296 



MATERNAL DVSTOKIA. 



or more turns of the uterus to bring it to its normal position. Such a 

 complicated condition would appear, however, to be very rare. 



An important question is that relating to the possibility of such an 

 accident occurring to an organ like this, which is attached to the pelvis 

 by its continuation — the vagina — suspended to the vertebrae in the lum- 

 bar region by broad ligaments, and maintained in situ, in addition, by the 

 neighboring viscera, and more especially by the rumen in the Cow — the 

 animal in which uterine torsion is observed by far the most frequently. 



This question can be answered by a reference to what we have stated 

 with regard to the anatomy of this portion of the generative apparatus, at 



Fig. 69. 



Multiple Torsion of the Uterus. 



. I, Body of the Uterus; 2, 2, 2, Torsion, involving the Body of the Organ ; 3, Rectum; 4, 

 Bladder ; 5, Vagkia ; 6, Symphysis Pubis. 



pages 38, 40, and 44. We have seen that, in the Cow, the concave 

 curvatures of the uterine cornua look downwards, and that it is to these 

 concavities the broad ligaments are attached ; so that if the uterus be 

 considered as freely suspended in the abdomen, the extremity of each 

 corml is turned outwards and upwards, while its base, near the body of 

 the organ, although drawn in the same direction by the ligaments, yet 

 retains its position, being firmly maintained in it by the body of the uterus, 

 which also receives the insertion of the broad ligaments on its lower 

 face. This insertion causes the uterus to project above the ligaments, 

 which are very broad, particularly at their anterior border, and widely 

 separated from one another in front, near their lumbar attachment. The 

 ligaments suspend the uterus loosely in the abdomen, and allow it to 

 become fully developed during pregnancy. At this period, too, they 



