Lectures on the development of the gravid uterus / by William O. Priestley.
- Priestley, William Overend, 1829-1900.
- Date:
- 1860
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Lectures on the development of the gravid uterus / by William O. Priestley. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
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![8G removing the neurilemma entirely, there was no difference between the size of the nerves in the non-pregnant and gravid uterus. It must be admitted, however, that reasoning analogically, and from what we know concerning the distribution of nerves in other parts of the body, the inference is on the side of those who assert that the uterine neiwes enlarge during pregnancy. \Mierever we have large vessels ramifying, there we have nerve-filaments in close attendance; and wherever the process of nutrition is actively going on, or a large muscular development present, the supply of nerves to the part bears some sort of direct relation. The researches of Dr Franz Kilian described by Kdlliker, indeed, seem to throw some light on the matter. According to Kilian the extremities of the uterine nerve-tubules before conception are in an undeveloped or embryonic condition, and are scarcely visible; but with the occuiTcnce of ])regnancy tliese tenninal nerve-tubules become inedullated and dark bordered, consentaneously assuming a higher function. The nerves may thus be said to increase potenti- ally in length, while they increase in thickness by additional growth of the fibrous investing sheath ; the latter being especially necessary as a protection to the neiwous tiainks, under tbe i>ressure to which they are exposed during pregnancy and labour. During gestation the cervix uteri undergoes peculiar modifica- tions in texture and form, which need a separate description. With commencing pregnancy, the cervical cavity bounded above and below by the os internum and os externum respectively, becomes expanded, and the secretory functio7i of its mucous follicles exalted. A plug of thick, tenacious mucus forms in this situation, and seals up the uterine cavity proper from the ingress of air or other matters. That portion of the ceiwix uteri which projects into the upper extremity of the vagina requires special attention, as the alterations which occur in it are within reach of a digital examination, and are of considerable value in assisting us to form a correct diagnosis as to the existence of pregnancy. Very shortly after conception the practised hand is able to appreciate that this portion of the cervix is more tumid, softer, and more elastic, yielding to the finger, as Dr Montgomery describes it, ‘a sensation of a softer tissue overlying a fiianer.’ The os uteri changes its transverse form, and feels more rounded; its margins are less distinct, the pouting of the labia uteri rounding 6flf its edges, and the mucous secretion of its surrounding follicles imparting a smoothness not previously possessed. By the aid of the speculum the lower end of the mucous](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22334452_0092.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
