Paper - The development of the hymen

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Taussig FJ. The development of the hymen. (1908) Amer. J Anat. 8: 89-108.

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This historic 1908 paper by Taussig described female genital development.



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Historic Embryology - Genital 
General: 1901 Urinogenital Tract | 1902 The Uro-Genital System | 1904 Ovary and Testis | 1912 Urinogenital Organ Development | 1914 External Genitalia | 1921 Urogenital Development | 1921 External Genital | 1942 Sex Cords | 1953 Germ Cells | Historic Embryology Papers | Historic Disclaimer
Female: 1904 Ovary and Testis | 1904 Hymen | 1912 Urinogenital Organ Development | 1914 External Genitalia | 1914 Female | 1921 External Genital | 1927 Female Foetus 15 cm | 1927 Vagina | 1932 Postnatal Ovary
Male: 1887-88 Testis | 1904 Ovary and Testis | 1904 Leydig Cells | 1906 Testis vascular | 1909 Prostate | 1912 Prostate | 1914 External Genitalia | 1915 Cowper’s and Bartholin’s Glands | 1920 Wolffian tubules | 1935 Prepuce | 1935 Wolffian Duct | 1942 Sex Cords | 1943 Testes Descent | Historic Embryology Papers | Historic Disclaimer


O'Rahilly R. (1977). The development of the vagina in the human. Birth Defects Orig. Artic. Ser. , 13, 123-36. PMID: 361096

Özgüner G, Öztürk K, Bilkay C, Dursun A, Sulak O & Koyuncu E. (2017). Appearance of external genital organs and types of hymen in Turkish female foetal cadavers. J Obstet Gynaecol , 37, 215-222. PMID: 27866459 DOI.
Search PubMed hymen development

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The Development of the Hymen

Fred. J. Taussig
Fred. J. Taussig

Fred. J. Taussig, M.D.

From the Anatomical Laboratory of Washington University, St. Louis.

With 14 Figures.


Introduction

Observations thus far collected concerning the origin and development of the hymen may broadly be divided into clinical and embryological. The clinical evidence is based on the study in adult life of the congenital anomalies such as hymen duplex with double vagina, hymen with absent vagina, etc. The interpretation of these anomalies is very difficult, and their value in an embryological study is really only of a confirmatory nature. Consideration of them alone can never result in a solution of the problem of hymeneal development. The embryological evidence on the development of the hymen is based on gross anatomical dissections, single microscopic sections, and on serial sections of the hymen and its surrounding structures. Accurate conclusions must be based on a correct valuation of these three sorts of evidence. For the proper study of so minute a structure as the fetal hymen, the last named method - serial sections - is of paramount value.


An extensive review of the various opinions on hymeneal development has recently been made by Gellhorn ('04). From the standpoint of time, we may distinguish a convaginal theory, according to which the hymen is formed at the same time as the vagina, and a postvaginal theory, according to which the hymen is formed after the development of the vagina. It is, however, better to classify the various views from the standpoint of origin. They may be grouped under four heads :

  1. Vulvar Theory, Pozzi ('84).
  2. Bilamellate Vulvo-vaginal Theory, Schaeffer ('90).
  3. Uni-lamellate Vulvo-vaginal Theory, Nagel ('97). Budin ('79), Webster ('98), Klein ('94).
  4. Vaginal Theory, Dohrn ('75), Veit ('99), Gellhorn ('04).


(1) Vulvar Theory

Pozzi ('84) bases his theory wholly on the clinical findings in cases of malformation of the genital tract, above all on the presence of a hymen in the absence of the vagina, the occasional occurrence of a urethral hymen, and the presence of a single hymen in double vagina. Such anomalies he believes could only occur if the hymen developed from the vulva or sinus urogenitalis.


(2) Bilamellate Vulvo-vaginal Theory

In 53 out of 190 specimens of fetal hymens (28.8 per cent) Schaeffer ('90) was able to find a more or less distinct double hymen. The two folds were connected by bands of tissue, and according to his theory later coalesce to form the hymen. The one fold springs from the vulva, the other from the vagina. Thus we would have a four-layered hj^men, two layers from each fold.


