W 934

Reproductive Anatomy of the Cow/Heifer

A basic introduction to the components of the reproductive tract with discussion
about their importance in managing cows and heifers

Courtnie Carter, Beef Program Coordinator and Graduate Student

Justin Rhinehart, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Animal Science

Understanding reproductive anatomy is critical to understanding reproductive management strategies. Think

about the reproductive tract as a system of biological tubes that are designed to accomplish all the tasks required
to create a new calf from conception to calving. The tubing looks diferent in areas that accomplish specifc tasks,
so each section of tubing has a unique name.
Here is a list of the names for each section shown in Figure 1 with the corresponding number. Figure 2 provides an
internal view of the same structures.

1. Vulva 3. Cervix 5. Ovaries

2. Vagina 4. Uterus

4 4
5 5 5
5
3
3

2 2

1 1

Figure 1: Heifer reproductive tract with other Figure 2: The same heifer reproductive tract
tissue removed to display the anatomy. as in Figure 1, opened to display the inner
components of this “system of tubes.”

1 Reproductive Anatomy of the Cow/Heifer

 An important feature of the cow/heifer reproductive tract is its location. Manipulation of the reproductive tract
for various management practices, such as rectal palpation for pregnancy diagnosis or artifcial insemination, is
possible because the reproductive tract is positioned immediately underneath, and runs parallel to, the exit of the
digestive tract (rectum). The following sections provide more details about each anatomical structure of the cow/
heifer reproductive tract with emphasis on the traits important to making reproductive management decisions.

Cervix

Rectum
Ovaries
Vagina
Uterine Horn

Pelvic Bone
Bladder
Oviducts

Teats

Figure 3: Cow silhouette showing location of the reproductive tract

Vulva
The outermost portion of the reproductive tract is the vulva. This structure protects the reproductive tract by
keeping out larger debris. Although the vulva is a relatively small portion of the entire tract, its visibility provides
clues to what might be occurring in the rest of the tubing system. For instance, it becomes swollen and displays
more movement when a heifer or cow approaches calving – this is often referred to as “springing.” The swelling
and movement indicate similar structural changes are happening within the rest of the system to prepare
for calving. A swollen vulva and mucus discharge can be indicators of estrus and assist in the application of
reproductive technologies such as artifcial insemination and embryo transfer.

Vagina
The area from the vulva to the beginning of the cervix is known as
the vagina. The vagina receives the bull’s penis during natural mating,
and semen is deposited near the entrance of the cervix. The fornix
vagina is a 360-degree pocket that surrounds the opening of the
cervix. It functions to hold semen for a short amount of time as it is
pulled into the cervix by contractions and moves through the other
components of the tubular tract. In artifcial insemination, the fornix
vagina is often referred to as the “blind pocket” and can be a difcult
obstacle when attempting to insert an insemination rod into the
cervical os (entrance of the cervix; Figure 4).
Figure 4: Fornix vagina (green circle) and the Cervical os
(entrance to the cervix).

2 Reproductive Anatomy of the Cow/Heifer

 Cervix
The cervix acts as a line of defense between the vagina and uterus. It
can be thought of as a narrow, difcult to navigate passage that helps
keep foreign material from entering the uterus from the vagina. The
cervix is tightly closed when the cow or heifer is pregnant, and a thick
mucus is produced to protect the developing fetus and/or uterus from
outside environmental materials. The cervix has protruding internal
folds that interlock to further aid in protection of the uterus (Figure 5;
sometimes called “rings”). This passageway dilates when the cow or
heifer is in heat and the mucus thins to aide in moving sperm through
the tract.

Uterus
The uterus in cattle is composed of three distinct regions: the uterine
body and two uterine horns. Following the cervix, the uterine body
remains a single tube. The uterine body is approximately 1 inch in
length and functions as a “common area” of the two uterine horns that
follow. When performing artifcial insemination, the uterine body is the Figure 5: Internal view of the cervix displaying the
internal folds or “rings.”
optimal point of sperm deposition.
The end of the uterine body is marked by a divide where the tube system splits into a mirror image pair of each
structure. The paired components include uterine horns, oviducts and the ovaries. Together, the uterine body and
two uterine horns make a “Y” shape. The point at which the horns begin to fork can be felt when palpating the
tract and is often referred to as the external bifurcation. The uterine horns support sperm transportation to the
oviducts and are the site for fetal growth and development during pregnancy.
Each uterine horn has structures along the inner lining called caruncles. Structures on the placenta called
cotyledons attach to these areas during pregnancy (Figure 6). When the caruncles and cotyledons are fused
together, they are called placentomes. These areas can be easily recognized by palpation throughout mid- to late
pregnancy and their presence or absence can be used to help diagnose pregnancy status. Blood vessels in these
areas transfer nutrients from the dam’s blood into the placenta, which are then carried into the fetus through the
umbilical cord to support growth and development of the fetus. Similarly, waste products in the fetus’ blood are
carried out through the placentomes into the dam’s blood.
Figure 6: The left image shows placenta removed from the uterus to show the cotyledons. Note the blood vessels
leading to and from each structure; they carry the fetus’ blood to and from the umbilical cord to pick up nutrients
from the dam and dispose of waste. The right image shows caruncles on the inside lining of the uterus.

Figure 6: Placenta removed from the uterus to show the cotyledons (note the blood vessels leading to and from each structure;
they carry the fetus’ blood to and from the umbilical cord to pick up nutrients and dispose of waste).

3 Reproductive Anatomy of the Cow/Heifer

 Oviducts
Continuing through the reproductive tract, the oviducts are connected to the ends of each uterine horn and
function as a bridge between the uterine horn and the ovary (Figure 7). Several important things happen in the
oviduct that lead to fertilization. The new embryo remains in the oviduct for about 6-7 days. The oviducts are
divided into three diferent segments: the infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus. The infundibulum can be viewed as
a funnel, not only due to its shape but also its function to catch the oocyte when ovulation of a follicle occurs. The
ampulla makes up the middle portion of the oviduct, and functions to move the oocyte to be fertilized. Fertilization
occurs in the oviduct at the ampullary-isthmus junction. The isthmus is the fnal segment of the oviduct that
connects to the uterine horns.

Uterotubal junction Ampullary-Isthmic junction

(junction of uterus and oviduct) (site of fertilization)

Tip of the uterine horn

Infundibulum
(wraps around the ovary
to “catch” the oocyte)
Figure 7: An ovary and oviduct with surrounding connective tissue.

Ovaries
The ovaries are components of the tract that are not tubular. They house the oocytes, often called eggs, which will
be released and move into the oviduct to be fertilized. From there, they become the embryo that develops into a
fetus and eventually becomes a newborn calf. The ovaries are also responsible for making hormones that are
important for maintaining either pregnancy or normal estrous cycles. Figures 8 and 9 show the general shape and
size of the ovaries with two major structures: a follicle, and a corpus luteum, respectively.

Figure 8: An ovary with a dominant follicle present. Figure 9: An ovary with a corpus luteum (CL) present.

The basic knowledge of the cow and heifer reproductive anatomy described in this publication will make the
purposes of various reproductive management practices easier to understand. In turn, understanding the
importance of reproductive technologies, such as artifcial insemination, embryo transfer and reproductive
ultrasound will lead to better decision making and implementation by cattle producers.

4 Reproductive Anatomy of the Cow/Heifer

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