Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Each ovary has a tubal end, close to the infundibulum
of the uterine tube, and a uterine end, opposite to the previ-
ous end, where the ovary is attached to the uterus by the
proper ligament of the ovary. Each ovary is suspended
from the roof of the abdominal cavity by the mesovarium,
a peritoneal fold, the most cranial part of the broad liga-
ment. A suspensory ligament of the ovary can be identifi ed
at the free border of the mesovarium, and is attached to the
diaphragm.
concave surface. During the gestation (pregnancy), the
caruncles are surrounded by the placenta. The areas of the
placenta that come in contact with the caruncles are called
cotyledons, and the combination caruncle-cotyledon is
called placentome. The cotyledons send villi, which
implant into the spongy surface of the caruncles (see
The Placenta).
The
cervix
continues to the body of uterus for 3 - 4 cm.
The cervical canal is irregular. The communication with
the body of uterus is called internal uterine ostium (orifi ce),
whereas the communication with the vagina is called
external uterine ostium (orifi ce). The latter protrudes into
the vagina and is surrounded by a circular recess called
vaginal fornix. The endometrium of the cervix is provided
with three to four circular folds that interdigitate with each
other.
T
HE
T
UBULAR
G
ENITAL
O
RGANS
The uterine tubes, salpinges (sing. salpinx), or fallopian
tubes have the function of protecting the spermatozoa
while “swimming” toward the ovaries, and the ova (sing.
ovum) moving toward the uterine horns after the fertiliza-
tion of the ovules. They are two very small and fl exuous,
mobile, 10 - 16 cm long tubes located between the ovaries
and the uterine horns. Each uterine tube has an abdominal
opening, which is provided with an infundibulum (funnel-
shaped end) oriented toward the ovary. It is followed by
an ampulla (the wide part) and the isthmus (the narrow
part), which opens into the corresponding uterine horn. In
the goat, the salpinx continues gradually with the uterine
horn. The infundibulum is provided with a fringe of pro-
cesses called fi mbriae, some of them attached to the ovary.
Each uterine tube is suspended by the second segment of
the broad ligament, called mesosalpinx. The ovary, mes-
ovarium, and mesosalpinx outline a cavity called ovarian
bursa. See Figure 6.35 .
T
HE
V
AGINA
The vagina is a tubular organ, with a lumen much wider
than the uterus, and extends up to the external urethral
ostium (on the fl oor). The mucosa is disposed in longitu-
dinal folds. It facilitates the lubrication and smooth gliding
of the penis during copulation, and of the fetus during
birth. The vestibule is the continuation of the vagina,
caudal to the external urethral ostium. See Figure 6.35.
T
HE
E
XTERNAL
G
ENITAL
O
RGANS
The
vulva
is located within the area ventral to the anus
and known as the perineum. Two labia (sing. labium)
and two commissures (dorsal and ventral, the points where
the two labia meet) outline the pudendal fi ssure. The labia
are thick, yet soft structures. The dorsal commissure is
rounded, whereas the ventral commissure is pointed toward
the ground. See Figure 6.35.
The
clitoris
is the rudimentary homologue of the penis
located in the ventral wall of the vestibule. Two crura and
the body of the clitoris are embedded into the mucosa of
the vestibule. Only the glans clitoridis can be seen. The
whole clitoris measures 2 - 2.5 cm long.
The
female urethra
lies on the fl oor of the pelvic cavity,
covered by the fl oor of the vagina. It opens by the external
urethral ostium on the fl oor of the vagina, between it and
the vestibule. At this level, the opening of the urethra is
associated with the suburethral diverticulum, a small
pouch caudal to the opening.
T
HE
U
TERUS
The uterus is a unique structure, consisting of two sym-
metrical horns, one body, and the neck called the cervix.
The whole uterus is a so-called uterus bicornis. Its function
is to shelter and nourish the embryo/fetus until birth.
The
uterine horns
are coiled, each of them between 12
and 15 cm long. Before touching the body of the uterus,
the horns are connected by the intercornual ligament.
Inside of the uterus, the horns are separated by the uterine
velum. The horns have a free border, convex, and a meso-
metrial border, where the mesometrium (as part of the
broad ligament) is attached.
The
body of uterus
is as short as 2-3 cm long. It is
suspended by the mesometrium, a peritoneal fold, and
part of the broad ligament. The musculature of the whole
uterus is called myometrium, whereas the mucosal layer
is called endometrium. The endometrium of the uterine
horns and body is provided with small prominences called
caruncles. There are more than 100 caruncles disposed on
four rows. They are pediculated, with a fl at or slightly
T
HE
P
LACENTA
The connection between the embryo/fetus and the maternal
uterus starting at a certain phase of the development is
