Rectal exam, ovarian ultrasound and anatomy identification

what are we looking for when ultrasounding an ovary?

• anechoic fluid fiilled structures = follicles } specifically their size so we can know if any are dominant or not

• look for CLs - more mediuim echogenicity structures

why rectal exam the reproductive tract? (4)

1. pregnany diagnosis

2. not seen bulling

3. post natal check

4. abnormal reproductive signs

what is the method for rectalling a cow for a reproductive rectal?

1. lubricate hand

2. grasp tail with non-examining hand

3. hold slightly raised and to one side

4. wipe lubricant onto anus

5. cone fingers and tuck thumb in cone

6. gently ease hand through anus using body weight

7. open hand once inside anus and around wrist

what reproductive structure do we want to palpate first per rectum?

• cervix

How do we want to hold the cervix per rectum exam?

• grab it over the top, scooping it into your palm and move to midline of pelvis

how do we palpate up the uterine horns?

• use thumb and index finger to palpate forward over length of horn, first over ventral curve, then laterally to its tip

what od we want to try palpate on the ovary

• any follicles - be gentle!

• any corpora lutea

when pregnancy diagnosing per rectum, on the ipsilateral horn of the pregnancy, what should we palpate on the ovary?

• a corpus luteum

should we be able to palpate the oviduct per rectum?

• no

  • if we can it’s often indicative of a pathology

desscribe the pathway of uterus palpation per rectum

1. identify cervix and hold correctly

2. move up the horn that is easiest for the hand rectal examining

3. palpate its ovary

4. work your way back along to the cornual ligament/uterus body

5. move up the other horn and palpate the ovary as well

from what point should we be able to palpate per rectum a pregnancy?

• 6 weeks

what are signs of pregnancy per rectal palpation

• uterine horn enlargement

• grape sized embryonic vesicle (if palpable)

• slightly turgid/fluid feel to uterine horn

• ‘‘membrane slip’’

from what day is transrectal ultrasound performed for pregnancy diagnosing?

• 28 days

describe the ultrasound machine setup for transrectal ultrasonography

• real time B-mode

• linear array

• 7.5mHz

• transducer probe

give 7 reasons we want to use ultrasound for diagnosis of pregnancy

1. increased accuracy?

2. definitive diagnosis earlier than manual

3. identify whether foetus/embryo is alive

4. can more accurately determine stage of pregnancy

5. detect twins

6. better to identify ovarian structure

7. client can see conceptus

Identify A-F

A = bulbourethral gland

B = prostate

C = ampulla

E = seminal gland

F1 = crus of penis

F2 = ischiocavernosus muscle

Identify D

• Deep inguinal ring

Identify A-H

A- testes

B - cremaster muscle

C - tail of epididymis

E - parietal vaginal tunic and spermatic fascia

F = retractor penis

G = ductus deferens

H = spermatic cord

What species is this?

• small ruminant - sheep

identify A -D

A = corpus luteum

B = oviduct

C = uterine artery

D = caruncles

What will structure A become?

• corpus albicans (A = corpus luteum)

what will happen inside structure B?

• fertilisation

what is special about the venous return in this speices?

• veins form a plexus around coiled ovarian artery

what type of placenta attaches here?

• synepitheliochorial, cotyledonary non diffuse

which species have a similar placenta but how its its shape of the caruncles different?

• cow - caruncles are convex as opposed to concave in small ruminants

What species is this from?

• female dog

give the structures A-E

A = suspensory ligament

B = right uterine horn

C = left ovarian vain

D = emsovarium/ovary

E = right ureter

How is ligament A different in cats to this species?

• long and elastic in cats

  • short and inelastic in dogs

which ligament supports structure B?

• mesometrium

which vessel connects to C?

• left renal vein

the ligament which supports D continues as which other ligament?

• proper ligament

in which condition does structure E open into the vagina?

• ectopic ureter

Label A + B

• A = amnion

• B = chorioallantois

1. name the species

2. label A + B

1. dog/cat

2. A = allantoamnion B = zonary, endotheliochorial

Identify A + B

A = medial suspensory ligament

B = lateral suspensory ligament