(3) Uni-lamellate Vulvo-vaginal Theory

Budin ('79) explains this theory in the following way: The hymeneal ring is the outer end of the vagina. The latter opens into the sinus urogenitalis, at the same time pushing the walls of its canal outwards, just as the portio vaginalis uteri protrudes into the vagina. Thereupon an opening forms in the centre, but the peripheral ring-like protrusion remains, covered externally by the mucosa of the urogenital sinus, internally by the vaginal mucosa. Nagel's ('97) description (Fig. 9) differs only slightly from this. He says: "In embryos of the third month there is an increase and accumulation of the upper layers of the epithelium occurring at first just above the vaginal orifice, whereby the vagina becomes dilated at this point (in embryos of 7-10 cms. length). Through this dilatation arises the hymen. For since the edge of the original opening is not affected by the dilatation, the orifice, on the contrary, retaining its original narrowness, a ring must thereby be formed by which the vagina is shut off from the urogenital sinus. The opening of this ring, up to embryos of 20-22 cms. length, remains filled with epithelium." According to this view, therefore, the hymen is made up of a single fold, one side of whieli is formed by the vagina, the other by the vulva.


(4) Vaginal Theory

Dohrns ('75) work supporting this theory is based on median sagittal sections through the pelvis of twenty-five fetuses from the ninth to the twenty-eighth week of development. N"o microscopic study Avas made. From the ninth to the fifteenth week he finds a stronger growth of the posterior wall of the vagina so that its canal becomes wider and bends more sharply forward. From the seventeenth to the nineteenth week there is a marked proliferation of the inner wail of the vagina, so that it seems made up of tooth-like projections. By the beginning of the nineteenth week the hymen is visible as a fold rising from the posterior wall of the vagina directly above the point of entrance of the vagina into the sinus urogenitalis. To meet this a shorter fold from the anterior wall grows downward. The two folds unite, leaving a semi-hmar opening. The growth of the hymen is very rapid. He continues : "Der Umstand dass die Hymenalmembran in der Nahe der Stelle entsteht an welcher sich die Allantois imd Mueller'schen Gange in der Cloake begegnen, und der Sinus Urogenitalis abscheidet, hat wiederholt zu der Yermuthung geflihrt, dass der Hymen mit einem Entwickelungsgebilde der frliheren Zeit in Zusammenhang stiinde. Je genauer man aber die frliheren Entwickelungsstufen in ihrer Weiterbildung verfolgt, desto mehr wird man iiberzeugt, dass ein soleher Zusammenhang nicht vorliegt. Wir haben beim menschlichen Embryo einen langen Zeitraum, den Abschnitt von der 9-17ten Woche, in welchem wir den Mittelstufen zwischen Hymen und den an seiner Entwickelungsstelle friiher zusammengetrolfenen Gebilden nachspiiren konnen. Das Eesultat ist negativ. Der Hymen ist ledigiich eine spiitere Bildung, welche sich nicht in continuirlicher Fortenwickelung an friihere Formen anschliesst." Gellhorn ('04) also holds to the vaginal theory, although I believe ho does not sufficiently emphasize in his article the difference between his conception and the above-mentioned vulvo-vaginal theory. Budin describes the vaginal bulbus as projecting into the urogenital sinus. Into this protruding conus, according to Gellhorn, the vaginal connective tissue grows, so that, with the possible exception of a thin layer of epithelium of the urogenital sinus on the outside, the entire hymen is of vaginal origin.


  • I do not include in this consideration the two embryos liat Klein cut in transverse serial section, hnt only the one sectioned sagittally. Transverse sections, imless some sort of reconstruction is made (and this was not done), are not favorable for a study of the hymen in its relations to neighboring structures, a point which Klein himself concedes.


