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Cow Mammary Gland - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 12:01, 8 July 2008
, 12:01, 8 July 2008→Blood Supply
== Blood Supply ==
== Blood Supply ==
'''''Arteries'''''
* Main artery to the udder is a direct continuation of the '''external pudendal artery'''.
** Enters the base of the udder on its dorsocaudal aspect after passing through the inguinal canal.
** '''Forms a sigmoid flexure''' before dividing into a '''cranial and caudal mammary artery'''.
*** Sigmoid flexure permits the artery to stretch when the udder is full of milk, thus heavier than usual.
** Mammary arteries anastamose with the '''superficial caudal epigastric artery''', which is connected to the '''cranial epigastric artery'''.
* Due to the requirement for extensive blood supply during lactation, there is a small contribution from the '''internal pudendal artery'''.
'''''Veins'''''
* Drainage from the udder is through
** '''External pudendal vein'''
*** Drains through the inguinal canal
*** Sigmoid flexure to allow stretching when the udder fills.
** '''Superficial cranial epigastric veins'''.
* '''Superficial cranial and caudal epigastric veins''' anastamose to form the abdominal ''''milk vein'''':
** Large, tortuous on ventral abdomen.
** Incompetent valves allow blood to flow in either direction. This is important for maintaining drainage of the extensive amount of blood present. For example, if the cow were to lay down, the thin walled veins on that side would be easily occluded.
** passes through the abdominal wall caudal to the costal arch to join the internal thoracic vein, known as the ''''milk well''''.
* '''Furstenburg's venous ring''': the venous circle at the junction of the teat and gland sinuses.