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THE BLOOD-VASCULAR SYSTEM OF THE OX 



THE BLOOD-VASCULAR SYSTEM OF THE OX 

 The Pericardium and Heart 



The pericardium is attached by two fibrous bands (Ligamenta sterno-peri- 

 cardiaca) to the sternum opposite the facets for the sixth costal cartilages; these 

 ligaments, right and left, are embedded in the mass of fat which separates the apex 

 of the pericardium from the floor of the thorax. 



Aorta 



, Ligamcnlum arferiosum 



^^ ,^ Left Jiranch of pulmonary artery 



Anterior vena-"^ X / I 



cava Jr / / Pulmonary veins 



Posterior vena cava 



Brachiocephalic •'■\^ 

 trunk \ 



Right auriclr"^ 



Pulmonary artery"^ / 



/ \ I na Jtemiazygos 



-Left auricle 



Right veiitriel 

 heft coronary artery 



Fosterior branch of left 

 coronary artery in 

 intermediate groove 

 Left ventricle 



Fig. 4f)7. — Heart of Ox, Left View. 



Tlio heart of the adult ox has an average weight of al)out 5l<2 to 6 pounds (ca. 

 2.5 to 2.7 kg.), or about 0.4 to 0.5 per cent, of the body-weight. Its length from 

 l)ase to apex is relatively longer than that of the horse and the base is smaller in 

 both its diameters. 



A shallow" intermediate groove (Sulcus intermedins) extends from the coronary 

 groove down the left side of the posterior border, but does not reach the apex. The 

 amount of fat in and near the grooves is much greater than in the horse. 



The heart is situated more to the left of the median jilane than in the horse and 

 is opposite to the third, fourth, and fifth ribs when it is contracted. It has exten- 



