1. female reproductive anatomy Flashcards
which female genital organs arise from the paramesonephron
gonads, uterine tube, uterus, vagina
which female genital organs originate from the urogenital sinus
vestibule, vulva, clitoris
discus morphology of the bovine ovary
2 main structures:
- follicles (on whole surface, fluid filled at later stages)
- corpus luteum = solid tissue structures that can take up much of the ovary
germinal epithelium is in the cortex, medulla central with lymph and vasculature
most species have this morphology
discuss morpholigy of the equine ovary
- have ovarian fossa with germinal epithelium - cortex is in this area only
- vascular zone is peripheral
- fossicles only rupture at ovarian fossa
list the layers of the uterine tube
- serosa
- muscularis (2 layers = circular and longitudianl) for peristaltic movement)
- submucosa
- mucosa
what are the 3 regions of the uterine tube
- infundibulum (covered with fimbriae = long finger like folds that captures oocyte)
- ampulla next to ovary
- isthmus next to uterus
what is the function of the uterine tube
- sperm transport and storage
- catching the oocyte
- oocyte transport
- environment for fertilisation
- secretions initiate sperm capacitation and aids in fertilisation and early development
compare the uterine tube in the mare and the bitch
mare: undulating and wavy, ovarian bursa wide open
bitch: runs within bursa wall, high deposits of adipose tissue with mesosalphinx in bursa, curves abounr ovary, bursa closed except small opening
what is the structure of the walls of the uterus
- endometrium (submucosa and mucosa)
- myometrium (muscularis)
- serosa (perimetrium)
what are the functions of the uterus
- sperm transport/storage
- production of prostaglandin F2a to control cyclical activity (except in bitch and primates)
- environment for early embryo (via secretion of histotroph)
- contribution to the placenta
- partuition (mymetrium contractions)
what are the different tyes of uteri
outline some points of uterine morphology in the cow
- uterine horns are curled back
- uterine body is short
outline some points of uterine morphology in the sow
- uterine horns are long and coiled in a caudal direction
- very small uterine body
outline some points of uterine morphology in the mare
- ovaries are sub lumbar and dorsal in position
- uterine horns are straight and uterine body is long
outline some points of uterine morphology in the dog
- ovaries are sub lumbar but mesovarium is short so position is dorsal
- uterine horns are striaght and uterine body is short
discuss endometrium in the sow and mare compared to the cow and ewe
which species have cervical rings
single: bitch and queen
multiple: cow, ewe, sow
what is the function of the cervix
- barrier for the uterus during pregnancy and other stages
- varying level of patency during oestrus across species (sperm transport)
- produces mucus during oestrus to lubricate vagina, flush foreign material and minimise introduction of microorganisms
- under influence of pregnancy, prolonged progesterone = mucus becomes more viscous and glues folds together to form seal
what are the functions of the vagina/vestibule
- copulation
- partuitiuon
- micturition
what is the fornix vagina
in the cow, mare and bitch the cervix protrudes into cranial vagina forming a crypt
outline the segments of the vagina histologically
- cranial vagina = closest to cervix with secretory epithelium
- caudal vagina stratified squamous epithelium
- vestibule = stratified squamous
what are some relevent anatomical features of the vestibule
explain how the anatomy of the vulva is unique in horses
clitoris under a trnasverse frenulum
clitoris surrounded by clitoral fossa
clitoral sinus can harbour pathogenic bacteria
what are the functions of the broad ligament
- supports and suspends the reproductive tract
- houses vascular supply, lymphatic drainage and nerves
what are the components of the broad ligament
- Mesovarium: Houses blood and lymphatics supplying ovary
- Mesosalpinx: Supports uterine tube and serves as bursa like pouch surrounding ovary
- Mesometrium: Supports uterine horns and body of uterus
what is the function of the suspensor ligament
tethers ovary to dorsal abdominal cavity
what is the function of the proper ligament
connection between ovary and uterine tube
where is the round ligament fount
runs caudal from the tip of the uterine horn to the inguinal canal to vulva
bitch: passes through inguinal canal and is homologous to the gubernaculum
what is the function of the round ligament
- runs with broad ligament, provides secondary support for uterus within pelvis
- keeps uterus in anteverted position flexed forward over bladder
what is the vascular supply to the female reproductive tract
- uterine artery (from iliac artery) runs within broad ligament (not in cats and dogs)
- ovarian artery (directly off aorta) supplies ovary and uterine branch supplies tip of uterine horn
- vaginal artery (branch of internal iliac)
in the mare, the uterine artery branches from
external iliac (unlike in cows where it branches from internal iliac)
what is the innervation of the ovaries
sympathetic from mesenteric plexus
what is the nervous supply to the uterus, cervix and vagina
parasympathetic and sympathetic from pelvic plexus
bitch - horns are Y shaped, long and each ends bluntly
what species
mare - horns flattened T shape and ovarian and end rounded and blunt
sow - extremely long horns loosely arranged in coild
cow - see caruncles inside
horns curled caudally so that the ovary is close to body of uterus
horns taper into uterine tubes and are relatively long
ewe - similar to cow, horns curled caudally so that ovary is close to body of uterus