While it is thus seen that there is no lack of theories, their foundation is for the greater part the most meagre and inconclusive evidence. Only one man so far as I know studied serial sections of the hymen microscopically, and that one - Klein ('94)- - studied but a single case in this way.^ INTo one has thus far made use of serial sections in a number of embryos of various stages of development for an investigation of the hymen. It was this fact that induced me to study the five embryos at my disposal by this method.

They were the following:

  • Embryo 1. 18 cms. long, well preserved. No abnoruialities of development as far as examined.
  • Embryo 2. 18 cms. long, slightly macerated, no abnormalities.
  • Embryo 3. 18 cms. long, well preserved, normal.
  • Embryo 4. 21 cms. long, removed by laparotomy, excellent preservation. No abnormalities in development.
  • Embryo 5. Six months gestation. Legs have been removed for another purpose, hence exact length could not be determined. Preserved in Mueller's fluid. No abnormalities of development.

The measurements of these embryos were taken from the vertex to the heel.


Fig. 1. Median sagittal section at entrance of vagina into urogenital sinus (Embryo 1). It is seen tliat the fold at tlie entrance is in connection partly with the vagina, partly with the sinns. F., fold ; U., urethra ; U. S.. urogenital sinus ; V., vagina. Magnified 20 X.


Paraffin was used in Embryo 1, celloidin in Embryos 2, 3, 4 and 5, as an imbedding medium. All sections were cut sagittally, in series, 25 microns in thickness and were stained, some with van Gieson, some with hematoxylin and eosin.


Before proceeding with the description of the microscopic findings, it will be well to point out the difference between the epithelium of the vagina and that of the urogenital sinus. Sinus epithelium as usually seen in section is a narrow, deeply staining band of small, round or spindle cells, with a nucleus almost filling the cell, whereas vaginal epithelium is a wide mass of large polygonal, faintly staining cells. Only the basal cells of the vagina are small and these take a deeper stain (see Fig. 8a). Klein gives the following measurements:


Sinus epithelium : thickness of entire layer, 0.073 mm. ; cells, 13 microns high, 6 microns broad; protoplasmic mantle about one-third the diameter of the nucleus. Vaginal epithelium : thickness of entire layer, 1.75 mm.; cells, 17-44 microns in diameter; nucleus one-fifth the size of the cell. The great variation in size of the vaginal cells is worthy of special attention.


Embryo 1 {Fig. 1). The vaginal canal in this 18 cm. fetus can be seen extending a distance of about one centimeter from the cervical indentation to the point where it breaks into the vulva. In its upper four-fifths there is no lumen, the central portion being occupied by an irregularly branching trunk of epithelium, four or five cells in diameter. Tn the lowest one-fifth the canal suddenly widens, the mass of epithelial cells becomes much thicker and a lumen is to be seen that is partly filled with desquamated epithelium. Beneath this epithelial layer lies an area of loose connective tissue cells possessing an embryonal character, with only here and there a connective tissue fibre stained pink by the fuchsin. This layer of embryonal cells is several times thicker than the rod of epithelium in the centre. The outer covering of the vaginal cylinder consists of a thin mantle of connective tissue fibres whose red color, when stained with van Gieson, serves to outline it sharply from the surrounding structures.


The point where the vaginal cylinder enters into the urogenital sinus can be folloAved in nineteen sections. The vaginal conus bends ventrally at its point of entrance into the sinus and thereby a fold is formed between its dorsal wall and the sinus. Microscopically this fold can be seen to consist of the following structures from within outwards: (1) vaginal epithelium, (2) vaginal embryonal connective tissue, (3) fully formed connective tissue fibres from the vagina, (4) fully formed connective tissue fibres from the vulva, (5) vulvar or sinus epithelium. This fold is, therefore, of vulvo-vaginal origin. It corresponds in shape and position to the hymen.


