1 1 8 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



mucosa function as though they remained in the canal so 

 that in such animals the uterine seal proceeds from, and 

 covers over, the mucosa protruding into the vagina. In the 

 mare, in advanced pregnancy, the uterine seal projects into 



Fig. 45— The Uterine Seal of an Adult Cow in Advanced Pregnancy. 



Cross sections through the cervix at various points. The larger 



seals are near the vaginal end. 



the vagina as an adhesive, somewhat cylindrical body, one, 

 two, or more inches in length. Its size and protrusion in- 

 crease until just before the close of pregnancy, when it 

 softens, changes to lubricant mucus, and strings from the 

 vulva. During pregnancy the mucus secreted by the vagina 

 becomes exceedingly sticky, having much the same charac- 

 ter as the uterine seal. 



