Anatomy Flashcards
What is the only true female reproductive organ?
Ovaries
What makes up the pelvic cavity?
Ovaries, uterine tube, uterus, superior part of the vagina
Name the contents of the perineum
Inferior part of the vagina, perineal muscles, Bartholin’s glands, clitoris, labia
What is the peritoneum?
Thin, transparent serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and wraps around organs - covers superior aspect of organs
Name the two peritoneal pouches in females
Vesico-uterine
Recto-uterine (Pouch of Douglas)
What is the clinical significance of the Pouch of Douglas?
Most inferior part of the peritoneal cavity can collect excess fluid
How is the pouch of Douglas drained?
Though the posterior fornix of the vagina
Describe the broad ligament
Double layer of peritoneum that extends between the uterus and the lateral walls of the pelvic floor - helps to maintain the uterus in the midline position
Describe the round ligament
Embryological remnant attaches to the lateral aspect of the uterus, passes through the deep inguinal ring to attach to the superficial tissue of the perineum
Name the three layers of the uterus
- perimetrium
- myometrium
- endometrium
Where does implantation occur?
Body of the uterus
What is the common position of the uterus?
Anteverted and anteflexed
Describe the term anteverted and anteflexed
Cervix is tipped anteriorly relative to axis of the vagina
Uterus tipped anteriorly relative to axis of cervix
Name the common variation of uterus position
Retroverted and retroflexed
Describe the different parts of the uterine tubes
Isthmus, ampulla, infundibulum with fimbrae which open into the peritoneal cavity
What is the disadvantage of the uterine tubes opening into the peritoneal cavity?
Infection can enter here
How many fornix can be found in the vagina?
4
Anterior
Posterior
2 lateral
What two triangles can be separated by an imaginary line between the two ischial spines?
Urogenital
Anal
What is the function of the pelvic floor?
Provides support to pelvic organs and maintains continence
Name the two muscles of the pelvic diaphragm
- levator ani
- coccygeus
What are the three parts of the levator ani?
- puborectalis (pubic bone and anus)
- pubococcygeus (pubic bone and coccyx)
- iliococcygeus (ilium and coccyx)
Describe the perineal body
Collection of collagenous/elastic tissue into which the perineal muscles attach
Describe the action of levator ani
All tonically contracted most of the time, must relax to allow urination and defection
What nerve supplies the levator ani?
Pudendal nerve and nerve to levator ani
Which nerve innervates coccygeus?
Branches of S4 and S5
What two structures give additional support to the pelvic floor?
Endo-pelvic fascia
Pelvic ligaments
Name four pelvic ligaments
- uterosacral
- transverse cervical
- lateral ligament of bladder
- lateral rectal ligaments
Where can the deep perineal pouch be found?
Shallow compartment lies between the fascia covering the inferior pelvic diaphragm and the perineal membrane
Describe the contents of the deep perineal pouch
Part of urethra and vagina, bulbourethral gland in males, neuromuscular bundle (clitoris/penis), anterior extensions of ischioanal fat pads, muscles
Which muscles are found in the deep perineal pouch?
External urethral sphincter
Compressor urethrae
Deep transverse perineal muscle (males)
Band of smooth muscle (females)
Where is the perineal membrane?
Superficial to the deep perineal pouch
What is the perineal membrane made of and where does it attach?
Thin sheet of tough deep fascia.
Attaches laterally to the pubic arch and closes over the urogenital triangle
Where is the superficial perineal pouch?
Superficial to the perineal membrane
What does the superficial perineal pouch contain in women?
Clitoris and crura - covered by ischiocavernosus
Bulbs of vestibule - covered by bulbospongiosus
Bartholins glands, transverse perineal muscle branches of vessels and nerves
What does the superficial perineal pouch contain in men?
Bulb - corpus spongiosum (bulbospongiosus)
Crura - corpus cavernosum (ischiocavernosus)
Proximal spongy urethra, superficial transverse perineal muscle, pudendal nerves/vessels
Where does the breast extend to/from?
Ribs 2-6
What does the breast tissue sit on?
Deep fascia covering the pecs major and serratus anterior
Name the space found between the fascia and breast
Retromammary Space
How is the breast tissue attached to the skin?
Suspensory ligaments
Where does most lymph from the breast drain?
Ipsilateral axillary then supraclavicular nodes
Where can lymph from the inner quadrants of the breast drain?
Parasternal nodes
Where can lymph from the lower quadrants drain?
Abdominal nodes
What is the arterial supply to the breast?
- anterior intercostal branches of the internal thoracic artery from the subclavian artery
- branches of the axillary
- posterior intercostal arteries
What is the venous drainage of the breast?
Axillary vein and internal thoracic vein
What is the tissue extending to the mid-axillary line called?
Tail of Spence
What bones make up the lateral pelvic wall?
Pubis, ischium and ilium
Name three ligaments found in the lateral pelvic wall
Sacrospinous
Sacrotuberous
Obturator Membrane
What does the obturator membrane fill?
The obturator foramen - NVB passes through the canal
What do the sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments form?
Greater and lesser sciatic foramen
Name four muscles that are in the lateral pelvic wall
Levator ani
Obturator Internus
Piriformis
Coccygeus
Where does the levator ani attach?
Tendinous arch - band of thickened fascia from the obturator interns muscle
Where does the obturator internus tendon pass?
Between the superior and inferior gemellus
Describe the route of the piriformis muscle
Passes through the greater sciatic foramen and attaches to the greater trochanter of the femur
Why is the piriformis an important landmark?
Where the sciatic nerve emerges and the gluteal nerve divides