Embryo 2 {Fig. 2). Fetus 18 cms. long. Owing to the poor state of preservation the epithelium is partly cast off and the hematoxylin stain rather diffuse. In general the state of development approximates that described in Embryo 1. A vaginal lumen can be seen, but it seems to be an artifact due to the desquamation of epithelium. There is no proliferative tendency in the vaginal connective tissue. The bulk of the vaginal conus is composed of embryonal connective tissue cells. The growth along the posterior vaginal wall is less marked, so that the fold left at the point of entrance into the sinus is less pronounced. However, such a fold can be distinctly followed through a considerable number of sections. From the direction of the connective tissue fibres it can be seen that both vulva and vagina enter into its composition.


Fig. 2. Median sagittal section through lower portion of genital tract (Embryo 2). F., fold; It., rectum; S., sphincter ani muscle; U., urethra; U. S., lu-ogenital sinus ; V., vagina. Magnified 20 X.


Embryo 3 {Fig. 3). Fetus 18 cms. in length, good state of preservation. The three layers of the vagina previously described are here also to be seen in about the same stage of development. No vaginal lumen can be distinguished. The convex bulb of the vaginal cylinder projects but slightly into the cavity of the sinus urogenitalis. There is no special growtli of the posterior wall, and nowhere is there to be seen any fold^ such as was found in Embr3'os 1 and 2. There is no proliferation of the vaginal connective tissue.


  • Since the completion of this article, I was able to obtain a sixth embryo and made serial sections of the genital tract. The embryo was 18 cms. in length and in an excellent state of preservation. The conditions were similar to those of Embryo 3. The vagina consisted mostly of embryonal connective tissue, with a central, somewhat branching core of epithelium, a few cells in thickness. At the point of its entrance into the sinus urogenitalis. there was no sign of a connective tissue fold such as Nagel describes (Fig. 9).


Embryo 4 (Figs. 11-13). Fetus 21 cms. in length. The vagina is seen to possess a lumen in its lower half, this lumen being filled almost entirel}^ with desquamated epithelial cells, whose nuclei and protoplasm, though greatly shrunken, can still be differentiated. The three layers of the vagina differ greatly in character from those described in Embryos 1-3. The inner epithelial layer is here the thickest of the three. The cells lie 12-15 rows deep and differ in size and staining character in a way similar to that of the adult vagina; i. e., the superficial cells are large, somewhat spindle-shaped, their protoplasm and nucleus staining faintly; the deeper cells, especially the basal layer, are small, cubical, with deeply staining nucleus and scanty protoplasm. Into the layer of loose connective tissue cells outside this epithelial layer the latter sends finger-like processes, so that at times apparent islands of connective tissue cells are seen to lie in the midst of the epithelium. In serial sections these can be seen to be continuous with the connective tissue layer. Judged by the pictures in the previous cases, it would seem more rational to interpret this intertwining of connective tissue and epithelial process as due to an outward growth of the epithelium rather than an inward growth of the connective tissue.



Fig. 3. Median sagittal section tbrough eutrauee of vagina into urogenital sinus (Embryo 3). No fold is here visible. R., ventral wall of rectum; U., urethra : Y., vagina ; U. S., urogenital sinus. Magnified 20 X.



The inner connective tissue layer is not as wide but more dense than in the embryos just described. The nuclei are smaller and stain more deeply, and here and there beginning connective tissue fibrillae are to be noted. The outer laver of connective tissue is not clearly differentiated from surrounding structures. We find the connective tissue fibres more developed and an admixture of unstriped muscular fibres.


Following the vagina down to its point of entrance into the sinus urogenitalis, we are struck by the difference in size and staining property of the vaginal and sinus epithelium. The sinus epithelium at this point consists of three or four layers of small cubical cells with deeply staining nucleus. This difference in the epithelium, already emphasized by Klein, together with the direction of the connective tissue fibres, makes it easy to determine how much is vagina, how much is sinus.


It is seen in studying the series that a crescentic fold of tissue attached to the dorsal and lateral aspect is left at the point of entrance of vagina into sinus. This fold is lined on the inner side by vaginal, on the outer side by sinus epithelium (Fig. 12). It is not by any means a well-formed membrane.


