Midline Structures of the Pelvis - Anatomy Flashcards
Where is the pubic symphysis located?
Between the left and right pubic bones near the midline of the body.
Located above any external genitalia and in front of the bladder.
How is the bladder attached to the anterior wall?
By the urachus which extends from the apex of the bladder to the anterior wall
What is the urachus a remnant of?
Allantois
What is the urachus overlaid by?
Parietal peritoneum which forms the median umbilican ligament
What does the majority of the bladder have?
Rugae
What is purpose of rugae?
Important in bladder filling as they can flatten and increased SA
Also contract bladder walls
Where is the lateral umbilical ligament found?
Where the inferior epigastric artery ascends through the anterior abdominal wall
What muscle is the bladder made up of?
Detrusor
Why are females more prone to UTIs?
Shorter urethra
What peritoneal pouches are found in women?
- Rectouterine pouch
2. Vesicouterine pouch / utero vesical pouch
Describe the rectouterine pouch
Between uterus and rectum
On anterior surface of rectum and superior surface of uterus
Describe the vesicouterine pouch
Between bladder and uterus
Superior surface of uterus, coming down between uterus and bladder, passing on superior aspect of bladder then coming back to anterior abdominal wall
What are the parts of the uterus?
- Fundus
- Body
- Cervix
- Vaginal opening and vaginal canal
Describe the fundus of the uterus
Most superior pasrt
What does the body of the uterus contain?
Uterine cavity
Describe the cervix of the uterus
Protrudes into the vagina inferiorly
What is found on either side of cervix?
Gutters
Slight depression between cervix and vagina wall –> fornices / a fornix (have an anterior and a posterior)
Where does the uterine tube project from?
Uterine tube
What are the sections of the uterine tube?
- Isthmus (part closest to uterus)
- Ampulla (widest part)
- Infundibulum
Describe the infundibulum
Funnel shape opening near the ovary with fimbriae attached
What is job of fimbriae?
Sweep oocyte into uterine tube as there is a physical gap between ovary and uterine tube
What is the broad ligament?
Double layer of peritoneum.
It extends from the lateral pelvic walls on both sides, and folds over the internal female genitalia, covering their surface anteriorly and posteriorly.
What other ligaments does the broad ligament enclose?
- Round ligament of uterus
- Ovarian ligament
- Suspensory ligament of ovary
Where is the ovarian ligament attached to?
The ovarian ligament is attached to the ovary inferiorly. It connects the ovary to the side of the uterus.
Where is the round ligament of the uterus attached to?
Originates at uterine horns and delves into deep inguinal ring, through inguinal canal and attaches uterus to labia majora
What are the uterine horns?
The points at which the fallopian tubes enter the uterus
What is the suspensory ligament of the ovary?
Extends outwards from the ovary to the lateral abdominal wall. Some sources consider it to be part of the broad ligament.
Function is to contain the ovarian vessels and nerves.
Describe the course of the ureter in relation to iliac vessels?
Passes down anteriorly to iliac vessels
What does the external iliac vessel give off before passing under inguinal ligament?
Inferior epigastric artery
What is the external os?
Opening of uterine cervix into vagina
Describe the angle of the cervix to the vagina
Angle of cervix is at a right angle to the vagina –> angle anteversion
Describe the angle of the uterus to the cervix
Anteflexion
Where does the sperm enter uterus?
External os
In times of infection in females, where can fluid reside? How can this be drained?
In the lowest point of the female pelvis –> rectouterine pouch
This can be drained by inserting needle into vagina and push needle through posterior fornix into the peritoneal cavity
Describe the trigone region of the bladder
Triangular smooth region, contains no contractile structures
Important in bladder emptying, ensures urine reaches urethra
Where is the trigone derived from?
Mesonephric ducts
What is found at the lateral edges of the trigone?
Openings for the ureters
What found inferiorly in the bladder?
Internal urethral orifice (start of urethra)
What peritoneal pouch is found in males?
Rectovesical pouch
Where is the prostate gland found?
Just inferior to neck of bladder
What are the parts of the male urethra?
- Pre-prostatic urethra
- Prostatic urethra
- Membranous urethra
- Spongy penile urethra
Where does the urethra end?
External urethral orifice
Where does the vas deferens originate?
Testes
Describe the course of the vas deferens
Carries sperm from testes within spermatic cord
Enters into pelvis via the inguinal canal
Passes over superior aspect of bladder and meets with seminal vesicle (sperm meets with semen)
Empties into prostatic urethra via the ejaculatory duct
N.B. Prostate gland also contributes to ejaculatory fluid and releases this into the prostatic urethra as well
Where does the vas deferens empty into?
Into prostatic urethra via the ejaculatory duct
What is the epididmyis?
A tube that connects a testicle to a vas deferens found on superior aspect of testicle
What does the seminal vesicle produce?
Semen
What is the bulbourethral gland?
Either of two pea-shaped glands in the male, located beneath the prostate gland
What is function of bulbourethral gland?
When sexually aroused, the glands produce a mucous-like fluid called pre-ejaculate
Also secrete fluid into urethra to neutralise acidity of urine
Where does the vas deferens meet with the seminal vesicles?
Ampulla of vas deferens (an enlargement)
What is the pectinate line?
Delineates parts of the anus that originate from two different embryological origins: External and internal part of anus
What folds are found within the rectum? What is purpose of these folds?
Transverse rectal folds (usually 2 on left and one on right).
Prevent faecal matter passing straight through and having all of weight of faecal matter on anus and anal sphincters.
