522 GENITAL ORGANS OF THE BITCH 



nences, so that sometimes the gland has an irregular, mull)erry-like aspect; this 

 is due to the fact that there is very little stroma and the larger Graafian follicles 

 project from the surface. 



The Fallopian or uterine tubes are long (ca. 15 to 30 cm.), and less flexuous than 

 in the mare. The fimbriated (wtremity forms an am])ulla and has a large abdominal 

 opening. The uterine end shades insensibly into the small extremity of the cornu 

 of the uterus. 



The uterus presents several striking features. The body is only al)out two 

 inches (ca. 5 cm.) long. The horns are extremely long and flexuous, and are freely 

 movable, on account of the large extent of the broad ligaments. The extremities 

 of the horns taper to about the diameter of the Fallo])ian tubes.^ The neck is 

 remarkable for its length (ca. 15 to 20 cm.) and the fact that it is directly continued 

 by the vagina without forming any intravaginal projection (os uteri). It can be 

 distinguished by the transverse folds of its mucous membrane and the thickness 

 of its wall. 



The changes in form and position of the uterus during pregnancy are similar to those men- 

 tioned later in the case of the bitch. 



The vagina is about four or five inches (ca. 10 to 12 cm.) long in a sow of medium 

 size. It is small in caliber, and has a thick muscular coat which consists mainly 

 of circular fibers. The mucous membrane is plicated, and is intimately united 

 wdth the muscular coat. 



The vulva is relatively long. The inferior commissure is pointed and depen- 

 dent. The mucous lining is plicated. There is a small suburethral diverticulum. 

 The vestibular glands are small and variable in number. The vestibular Ixilbs 

 are little developed. The canals of Gartner maj^ sometimes l)e traced as far as 

 the ovary, but are often difficult to find. 



The clitoris is long, flexuous, and pointed; beneath it is a cul-de-sac. 



The urethra is very long; its vulvar orifice is not concealed by a valvular fold. 



The mammary glands are usually ten or twelve in numljer, and are arranged 

 in tW'O rows, as in the Ijitch. Each teat has commonly two excretory ducts. 



GENITAL ORGANS OF THE BITCH 



The ovaries (Fig. 336) are small, elongated-oval in outline, and flattened. 

 Each ovary is situated close to or in contact with the ])Osterior pole of the corre- 

 sponding kidney, and thus lies ventral to the third or fourth liunbar vertebrae, 

 or about half way between the last rib and the crest of the ilium. Each is concealed 

 in a peritoneal pouch, the bursa ovarii, which has a slit-like opening ventrally. 

 The two folds which form this pouch contain a ciuantity of fat and imstriped nuiscle. 

 They are continued to the cornu of the uterus, constituting the mesosalpinx and 

 the ovarian ligament. The surface of the ovary presents prominences caused by 

 projecting Graafian follicles. There is no distinct hilus. 



The Fallopian or uterine tubes are small and average two or three inches (ca. 

 5 to 8 cm.) in length, luich i)asses at first forward and then turns l)ackward, hav- 

 ing a straight or only slightly flexuous course. The fimbriated extremity lies in 

 the bursa ovarii, and has a rather large opening. The uterine orifice is very 

 small. 



The uterus has a very short body and two long narrow horns. In a bitch of 

 medium size the l)ody is about an inch (ca. 2 to 3 cm.) and the cornua five or six 



' Lesbre states that the cornua may attain a length of 45 to 50 cm. 