Just anterior to this fold the connective tissue of the vagina both ventrally and dorsally (but principally dorsally) sends a proliferating branch in through the epithelium. The two join to form a membrane that, with the exception of one small opening, completely closes the vaginal canal. It is clear that this membrane must be the hymen, and it is also indisputable that, in this case at any rate, it is of vaginal origin, since it lies internal to the point of junction between vagina and sinus urogenitalis, is lined on both sides by vaginal epithelium, and has its connective tissue directly continuous with the connective tissue of the vagina.


That this membrane is not one of the secondary folds occasionally to be seen internal to the hymen, Avliere there is a marked proliferative tendency on the part of the vaginal connective tissue, is evident by the fact that (with this one exception) there are to be seen no high papillary projections. The sections in this case seem to represent about the same stage of development as do those of Klein, but his interpretation of the findings is different, as will be subsequently shown.


Embryo 5 {Figs. 4-8). Development that of about 5-6 months. The vagina is 3 cms. in length and from 2-6 mms. in diameter. The narrowest portion is the upper fifth, in which there is no lumen and the epithelium is only a few layers of cells in thickness. Here there is also little connective tissue proliferation. Further down the canal, and particularly near the vulvar end, this proliferation is very extensive, so that there appear bands, papillae and islands, depending on the way the sections happen to be cut through the projections. Here we should be at a loss to interpret the various structures were it not that we are able to follow them in series and thus to determine their relationship to their surroundings. Only two layers can be differentiated in this specimen, the middle layer of embryonal connective tissue being absent. The epithelial layer is similar to that in Embryo 4, except that larger quantities of desquamated cells are found lying in the vaginal lumen. The connective tissue fibres take the fuchsin stain deeply and are more densely compacted than in Embryo 4.


Fig. 4. Sagittal section a little to right of median line thvougn lower genital tract (Embryo 5). Section No. 179. F., fold; H., hymen; R., ventral wall of rectum ; S., sphincter aui muscle ; U., lu'ethra ; V., vagina. Magnified 5 X.


We can again distinguish two folds or membranes. The outer fold is lined externally by vulvar epithelium, internally by vaginal epithelium (Fig. 8a). Its connective tissue fibres (Pig. 8) are partly continuous with the connective tissue of the vagina. In part they intermingle with the connective tissue of the vulva and perineum. Eeconstructed, this fold has somewhat the shape of a thin crescent, whose concave margin faces the urethra. It springs almost wholly from the dorsal wall. A short projection can be seen opposite on the ventral wall. Directl}- anterior to this fold is the true h}'ineii, a memhrane two to three millimeters in height and about one-half to one millimeter in thickness, likewise springing mainly from the dorsal wall (Figs. 4 and 5), with a smal oval ojjening high up near the urethra corresponding to the hymeneal orifice. Its epithelium and connective tissue are vaginal. Papillary proliferations are found on its inner and outer surfaces.


Fig. 5. Median sagittal section (Embryo 5). Section No. 187. F.. fold; H., hj'men ; R., ventral wall of rec-tum ; S., sphincter ani nuiscle ; U., urethra ; v., vagina. Magnified 5 X.


The evidence of these five embryos can be briefly summarized as follows :

In the fetus 18 cms. long (Embryos 1 and 2) there may be seen at the point of junction of vagina and sinus urogenitalis, rising mostly from the dorsal wall, a crescentic fold composed of elements coming both from the vagina and the vulva or sinus urogenitalis. Occasionally, as in Embryo 3, this fold is absent. In the fetus 21 cms. long this crescentic fold is again to be seen, Init not so well marked. Anterior" to it and lying wholly within the vagina is a thick membrane, the hymen, almost completely closing the vaginal canal, composed only of vaginal elements. No other similar folds or membranes are present.


