Dr. Conquest's outlines of midwifery : intended as a text-book for students, and a book of reference for junior practitioners.

  • Conquest, Dr.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Dr. Conquest's outlines of midwifery : intended as a text-book for students, and a book of reference for junior practitioners. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    wards, and when they have reached the upper part of the orificium vaginoa they disappear. Their inner surface is abundantly studded with sebaceous glands. The principal uses of the nymphaj appear to be, to admit of greater dilatation of the parts during par- turition, and to direct the stream of urine. On separating the nymphte, the orificium urethra:, or meatus urinarius, is seen, having an elevation sur- rounding its lower segment, and situated about an inch below the clitoris, and the tliird of an inch above the entrance into the vagina. [Between the jneatus urinarius and symphysis pubis a smooth furrow is seen. This part is about an inch long, and is termed the vestihulum. It affords a useful guide to the finger in the operation for intro- ducing the catheter. —J. M. W.] The female urethra does not exceed two inches in length, having a much larger calibre than the same canll in men. Its inner surface is a continuation of the mucous lining of the bladder, and is liberally supplied with lacunte or foUicular glands, which secrete mucus to lubricate the parts, and defend them from the irritation that might otherwise be produced by the urine. One large lacuna is found on each side of the orifice. The course taken by the urethra is that of a straight line along the upper part of the vacrina, where it may be felt as a cord; but, on reaching the inner edge of the symphysis pubis, it becomes curved upwards. _ [The term Vulva is often used as a general desig- nation for the whole of the external organs of gene-