OVARIOTOMY IN THE BITCH. 



135 



bitch are unique among our domesticated animals. The 

 uterus, U, Plate XX, is small and physiologically unim- 

 portant, the cornua, RUC and LUC, are ample in size and 

 constitute physiologically the uterus. The distance from 

 the cornual extremity, LUC, to the ovary, O, which is 

 occupied by the Fallopian tube is very brief so that the 

 cornua and ovary are well nigh in contact. The ovary, 

 O, O, is very small, smooth and completely hidden in the 

 pavilion which here constitutes a sac having a very small 

 longitudinal opening of 2 to 5 mm. The most remarkable 

 feature of the apparatus from a surgical standpoint is the 

 great development of the broad ligament which is broader 

 than the distance from the lumbar region to the abdominal 

 floor, while the uterus and uterine cornua are stretched 

 between the vagina, V, and the ovary, O, so that they are 

 suspended in the sub-lumbar region resulting in a double 

 fold of the broad ligament hanging down like a curtain be- 

 tween the parietal peritoneum and the uterus and cornua 

 on either side. The broad ligament of the bitch is conse- 

 quently suspended at one point from the sub-lumbar region, 

 at the other from the uterus, so that instead of that organ 

 being suspended by the ligament the relation is reversed 

 and the ligament is suspended from the uterus, or rather 

 uterine cornua. 



In Plate XX the right broad ligament, BL', is laid out 

 upon the side exposing the right uterine cornu, RUC, while 

 on the left side the ligament is divided at about its center 

 and the posterior portion, BL', is laid out on the flank,, 

 while the anterior, BL, is left in its normal position con- 

 cealing a portion of the cornu, LUC. Unlike our other 

 domesticated animals, the broad ligament is heavily loaded 

 with fat which gives it an appearance very similar to the 

 omentum, but the net-work is far less conspicuous or want- 

 ing, the omentum also extends back into this region so that 

 the two are in contact. 