In the fetus 25-30 cms. long the crescentic vulvo-vaginal fold is still recognizable, but the true hymeneal membrane is evidently anterior to it. It is here very well developed and is composed entirely of vaginal elements.


The explanation that suggests itself from the study of my sections is similar to Dohrn's ('75). It points to the hymen as of vaginal origin, independent of the place at which the vagina breaks into the urogenital sinus.^ This spot is already clearly to be seen in the 14 cm. fetus as shown in Nagel's illustration (Fig. 9). Within arises a fold of vaginal tissue, the true hymen, stretching almost completely across the vaginal canal. At the point where the vaginal bulbus breaks through, the so-called Muellerian eminence, a more or less well marked fold of tissue is left. As the fetus develops this fold becomes obliterated. In cases of arrested development we may have the fold persisting almost to birth, thus giving the picture of a bilamellate or double hymen.



Fig. 6. Sagittal section a little to left of median line (Embryo 5). Section No. 191. F., fold; H., hymen; R., ventral wall of rectum; S., sphincter ani muscle ; U., lu-ethra ; Y., vagina. Magnified 5 X.



  • In this and subsequent arguments I have assumed that the vagina is entirely formed by the coalesced Muellerian ducts and not to any extent by the sinus urogenitalis. Practically the only testimony that would speak against this view is the occasional presence of epithelial areas that appear to come from the urogenital sinus. The interpretation of such epithelial areas is, however, a matter of great uncertainty, as has recently been pointed out by Meyer ('07) in a discussion on the remnants of the Wolffian ducts.



Let us now see how this explanation agrees with the findings, clinical and microscopic, that have been hronght forward by other observers.


Considering in the first place the clinical evidence, we would emphasize the variations in the shape of the hymeneal orifice. This has, I believe, not been given due importance. We have on the one hand authors as Kagel ('97) and Klein ('94), who hold that the formation of the hymen is passive, i. e., merely due to a bulging forward of the vaginal bulb, particularly of the dorsal wall, into the urogenital sinus, and a consequent thinning out of the intervening septum. On the other hand, some investigators, as Dohrn ('75) and Schaefer ('95), consider its formation as active, i. e., a proliferation of connective tissue with the production of a membrane more or less completely shutting off the vagina from without. It seems to me the variations in position, shape and size of the hymeneal orifice point distinctly to a proliferative process. If we conceive the evolution as passive, we should expect a round or oval orifice near the upper portion of the hymen. Such a view cannot explain the cases of denticulate, cribriform and fimbriate hymens. Even Klein takes for granted, in the last named form, a papillary growth along the edge of the hymen. In other words, he claims the process is passive except when it is active. This seems irrational. Apparently the hymen does not represent a thinned out meml^rane, but a proliferation of connective tissue. That such a proliferating tendency of the vaginal connective tissue exists, all writers, including Klein ('94), agree.



Fig. 7. Sagittal section about 1 mm. to tbe left of plane of Fig. 6. Urethra and vulvo-vaginal fold are not to be seen in this section. No. 207. H., hymen ; R., ventral wall of rectum ; S., sphincter ani muscle ; V., vagina. Magnified 5 X.



The next clinical fact to be considered is that occasionally a hymen is to be found in the absence of a vagina. This point is emphasized by Pozzi ('84), as favoring his conception of the vulvar origin of the hymen. It is, however, here as elsewhere that the exception proves the rule. In the large majority of cases where the vagina is absent, a hymen is also not to be found. Thus the weight of the evidence favors the vaginal theory. Furthermore, as A^eit points out, the occurrence of a hymen in atresia vaginas can be readily explained. We know that, at some places, portions of the vagina may remain obliterated while at other points a lumen is formed. If the extreme lower end of the vagina be the only portion that so develops it might readily present the picture of a hymen in absence of the vagina.



