MALE:	ANATOMY OF REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM IN THE CAT ©David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D., Professor of Biology and Chemistry University of Cincinnati Clermont College, Batavia OH 45103	FEMALE:
vas deferens emerges from inguinal canal, loops over the ureter and descends behind the bladder	This page has been accessed  times since 20 May 2003.  29 May 1990, rvsd 26 March '94, 25 Mar '95, 16 May 1996, 22 May 97, 29 May '97, 28 Mar 01, 24 Mar 02, 28 May 02	left female reproductive tract with peritoneum removed

Locate each of the following features (sex appropriate) in your cat, note the role of each in the reproductive process, and make a quick illustration showing the spatial relationships between them and other major landmarks in the abdominal cavity and groin.

After you have found the features appropriate to the sex of your cat, show them to a second pair of students who have the opposite sex cat, and have them do the same for you. (You show them yours, they show you theirs...)

Three illustrations:
    1) female anatomy
    2) male anatomy
    3) dissected scrotum, at the bottom of the male's page.

See Gilbert's  Pictorial Anatomy of the Cat, pp: 52-59.

I. FEMALE: (pp. 54 & 55)
Here are the features you should identify in the following pictures

ovarian arteries, R & L
ovarian veins, R & L (carefully note origin of L vein)
fimbriae (surround ovary like catcher's mitt)
abdominal ostium (opening to Fallopian tubes)
Fallopian tube (circle behind ovary to uterine horn, very short)
uterine horns (cats have two horns)
ovarian ligament (ties ovary to uterine horn)
broad ligament (ties uterine horn to abdominal wall, formed by folding of the peritoneum)
round ligament (imbedded in a fold of the broad ligament)
body of uterus (where two uterine horns join, behind bladder)

	Here is a labeled version of the first image .
	left ovary, vessels and uterine horn, first with peritoneum, then peritoneum removed.
	Undissected left female reproductive tract.  Note the tract is retroperitoneal.  Here is a labeled version of the image .
	Right ovary with fimbria pulled back, vessels and uterine horn.  Ovaries in the cat are the size and shape of pine nuts. Here is a labeled image of the left ovary with the fimbria pulled back.
	BROAD AND ROUND LIGAMENTS: Upper image shows the left tract Here is a labeled image of the ligaments of the female reproductive tract.. The lower image shows the right tract.
	the probe has been inserted under the fimbria of the R side
	ovarian ligament, indicate with the needle, ties ovary to fallopian tube
	broad ligament with probe underneath, ovary at extreme right of image
	the osteum leadds from inside the fibria into the fallopian tube.  Ovary at extreme right.
	uterine body, bladder pulled down Here are images of two cats which were pregnant.

II. MALE: (pp. 52,53 & 56)

	kidney & renal veins testicular arteries R & L testicular veins R & L (carefully note L vein) vas deferens (also called ductus deferens)  Here is a labeled version of the image .
	The right inguinal canal receives the right testicular artery and vein and the right vas deferens.   Here is a labeled version of the image .
	vas deferens (also called ductus deferens)  (loops over ureter at the bladder) bladder and ureters (Show vas looping over) Here is a labeled version of the image .
	inguinal canal (receives arteries, veins and vas deferens) [Not a very clear image...]
	spermatic cord (all the above wrapped in peritoneum, anterior to pubis )
	Both spermatic cords can be seen in this image.  The left spermatic cord descend to the left testis.   Here is a labeled version of the image .
	III. SCROTUM DISSECTION: Shallowly snip open the tip of the scrotum. Snip skin towards body to free tunica vaginalis-encased testis. (Gilbert, p. 58)  scrotum  testes
	Pull down on testis, cut spermatic cord high up.
	Slip tip of scissors into sleeve, snip to "peel" tunica vaginalis from contents: tunica vaginalis  gubernaculum
	The testis has been revealed by cutting and peeling back the parietal tunica vaginalis epididymis and testis  vas deferens Here is a labeled view of the medial and lateral views of the scrotal contents.

Other images...