urinaria*, immediately under the symphy-
sis pubis, behind the clitoris.

4. The vn^iual p; rtiofli of the uterus, or os uteri.
Arteries. The arteries of the vagina are very numerous ;

they arise from the pudical, forming a net-work around the
vagina. The blood is returned into the hsemorrhoidal vein.

"When women menstruate during pregnancy, the catame-
nia are. furnished by the vessels about the superior part
of the vagina.

Aesorbentf. The absorbents of the vagina are very nu-
merous ; they tend towards the iliac glands, into which they
convey their contents.

Use. The vagina embraces the penis in coition, and, by
its muscular fibres at its origin, and its elastic membranous
substance, accommodates itself to the size of that organ.
The ea!amenia pass from the uterus through the vagina; as
does also the foetus in labour.

, Diseased appearances. Inflammation, or clcutritis—
abscess—gangrene---adhesions of its sides—common ulce-
ration, scrofulous and cancerous—-scirrhous tumour-—morbid
narrowae-s—very short—leucorrhoea—gonorrhoea—elytroceln
—prolapsus—morbid widening from pessaries, polypus, &c.

Operations. Application of pessaries—puacturir.g the
urinary bladder through the vagina—dividing moiiid adhe-