Anatomy Flashcards
Attachments of the ovary
Mesovarium - attaches the anterior aspect of the ovary to the posterior layer of the broad ligament
Suspensory ligament of the ovary - also referred to as the infundibulopelvic ligament. Attaches superiolaterally. Contains ovarian vessels and nerves
Ovarian ligament - attaches ovary to uterine cornua
Immediate posterior relations of the ovary
Ureter and internal iliac artery
What is the ovarian bursa
peritoneal recess between the medial aspect of the ovary and the mesosalpinx
What is the mesometrium
Part of the broad ligament which extends upwards from the pelvic floor to the ovary and ovarian ligament
Boundaries of the ovary
Above- bifurcation of the iliac vessels
Lateral - the ovarian fossa, and the obturator nerves and vessels
Medial - the fallopian tube
Behind- the ureters and internal iliac artery
Contents of the broad ligament
Fallopian tube, round ligament and ovarian ligament
Anatomy of the broad ligament
- a fold of peritoneum related to either side of the uterus
- Reaches from the lateral pelvic wall creating a septum that divides the pelvis into the anterior region (containing the bladder) and posterior region (containing the rectum)
Size of the ovary
2x3x4cm
Anatomical position of the ovary’s long axis and attachments at the upper and lower poles
Long axis is vertical
- upper pole: infundibulopelvic fold (suspensory ligament of the ovary)
- Lower pole: ovarian ligament
Base of the breast
extends from 2nd rib to 6th rib and overlies the investing fascia of pectoralis major
Lymphatic drainage of the breast
> 75% occurs via the axillary nodes, which cluster around pectoralis minor and the axillary vessels
Remaining drainage is via the para-aortic nodes
Can also occur across the midline and below the diaphragm via interconnecting lymph channels
Blood supply of the breast
Mainly: lateral thoracic artery, which is a branch of the axillary artery. Feeds into the breast through lateral mammary branches
Lateral mammary branches may also arise from lateral cutaneous branches of the posterior intercostal arteries
Medial mammary branches arise from the internal thoracic artery, which is a branch from the first part of the subclavian artery
Structure of the breast
- Divided into 20 lobules, each containing a lactiferous duct
Lactiferous ducts extend in a radial manner toward the nipple, opening onto its surface
Areolar glands also open around the nipple and secrete an oily protective lubricant
Lobules are separated by fibrous tissue that form suspensory ligaments. They extend from the deep fascia covering pec major to the dermis of the skin
Development of the breast
Ducting system is fully established during puberty
Alveolar parts of this system also appear in puberty but the increase in breast size during puberty is due to increased fat deposition
Alveoli and ducts further develop in pregnancy to produce milk
Following pregnancy, breasts return to prep regnant state due to apoptosis and macrophage action
Postmenopause: breast atrophy and decreasing tautness of suspensory ligaments due to declining oestrogen’s
Autonomic nerve supply of the uterus
Sensory fibres of the uterine body and fundus run via the inferior and superior hypogastric plexuses to T11 and T12
Autonomic nerve supply of the cervix
Run via the pelvic splanchnic nerves to S2,3 and 4. Then to the hypogastric plexuses
Autonomic supply of the vagina
The upper vagina sensory fibres run via the pelvic splanchnic nerve to S2,3,4.
The lower vagina runs through the pudendal nerve to S2,3,4
Autonomic supply of the perineum
Fibres run through the pudendal nerve to S2,3,4.
Which classes of nerves supply the genital tract
Uterine body and fundus muscle is sympathetic
Lower part of the uterus (cervix) and upper vagina are parasympathetic (pelvic splanchnic)
Lower vagina and perineum are somatic (via pudendal)
Position of the urinary bladder
Lies in lesser pelvis, but can extend up into the abdominal cavity when distended
Apex is directed toward pubis symphysis, neck lies in the pelvic floor
What is the vesicourethral or utero-vesical pouch
A pouch formed by peritoneal reflection between the superior surface of the bladder and the uterus
What is the median umbilical ligament
It is a fibrous cord covered in a peritoneal fold that represents the closure of the upper end of the vesicourethral canal during embryonic development
What are the ligaments of the bladder
At the apex - median umbilical ligament (continuous with the urachus)
Laterally - the pubovesical ligaments
What are the pubovesical ligaments and where do they run
2 thickened bands pelvic fascia that run from the bladder to the inside aspect of the pubic bone, close to the midpoint of the symphysis.
What is the role of the pubovesical ligaments
Support the bladder neck
Play a role in urinary continence
Describe the mucous membrane of the bladder
Arranged in folds when the bladder is contracted, but smooths out when the bladder distends
What is the trigone and what does it represent
Triangular area on the posterior bladder wall between the distal ends of the ureters and the urethral outlet.
