EXTERNAL GENITALIA
External genitalia include the vestibular portion of the outer vagina, the vestibular glands, the labia majora, minora, and clitoris. A structure known as the hymen may occasionally be seen where the outer and posterior vaginas meet.
When an animal begins to cycle, the hymen normally dissolves on its own, but in rare circumstances, it might need to be surgically removed to allow for copulation. The embryological counterpart of the penis, the clitoris, has some erectile tissue. It is deeply buried in the vestibular mucosa of the cow, but it is highly visible in the mare. It is crucial for psycho- sexual satiety and contains a lot of nerve endings. Although the labia are similar to the scrotum, animals’ labia minora are not as well developed. Sebaceous and tubular glands abound in the integument of the labia majora. They have a thin layer of smooth muscles, elastic tissue, fat deposits, and some hair on the outside. During estrus, labia majora become enlarged, clogged, and edematous. Breeding management could benefit from these morphological changes. Similar to male bulbo-urethral glands, sebaceous and Bartholin glands are located in the vestibule and secrete a lubricating mucus to enhance the copulatory process.
Source:
Rana Tanmoy (ed.). Principles of Veterinary Animal Physiology. CRC Press,2026. — 290 p.. 2026
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