The shape of the free end of the bovine penis during erection and protrusion.

Illustrations in some anatomy textbooks purporting to be left lateral views of the organ are in fact right lateral views. The origin of this error is discussed. The variability in normal shape is described in 55 living bulls and 20 excised specimens from bulls of different breeds. The importance of a correct understanding of normal anatomy in clinical examination and surgery of the bovine penis is emphasised.