Represents the different developmental origins of the ureter and bladder. The inferior part is from the fusion of the 2 mesonephric ducts on the posterior wall (mesodermal)
How does the mucous membrane of the trigone differ to the rest of the bladder
At the trigone, the mucous membrane is more firmly adherent and doesn’t fold, therefore remains smooth despite contraction of the bladder
Describe the detrusor muscle
The detrusor muscle is the muscle of the bladder. It is smooth muscle arranged in 3 layers:
Outer longitudinal, middle circular sand inner longitudinal layer
How does the detrusor muscle form the sphincter vesicae
The middle circular layer of the detrusor muscle is thin over most of the bladder but thickens at the bladder neck, which forms the sphincter vesicae at the internal urethral orifice
Describe the innervation of the bladder
Receives both sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation within the pelvic plexus
Efferent parasympathetic fibres from the pelvic splanchnic nerves supply detrusor muscle and inhibitory fibres to the sphincter vesicae
What supplies the urethral sphincter
Pudendal nerve
What are the borders of the anal triangle
Posterior aspect of the perineal membrane superiorly
Laterally, the ischial tuberosities and the sacrotuberous ligaments
Where do the ischioanal fossae lie
In the anal triangle, the IA fossae lie laterally to the anal canal, which is in the centre
What are the anal columns and how do they change
The mucous membrane covering the upper part of the anal canal is thrown into folds, known as the anal columns
At the distal end of the anal canal, the anal columns are characterised by having anal valves and sinuses
What is the white line of the anal canal
The transition point between the internal anal sphincter and the subcutaneous part of the external sphincter
Describe the internal anal sphincter
It surrounds the upper 3/4 of the anal canal and lower external sphincter. It is formed by a thickening of the circular muscle of the rectum at the and-rectal junction
What are the 3 layers of the external anal sphincter
Deep layer, with fibres interdigitating with fibres of the puborectalis and muscles of the deep perineal pouch (via the perineal body)
Superficial layer - fibres inserted on the coccyx which contribute to the anococcygeal ligament
Subcutaneous - a thin, horizontal band around the distal part of the anal canal, which lies below the internal sphincter. Some fibres attach to the anococcygeal ligament and perineal body but there is no bony attachment
What is the anococcygeal ligament
A fibromuscular tissue body that separates the anus and the coccyx
What are the 4 main ligaments supporting the uterus
Uterosacral
Broad
Round
Transverse cervical
What are the boundaries of the recto-uterine pouch
Ant: posterior wall of the uterus
Post: rectum
Lat: peritoneal folds passing from the cervix to the posterior walls of the lesser pelvis
What forms the majority and minority of the tissue of the uterus
Bulk is smooth muscle, except for the cervix, which is dense connective tissue
Describe the cervix
Cylindrical lower third of the uterus comprised of dense connective tissue with a relatively unchanging mucosal layer. Has 2 os’s - one which communicates with the uterus (internal os) and one with the vagina (external os)
What changes are noted in the cervix in pregnancy
Increased vascularity and reduced rigidity
Mucus secretions thicken to prevent infection and form mucosal plug
Increased uptake of fluid by mucopolysaccharides which causes loosing of the dense collagen tissue, which allows cervical shortening
Describe the vagina
Muscular canal that lies between the cervix and vestibule and opens onto the perineum
Which muscles compose the anterior abdominal wall
External and internal oblique, transversus abdominis and the recti muscles
What are the origins and insertions of the external obliques
Arise from the outer surfaces of lower 8 ribs and interdigitate with fibres from the seratus anterior and latissimus dorsi
The fibres from the lower 2 ribs pass vertically down and insert on the anterior part of the iliac crest
The other fibres pass inferomedially and become aponeurotic at the level of the tip of the 9th costal cartilage
What is the linea alba and how does it form
It is a tendinous raphe that extends down the midline from the xiphoid process to the pubis symphysis
Aponeurotic fibres of the external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis meet in the midline and fuse, forming the linea alba
At what level is the linea alba interrupted and by what
At the level of the umbilicus
It is interupted by the umbilical vessels, urachus and bite line duct in fetal life, which become:
Median umbilical ligament (remnant of urachus)
Ligamentum teres (umbilical vein), running from the umbilicus to the liver between the falciform ligament
Lateral umbilical ligament (fold of peritoneum encasing the inferior epigastric aa)
How does the external oblique contribute to the inguinal ligament
The lower fibres stretching from the ASIS to the pubic tubercle thicken and fold in on itself forming the inguinal ligament and the flow of the inguinal canal
What is the lacunar ligament and what does it form
At the medial end of the inguinal ligament, the fibres pass posteromedially to the pectineal line to form the lacunar ligament, which forms the medial boundary for the femoral ring
What is the origin of the internal oblique muscle
It arises from the lumbar fascia, lateral part of the inguinal ligament and anterior part of the iliac crest
How do the fibres of internal obliques run and insert
Posterior fibres (from lumbar fascia) ascend to the lower ribs and become continuous with the fibres of the external intercostal muscles Fibres from the iliac crest run superomedially and meet in the midline to contribute to the linea alba Fibres from the inguinal ring arch down and medially, crossing over the round ligament and become aponeurotic, and insert on the pubic crest and medial part of the pectineal line, to form the conjoint tendon (or falx inguinalis)
What is the conjoint tendon and its function
The conjoint tendon is comprised of aponeurotic portions of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles, forming a fibrous tendon.
