Vagina and Vestibule - Anatomy & Physiology
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Introduction
The vagina constitutes the cranial part of the female copulatory organ and the vestibule constitutes the caudal part.
Anatomical Boundaries
Vagina
- Extends from the external ostium of the Uterus to the entrance of the Urethra.
- Long and thin walled.
- Located in the median position within the pelvic cavity.
- Located between the rectum dorsally and bladder ventrally.
- Mostly retroperitoneal, but the cranial parts are covered by peritoneum.
Cow & Mare
- Protruding cervix restricts the lumen of the cranial vagina to a ring-like space known as the fornix.
Vestibule
- Extends from the external urethral opening to the external vulva, so combines urinary and reproductive functions.
- Shorter than the vagina.
- Lies mostly behind the ischial arch, sloping ventrally to its opening at the vulva.
- The wall contains vestibular glands.
- Secretions from these glands keeps the mucosa of the vestibule moist and facilitates coitus and parturition.
- At oestrus, the odour of these secretions sexually stimulates the male.