Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION

CHAPTER 10
Uterine horn
Intercornual
ligament
Ovary
Mesosalpinx
Body of uterus
Broad ligament
Oviduct
Fimbria of
oviduct
Cervical canal
External os of cervix
Anterior vagina
Figure 10.4 Anatomical details of the
bovine genital tract.
end of pregnancy fremitus is palpable in both middle
uterine arteries.
Findings on rectal examination
The clinician’s hand enclosed within its protective
plastic sleeve and the rectum can be moved quite
widely within the cow’s pelvis. The bony limits of
the pelvis can be readily identified as firm immobile
structures. The roof of the pelvis is formed by the
sacrum and coccygeal vertebrae, the walls by the
wing of the ilium on either side and the floor by
the fused pubic bones. The caudal border of the lobed
left kidney can be palpated just anterior to the pelvic
inlet: it lies just to the right of the midline beneath the
lumbar vertebrae. The size of the genital tract is very
variable depending on the age of the animal and its
reproductive state. The cervix is usually readily
found and the other parts of the tract can be identified
from that point.
Cervix This is found close to the midline of the
pelvic floor. It is located by initially exerting gentle
manual pressure on the pelvic floor and resting the
fingers on the pubic bones. The fingers are then
moved laterally from one side to the other but maintaining
downward pressure until contact is made
with the firm, smooth cylindrical cervix. In heifers
the cervix is about 2 cm in width and 4 cm in length. In
these animals, where the entire genital tract is within
the pelvis, the cervix is found on the pelvic floor approximately
half way between the caudal border of
the pubis and the pelvic brim cranially. The cervix is
much firmer than adjacent soft tissues and can be
moved laterally to a limited extent.
In older multiparous cows the cervix is 4 to 5 cm
in width and 8 cm in length. Just before and after
calving the cervix feels softer to the touch and may be
10 cm or more in width. It may lie just behind, on or
over the pelvic brim. In pregnant animals lateral
movement of the cervix is very limited as it is pulled
tightly forwards by the weight of the pregnant uterus.
Uterus This is located by moving the hand forwards
from the cervix. In heifers the body and horns
of the uterus, which normally lies entirely in the
pelvis, can be readily enclosed in the clinician’s hand.
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