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| | ==Structure== | | ==Structure== |
| | + | |
| | + | * Thick-walled |
| | + | * Non-compliant (firm) |
| | + | * Mare and carnivores have a simple cervix bulging into the vagina to form a distinc recess (vaginal fornix). |
| | + | * Lumen is the cervical canal |
| | + | * Folds surround the lumen |
| | + | ** Single fold and smooth surface in the queen and bitch |
| | + | ** Multiple folds protruding into the cervical canal in the cow, ewe, sow and mare |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | + | === Cow and Ewe === |
| | + | |
| | + | * High volume of mucous production |
| | + | * Multiple folds |
| | + | * Cervical rings form interlocking finger-like projections known as interdigitating prominences. |
| | + | |
| | + | === Sow === |
| | + | |
| | + | * Less mucous secretion |
| | + | * Multiple folds |
| | + | * Cervical folds form rings (cervical rings) |
| | + | |
| | + | === Mare === |
| | + | |
| | + | * Low volume mucous secretion |
| | + | * Multiple folds |
| | + | * Many longitudinal folds of mucosa that protrude into the vagina (fornix vagina) |
| | + | * Soft during oestrus |
| | + | |
| | + | === Bitch === |
| | + | |
| | + | * Single fold |
| | + | * Relatively smooth surface |
| | + | * A portion protrudes into the cranial vagina (fornix vagina). |
| | + | |
| | + | === Queen === |
| | + | |
| | + | * Small |
| | + | * Thick walled compared to the uterus or vagina |
| | + | * Single fold |
| | + | * Smooth surface |
| | | | |
| | ==Function== | | ==Function== |