Fig. 8. Drawing of dorsal portion of hymen, vulva and vagina in median sagittal section (Embryo 1). Section No. 183. This shows clearly how the vulvo-vaginal fold is distinct from, and posterior to, the hymen. By their density and direction, the connective tissue fibres of the vagina are set off from the vulvar connective tissue. The difference in epithelium is also indicated in a general way. F.. fold ; H., hymen ; Va., vagina ; Vu., vulva. Magnified 40 X.


Fig. 8a. Detail drawing ot the tip of the vulvo-vaginal fold seen in Fig. 8 to show the difference in character between vaginal epithelium and sinus epithelium. C. T., connective tissue ; Y. Ep., vaginal epithelium ; S. Ep., sinus epithelium. Magnified 100 X.



A few cases have been reported in which a single hymen was found with double vagina. This fact is brought forward by the upholders of the vulvar theory as proof of their contentions, in spite of the fact that here, too, the rule is that the hymen is double, one for each vagina. The burden of proof is here likewise against them. The unusual cases of single hymen can, moreover, be readily explained on the basis of an incomplete vaginal septum, that is, one in which the septum dividing the two vaginas does not fully reach to the hymeneal ring.


From the anatomical dissection of 190 specimens of fetal hymens Schaeffer ('90) concluded, as already stated, that this structure was composed of two folds. Gellhorn ('04) has raised the objection to these investigations that they Avere based upon patliological material. According to Schaeffer's own statement 42 per cent of his cases showed some maldevelopment of the genital tract. When we consider what we mean by maldevelopment, Schaeffer's cases acquire a distinctive value of their own. We mean not a different method of development, but an arrest of development.* If in 43 per cent of his specimens there was arrest of development in other portions of the genital tract, we have a right to expect a rather large percentage to show an arrest of hymeneal development. Now Schaeffer found in 28.8 per cent of all cases a bilamellate hymen, whereas other investigators - Klein ('94), Hart ('02), Gellhorn ('04) - found bilamellation but rarely or not at all. Is the inference not justifiable that the additional lamella represents a membrane left by some previous step of development that persisted instead of becoming obliterated? But what memljrane could that be? Only the membrane left at the point where the vaginal bulbus breaks into the sinus urogenitalis. It is this vulvo-vaginal fold, I believe, so clearly to be seen in my specimens, that in Schaeifer's cases persisted to a later date in a number of instances and gave the appearance of an additional fold of the hymen. This assumption is further supported by the following table in Schaeffer's work:

Number of Length of Fetus. Specimens

ilamellate


Hymen.


Percenta

5

55.5

4

50.


10

38.5

15

36.6

15

24.1

4

14.3



16-25 cms 9 26-30 cms 8 31-35 cms 26 36-40 cms 41 41-45 cms 58 Over 45 cms 28


Fig. 9. Sagittal section through the posterior end of the vagina of a human embryo of 14 cm. body length (Nagel). 1, urethra; 2, vagina; 3, posterior surface of the hymen ; 4, widened portion of the vagina immediately back of the hymen.


  • It is of interest in this connection that the hymen, according to Nagel, appears as a membrane only in the human race. In elephants, hyenas and other quadrupeds there is usually a constriction at the point of entrance of vagina into sinus urogenitalis, but no true hymeneal membrane. Corresponding to this constriction, we have at this point in man the vulvo-vaginal fold.


The steady decrease in the percentage of bilamellate hymen as the state of development increases is very striking and certainly would incline one to the belief that the bilamellate hymen represents a more primitive stage of development.


