Page 487 - Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, 8th Edition

472 / Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals

(A) (B)
VetBooks.ir

5cm
Figure 26‐8. Bovine cervix. (A) Typical appearance of a cervix opened to reveal the interdigitating
transverse folds between the vagina and uterus. (B) Same specimen submerged in water demonstrating
the complexity of the longitudinal cervical mucosal folds. Source: images courtesy of Library of Reproduction
Images (LORI: http://lorimainsection.blogspot.ca).

which can also be palpated per rectum. The vulva is the external genitalia of
The urethra should normally empty into the female (Fig. 26‐9). It comprises right
the vestibule and be voided from the and left labia, which meet on the mid-
vulva. In females with poor conforma- line dorsally and ventrally at the dorsal
tion there can be pooling of urine in the and ventral commissures, respectively.
vagina, and sometimes in the uterus, The ventral commissure is usually some-
resulting in reduced fertility. what pendulous and conceals the clitoris,
a structure of erectile tissue that has the
same embryonic origin as the penis in the
Vestibule and Vulva male. Like the penis, the clitoris consists of
two crura, or roots, a body, and a glans;
The vestibule is the portion of the repro- only the glans is visible externally. The
ductive tract between the vagina and the clitoris is covered by stratified squamous
external genitalia. The transition between epithelium and is well supplied with sen-
vagina and vestibule is demarcated by the sory nerve endings. Mares or cows with
external urethral orifice, and therefore poor conformation of the vulva will often
the vestibule is functionally common to have reduced reproductive performance.
both urinary and reproductive tracts. Vulvar labia that are close to vertical and
The porcine and bovine vulva features a tightly apposed are ideal, but with age or
suburethral diverticulum, a short blind loss of body condition there can be a loss
sac ventral to the opening of the urethra. of this apposition and/or a cranial tilt to
The mucous membrane of the vestibule is the vulva, resulting in fecal material or
characterized by abundant mucous glands. air entering the vestibule and vagina.