AKA falx inguinalis
It lies behind the superficial inguinal ring of the inguinal canal which strengthens it
What is the origin of the transversus abdominis
Origin is the same as, but deep to, the internal obliques
Originates from the lumbar fascia, lateral part of the inguinal ligament and the anterior part of the iliac crest
How do the fibres of transversus abdominis run
Fibres are orientated horizontally across the abdomen to contribute to the linea alba
Fibres which originate from the inguinal ligament, pass over the round ligament to contribute to the conjoint tendon
The upper 4/5ths of the aponeurosis runs behind the rectus abdominis, but the lower part from the inguinal ligament and iliac crest run in front
Where does rectus abdominis originate and insert
Originates from the crest and tubercles of the pubis and runs superiorly, broadening as it ascends to insert on the costal cartilages of ribs 5,6 and 7
What are the 3 transverse tendinous insertions of the recti muscles
At the level of the xiphoid process, at the umbilicus and midway between the xiphoid process and umbilicus
How is the rectus sheath formed
Formed from the aponeuroses of the 2 obliques and transversus muscles
The Aponeurosis of the internal oblique divides into 2 laminae at the lateral border of rectus, with one passing superficially above rectus, and the other deep to it.
The transversus aponeurosis runs post, and ext oblique runs anterior to the recti muscles
What happens to the rectus sheath between the umbilicus and the pubis symphysis
A deficiency in the abdominal wall forms as all 3 aponeurosis pass over the rectus muscle, with only the transversals fascia posterior
What is the arcuate line
The point where the transversus and 1/2 thickness of the oblique aponeuroses pass deep to the rectis muscle, and then thins out. It is the point where the inferior epigastric vessels gain access to the rectus sheath
Where do the inferior epigastric arteries arise from
Arise from the external iliac arteries, superior to the inguinal ligament
What is the course of the inferior epigastric artery
Inclines medially from point of origin, and ascends to skirt around the medial margin of the deep inguinal ring before passing through the transversalis fascia at the arcuate line, where it runs up to anastomose with the superior epigastric artery above the level of the umbilicus
What does the inferior and superior epigastric artery supply
They give off small branches from position between the rectus sheath and muscle, which perforate the recti muscles to supply the muscle and skin of the abdomen
What are the 2 points of anastomosis of the inferior epigastric artery
The superior epigastric artery
Some branches of the lower posterior intercostal arteries
What venous structures accompany the inferior epigastric artery
The venae commitantes runs with the epigastric artery, which unite to form the inferior epigastric vein, which drains into the external iliac vein above the inguinal ligament
What are the borders of the inguinal canal
MALT
Superior (roof) - (M)uscles - internal oblique, transversus abdominis
Anterior - (A)poneuroses - external oblique, internal oblique
Lower (floor) - (L)igaments - inguinal, lacunar
PosT - 2Ts - Transversalis fascia, conjoint Tendon
What are the contents of the inguinal canal
The round ligament and the ilioinguinal nerve
Where is the inguinal canal in relation to the inguinal ligament
It is just superior to the medial half of the inguinal ligament
What forms the deep inguinal ring and where does it form
It is formed in the transversalis fascia midway between the ASIS and pubis symphysis
Transversus abdominis fibres arch over it superiorly to form ring, directly lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels
What forms the superficial inguinal ring and where
It is formed above the inguinal ligament, lateral to the pubic tubercle
It is formed by the opening of the external oblique aponeurosis, whose margins thicken to form the lateral and medial crura of the ring
What are the 3 surrounding layers of the round ligament and where do they arise from
Internal spermatic fascia is formed as the round ligament passes through the transversalis fascia at the deep ring
Gains cremasteric fascia as it passes through the internal oblique muscle (gives a degree of muscle fibres, M»F)
External spermatic fascia - as it passes through the external oblique aponeurosis, it gains the last layer