262 VETERINARY STATE BOARD 



Blood is supplied to the organ by the utero-ovarian and uterine 

 arteries, and it is innervated by branches from the mesenteric and 

 pelvic plexuses. 



Describe the uterus of the bitch. 



The body of the uterus is short, but the cornua are very long 

 and folded, and float amongst the intestinal convolutions. Its cervix 

 projects into the vagina. The mucous membrane is very loose and 

 gathered into folds. The muscular coat is well developed and 

 is covered externally with peritoneum. 



Give the blood and nerve supply of the uterus. 



Uterine and utero-ovarian arteries. Innervated by branches 

 from the small mesenteric and pelvic plexuses. 



Describe the ligaments of the uterus. What are the functions of these 

 ligaments? 



The broad ligaments, two in number, are irregularly triangular 

 in shape, and are more developed before than behind. They descend 

 from the sublumbar region to be attached by their inferior border 

 to the sides of the upper face of the body of the uterus and the 

 small curvature of the cornua. They sustain the Fallopian tubes 

 and ovaries. These ligaments are close to each other posteriorly in 

 the region of the cervix but separate anteriorly like the branches of 

 the letter V. They suspend the uterus in the sublumbar region. 



The round ligaments, two in number, outside of the broad liga- 

 ments, contain in their folds a small thin muscle. These ligaments 

 run from the sides of the uterus to the beginning of the inguinal 

 canal. Their function is to support and retain the uterus in its 

 proper position. 



Describe the glands of the uterus and give their functions. 



They are mucous glands and are designated simple and cylin- 

 drical. The former, most numerous near the cervix, secrete the pecu- 

 liar transparent mucous found there. The cylindrical, uterine or 

 utricular glands are closely situated and are often twisted in a spiral 

 fashion. They resemble other mucous glands with spheroidal epi- 

 thelium in the bottom of the tube and columnar cells in their ducts. 



Describe an ovary. 



A small ovoid body, situated in the sublumbar region, with a deep 

 notch or hilus on its upper surface which receives the oviduct. It 

 is attached by the ovarian ligament to the uterus and supported by 

 the broad ligament. 



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