So much for the clinical and gross anatomical evidence on this subject. Coming now to the microscopic investigations, we must put aside as of secondary value all those ^jased on fetuses previous to the fifth month of development, at which time the hymen, according to the consensus of opinion, first makes its appearance.^ This would include ISTagel's ('97) sections of a 14 cm. fetus (Fig. 9) which gives pictures of a vulvovaginal septum similar to that found in my Embryos 1 and 2. In the series of sagittal sections of a 26 cm. fetus studied by Klein ('94) (Fig. 10) we have valuable evidence. A comparison of his illustrations with mine are very interesting. He finds a vulvo-vaginal fold that he interprets as the hymen at the point of junction of vagina and urogenital sinus. Just anterior to this fold and extending from both ventral and dorsal walls is a fold considerably thicker than the so-called hymen. Klein's explanation of this fold is that it is a column of vaginal tissue such as we occasionally find in hymen columnatus. Neither in his pictures nor in his description has Klein proven this, and a priori it is difficult to see how such an explanation is possible. In a sagittal median section through a hymen columnatns we should expect to find the column as a broad surface continuous with the hymen. In Klein's sections it is comparatively narrow and there is a considerable hiatus between the column and hymen. A more plausible explanation would be that the so called column is one of the secondary folds or papilla? occasionally found in the vagina back of the hymen. These secondary proliferations are, however, found primarily in later stages of fetal development when there is a general proliferative tendency in the entire lower vagina. In Klein's embryo there is no such general reduplication of vaginal connective tissue. There are really only the two folds, just as in my sections, the one vulvo-vaginal, the other vaginal; the former a thin septum, the latter a thick membrane. In the absence of contradictory evidence, I feel justified in considering Klein's case as rather supporting than opposing my views.


  • This excludes the work of Berry Hart ('02), who argues from the serial sections of two embryos of three months development that the hymen is formed fi-oni the Wolffian ducts. Webster ("98) has clearly pointed out the fallacy of his conclusions.



Fig. 10. Sagittal section of the posterior end of the vagina aud the hymen (after Klein). Of the two folds Klein interprets the left hand one as a columnar branch of the right hand one, the hymen. Magnified GO X.



The character of the epithelial covering also gives support to the vaginal theory. Klein lays stress on the marked differences between the vaginal and the vulvar epithelium. Gellhorn's ('04) microscopic sections of seven hymens at various stages of fetal development show that vaginal epithelium lines both sides of the hymen.


The direction of the hymeneal connective tissue fibres has been emphasized by Gellhorn ('0-i) as being of considerable importance. Even in fetuses at full term they could be seen running parallel and continuous with the vaginal connective tissue fibres. From the vulva no fibres enter into its composition.


I am well aware that the evidence of the serial sections in these five embryos is insufficient to firmly establish my contentions. Further investigations are necessary. Unfortunately, the material in a fresh state is not easily collected. Progress in this question can, however, only be made by the study of serial microscopic sections of the lower genital tract in fetuses of 18-30 cms. length.


Evidence of the sort that has heretofore been employed to support theories of hymeneal development, even if absolutely contradictory, cannot invalidate the views expressed in this paper. It would require evidence of the same character, serial sections of a number of embryos, to do this. Until such evidence is at hand, therefore, we must consider the hymen as a vaginal structure formed in the fifth month of fetal life by connective tissue proliferation directly anterior to the point where the vagina enters into the urogenital sinus.


In conclusion, I wish to thank Dr. E. J. Terry, Professor of Anatomy at Washington University, for assistance in getting material for this work and many helpful suggestions; also Dr. H. P. Wells for his excellent micro-photographs.

Figs. 11-13. Sagittal sections through the hymen (Embryo 4). The dotted line is drawn at the level of the entrance of the vagina into the urogenital sinus. It is to the left of this that the hymen is formed. Fig. 11 (Section No. Gl) strikes about the centre of the hymen, so that it appears as folds from above and below that do not meet (hymeneal orifice). To the right of it lies a high, narrow fold, rising from below, lined on the left ( anterior ) side by vaginal, on the right (posterior) side by sinus epithelium. In Fig. 12 (Section No. 63) the exact position of this fold and its relations can be better seen. The hymen can be clearly recognized to the left of it as a connective tissue membrane lined on both sides by vaginal epithelium. This is the most convincing pictiu-e in the series. Fig. 13 is taken lateral to this (Section No. 67). Only a teat-like remnant of the vulvo-vaginal fold can be seen below and to the right. The hymen is seen as a thick band. Papillte appear on the posterior side. Magnified 45 X.


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