LECTURE LIV. 

 OBSTETRICS. 



The science which deals with the birth of young animals. 



Anatomy. — The female organs studied in obstetrics are : ova- 

 ries, Fallopian tiiljcs, vagina, and uterus. 



Ovaries. — Two more or less flattened, spherical organs, sus- 

 pended in the front part of the broad ligament (see uterus) in 

 the sub-lumbar region. In the cow and mare they are about the 

 size of hulled walnuts. Their function is to develop, mature and 

 discharge the ovules or eggs. 



Fallopian tubes. — Two small slender tubes which connect the 

 ovaries, one on each side, with the liorns of the uterus. Ovules 

 or eggs pass through these tubes on their way to the uterus. 



Uterus (zvoiiib). — A muscular and membranous sack, very 

 large in pregnant animals — located partly in the pelvic and partly 

 in the abdominal cavities. 



Structure.- — Three layers or coats, (a) outer or peritoneal; 

 (b) middle, muscular ; (c) inner, mucous. 



The outer (a) is the thin, delicate, glistening membrane, peri- 

 toneum, which lines the entire abdominal cavity and covers with 

 another layer, every organ within that cavity. 



The middle (b) is composed of two distinct sets of muscle 

 fibers. The outer fibers extend lengthwise, and the inner ones 

 around the uterus. 



The inner (c) is a mucous membrane and very similar to that 

 which lines the mouth and whole alimentary canal. 



Shape. — The body of the uterus is cylinderical and divides in 

 front into two branches. Each branch connects with a Fallopian 

 tube and through that with the ovary. The body of the uterus 

 narrows behind to a neck which projects into the vagina. The 

 rectum is above the uterus and the bladder below it. 



Supports. — The uterus is held in place by four ligaments 

 which are mainly folds of the peritoneum. The most important 

 of these are the broad ligaments. These are two wide folds of 



