VETS 401 Exam 3 Female Reproductive Anatomy

Components of female reproductive system

Paired gonads (ovaries); Paired uterine tubes; Uterus; Vagina; Vestibule; Vulva

Location of ovaries in adult animal

In dorsal abdomen, close to uterine horns

Location of ovaries in newborn

Lateral aspect of the pelvis, close to the anterior superior iliac spines, just below the iliac crests and umbilicus, and above the pubic symphysis

Location of ovaries in fetus

Initially located in the false pelvis, migrating towards their final position between the internal and external iliac arteries by the end of the 40th week

Ovaries have both _____ and _____ functions.

Endocrine; exocrine

What tissue surrounds the ovaries in females?

Broad ligament (mesovarium)

What tissue surrounds the uterine tubes in females?

Broad ligament (mesosalpinx)

What tissue surrounds the reproductive tract in females?

Broad ligament (mesometrium)

Components of ovarian structure

Visceral peritoneal lining; cortex; medulla

Visceral peritoneal lining in ovaries

Superficial epithelium

Outer zone of ovarian structure

Cortex

Contents of cortex in ovaries

Follicles in various stages of development; corpora lutea; connective tissue

Contents of medulla in ovaries

Blood vessels; nerves; lymphatics; smooth muscle; connective tissue

Inner zone of ovarian structure

Medulla

Ovarian structure in mares, dogs, and cats

Caudal to kidneys (sublumbar region)

Ovarian structure in cows, ewes, and sows

Pelvic inlet due to caudal migration

Cortex and medulla in mare

Reversed; cortex is central, surrounded by medulla

Cortex (ovary)

Medulla (ovary)

Broad ligament (mesometrium)

Proper ligament of the ovary

Attaches ovaries to the uterus

Uterine tubes / salpinx / Fallopian tubes

Infundibulum

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections on the ends of your fallopian tubes closest to your ovaries

Fimbriae

Uterine ampulla and isthmus

Uterus/Uterine horns

Cervix

External uterine ostium (external urethral orfice)

Opening into uterine body

Internal uterine ostium (internal urethral orfice)

Opening into vagina

Internal uterine ostium

External uterine ostium

Vagina

Vestibule

Vulva

Explain this statement: “The abdominal opening in the center of the infundibulum is the only opening of the peritoneal cavity to the outside in the female animal.” (Pasquini, Ch VIII, p 340, 11^th ed)

Abdominal opening in infundibulum to uterine tube, into uterine horn, then uterine body and cervix, is only opening from peritoneal cavity to external body in females; Males have no such opening

Structure of the ovary in cows ewes, and sows

Pelvic inlet - due to caudal migration

Location of the ovary in mares, dogs, and cats

Caudal to kidneys - sublumbar region

Location of ovulation in mare

Ovulation fossa; central depression on the ovary

Where does fertilization occur in domestic animals?

Uterine tubes

Uterine tubes

Narrow, flexible tubes that capture released ova; carry fertilized ova to tip of uterine horn; convey sperm to ovary from the uterus; site of fertilization

Implantation (what is implanted?)?

Sperm

What’s in the uterine tubes

Infundibulum; Ampulla – proximal portion, abdominal orifice; Isthmus; Suspended in the broad ligament - mesosalpinx

Infundibulum

Expanded, funnel-shaped free cranial end of tube; irregular, finger-like projections (tags) arise from free edge of infundibulum; may actually come in contact with the ovary – adhesions

Ampulla

Proximal portion of uterine tubes, abdominal orifice

Isthmus

Distal portion of uterine tube, joins uterine horn

Mesosalpinx

Suspended in the broad ligament

Layers of uterine wall

Serosa; muscle; mucosa; caruncles (ruminants); broad ligament

Serosa layer of uterine wall

Contains perimetrium

Muscle layer of uterine wall

Contains myometrium

Mucosa layer in uterine wall

Contains endometrium

Caruncles layer in uterine wall

Found in ruminants

Myometrium

Located in muscle layer of uterine wall; Weak longitudinal and stronger circular layers; Very vascular

Perimetrium

Located in serosa layer of uterine wall

Endometrium

Located in mucosa layer of uterine wall; Thick layer with numerous tubular glands

Broad ligament (Mesometrium)

Supportive tissue; Suspends uterus in peritoneal cavity

Caruncles

In ruminants; regularly spaced, circular to ovoid, specialized thickenings

Uterus/uterine horns in carnivores

Very long compared to uterine body

Uterus/uterine horns in sows

Very long, almost intestine-like loops

Uterus/uterine horns in mares

Relatively short horns, equal length to body

Uterus/uterine horns in cows/ewes

Horns longer than body, coiled at ends (bound by intercornual ligaments)

What is the blood supply to/from the ovaries?

Ovarian arteries and uterine arteries

What is the blood supply to/from the uterus?

Uterine arteries and branches from the ovarian arteries

What does the term “gravid” mean? Non-gravid?

"gravid" (Latin: gravidus "burdened, heavy") is used to describe the condition of an animal (most commonly fish or reptiles) when carrying eggs internally

What is the fornix? What is the significance of this structure?

Craniodorsal recess in cow/ewe

What is the urethral diverticulum? What is its significance?

Part of vulva found in cows/ewes

What is the female homologue to the penis?

Clitoris

Homologue

Structures or traits that share a common evolutionary origin, meaning they are similar in structure or position, even if they have different functions in different organisms

Os penis

The bone found in the penis of carnivores

Os clitoridis

The bone found in the clitoris of carnivores

Vestibular bulbs

Organized erectile venous tissue; Allow the “tie” to occur when bulbs press against penis caudal to the enlarged bulb of the glans penis

Location of vestibular bulbs

In vestibule walls

What species do we find vestibular bulbs?

Mare and bitch