ANATOMY.
The vagina is situated within the pelvic cavity, between the rectum and the bladder. Its internal face presents numerous longitudinal folds, the purpose of which is to permit the free dilatation of the parts. At the bottom of the passage is situated the neck of the uterus, giving to the finger the sensation of a projection, hard towards the cavity of the vagina, and in the centre of which is felt a closed opening, from which radiate the folds of the mucous membrane. The uterus (Figs. 27 and 28), continued forward to the neck, is situated in the abdominal cavity, occupying the sub-lumbar region, with its posterior extremity resting at the end of the pelvic cavity. It is somewhat pyriform in shape, and larger at its base, where it divides into two lateral halves, continued by the horns. The concave curvature of these horns look downward in the cow, but face upwards in the mare. In both they give attachment to the broad ligaments. These are folds of the peritoneum, more developed forward than behind, rising from the sub-lumbar region, and descending towards the uterus, to fix themselves upon the sides of the superior face of the body of this organ, and, as before stated, upon the curvature of the horns. Their anterior border is free, and gives support to the oviducts and the ovaries. Between the serous layers are found the utero-ovarian artery and veins, largely developed. The ovaries are situated on the internal face of the broad ligament, forming a small ovoid mass, which receives a special serous lamella, a sort of ligament, having between its layers a few grayish muscular fibres, which may be strong enough to offer serious resistance when the extirpation of the organ is attempted.
MODUS OPERANDI.
There are two modes of operation. The original method was that of removal through the flanks, which, however, has fallen into disuse since the introduction of the process of Charlier, of removal through the vagina. This process is altogether to be preferred, as being safer, more consistent with scientific surgery, and in a word is the only one which it is proper to perform, so long as the capacity of the vagina permits the necessary manipulations to be performed.
Fig. 27.
RIGHT OVARY OF THE COW WITH ITS ATTACHMENTS.
U.—Right horn of the uterus. L.—Broad ligament. L′—Its anterior border. O.—Ovary. R.—Peritoneal fold where it is suspended. S.—Superior ovarian ligament. T.—Inferior ovarian ligament. A.—Ovarian artery. V.—Ovarian vein. I.—Oviduct. P.—Its pavilion. X.—Its superior or fimbriated opening. Z.—Its inferior opening.
Fig. 28.
