OCR Text |
Show 374 DR. M. WATSON ON T H E [May 1, of clearness in description, be divided into two parts-(a) the part extending from its commencement as far as the base of the clitoris, and (b) a part extending from base to apex of the clitoris. The first part measures 1| inch in length, and possesses walls of considerable thickness, these being provided with a thick layer of circularly arranged muscular fibres. Where this portion of the common canal becomes continuous with the second portion its floor is pierced by the ducts of two large glands. Cowpers Glands.-These, which appear to correspond to Cowper's glands as figured by Daubenton in the male Hycena striata, lie one on either side of the common canal, the base of the gland being opposite the junction of the urinary and genital passages, whilst from its apex the duct above mentioned is given off. Each gland is pyriform, somewhat flattened, and measures 1| inch in length, and f of an inch in greatest breadth. When cut into, the gland is seen to be solid, and recalls to mind the appearance of a section of salivary gland. The second portion of the urino-genital canal extends along the under surface of the clitoris, lying along the lower border of the united corpora cavernosa of that body, to which it is attached, and finally pierces the glans clitoridis by an opening of small size, which might readily be mistaken for the termination of the male urethra. The walls of this portion of the canal are much thinner than those of its first part, and consist merely of mucous membrane, with a substratum of connective tissue. The mucous membrane of both parts of the common canal is extremely distensible, and is thrown into longitudinal rugse, which are quite continuous at the os with those previously described in the uterus. Clitoris.-The clitoris measures 6| inches in length from root to tip. It is composed of two corpora cavernosa, which form the bulk of the organ. Corpora spongiosa, however, are not absent, although they are altogether subordinate in size of the corpora cavernosa. Each corpus cavernosum is a thick laterally compressed band of erectile tissue enclosed in a fibrous capsule, and, except at the root, where it is attached to the corresponding ischium and forms the crus, is in contact with its fellow of the opposite side along the whole length of the clitoris. At the extremity of the clitoris the two corpora cavernosa terminate abruptly and form the upper hard portion of the glans, the lower portion of that body being formed by the walls of the urino-genital canal. The corpora spongiosa are two in number, but of small size. Each is pyriform, and measures about an inch in length. Each is situated below and in contact with the corresponding crus clitoridis, and has its narrow end directed forwards. This extremity terminates in a vein of considerable size, which runs forward and unites with its fellow of the opposite side. The single vessel is then continued onward, lying in contact with the lower border of the united corpora cavernosa, and above the urino-genital canal as far as the glans. Its mode of termination I could not make out; but in all probability it terminates in branches which enter the corpora cavernosa ; at least, many branches were given off from it to |