136 TOPOGRAPHICAL ANATOMY OF THE 



On the lateral surface of each ligament is a long irregular fold known 

 as the round ligartient of the uterus (ligamentum teres uteri), which 

 extends from near the level of the cranial end of the uterine cornu to 

 the vicinity of the abdominal ring of the inguinal canal. The round 

 ligament contains muscular tissue, and is the homologue of the guber- 

 naculum testis of the male. 



It is important to note that in its association the broad ligament is 

 not confined to the uterus, but is also connected with the uterine tube 

 and ovary. The terms mesometriutn,^ mesosalpinx- and mesovariurn 

 are applied to the parts of the ligament connected with the uterus, 

 uterine tube and ovary respectively. 



The examination of the structure and interior of the uterus sliould 

 be postponed until the interior of the vagina can be exposed at the 

 same time. This will be done in connection with the examination of 

 the pelvic viscera. 



The Ovaries (Ovaria). — Seeing that the ovaries are somewhat 

 loosely suspended from the lumbar region of the abdominal cavity, their 

 position is liable to some amount of variation, dependent upon the 

 movement and degree of distension of the intestinal mass. Expressed 

 in general terms, however, it may be said that they lie midway between 

 the last rib and the coxal tuber of the ilium, at a distance of some 6 to 

 8 cm. from the median plane of the body. The size and weight of each 

 organ is variable, but the average weight may be stated as about 75 

 grammes. They are largest in the young animal. 



Each ovary is bean-shaped with a convex border (margo meso- 

 varicus), looking in a dorsal and cranial direction,^ to which the 

 mesovarium or suspensory ligament (ligamentum suspensorium ovarii) 

 is attached. Nerves and blood vessels enter the ovary at the hilus, a 

 narrow area on the dorsal border between the two layers of the 

 suspensory ligament. A fold of peritoneum that can be traced to the 

 last rib passes from the suspensory ligament in a lateral and slightly 

 cranial direction. The opposite border, ventral and caudal in aspect 

 is free (margo liber) and is characterised in the mare by the presence of 

 a narrow depression, the ovulation fossa. It is worthy of remark that 

 an ovulation fossa is peculiar to the mare among domestic animals in its 



' nfffos (mesos) [Gr.], middle ; /j-erpa (metra) [Gr.], the uterus. 



- fxeaos (mesos) [Gr.], middle ; adXiny^ (salpinx) [Gr.], tube. 



■■' This applies to the organ when it hangs freely in an abdomen from which the 

 other viscera have been removed. In the living animal the pressure of the intestinal 

 mass deflects the ovary so that its borders may be medial and lateral in aspect, and 

 its surfaces dorsal and ventral. 



