Anatomy Of Female Repro Tract Flashcards
How are the ovaries attached?
Attached to the posterior surface of the broad ligament of the uterus via the mesovarium.
Also the ovarian suspensory ligament attaches laterally to pelvic walls and the ovarian ligament attaches back to the uterus.
Explain the organisation of follicles in the ovary
There are two populations-
Growing follicles- smaller; only 1 follicle fully matures each menstrual cycle.
Reserve follicles- provides follicles for smaller group and is depleted and exhausted ~ 50yrs.
What are the histological layers of the ovary?
Medulla- neurovascular tissue
Cortex- contain ovarian follicles and connective tissue
Surface epithelium- simple cuboidal epithelium
What is the vascular supply to the ovaries?
Right and left Ovarian arteries from abdominal aorta below the renal artery (due to embryological development)
Venous drainage is by the right and left ovarian veins, the right ovarian vein drains directly into the IVC and the left ovarian drains into the left renal vein. (REMEMBER: LEFT kidney is LOWER)
What can cause ovarian cysts?
Normally derived from follicles which either do not release their ovum or do not regress once the ovum is released. They are fluid filled sacs ~2cm.
Where does the ovarian lymph drain to?
The para-aortic nodes
What is the role of the uterine tubes?
Conduct oocytes into uterine cavity
He are the uterine tubes adapted to carry out this function?
Inner mucosa is ciliated columnar cells to waft ovum and also peg (secretory) cells
Smooth muscle layer contracts to create peristalsis in response to high levels of oestrogen
What are the four parts of the uterine tubes?
Fimbrae - finger like ciliated on surface of ovary
Infundibulum- funnel shaped opening where ovary attaches
Ampulla- widest section of uterine tubes - where fertilisation occurs
Isthmus- connects ampulla to the uterine cavity
Vascular supply and drainage of the tubes?
Anastomotic arterial supply - lateral 1/3 is ovarian artery, medial 2/3 is the uterine artery.
Drainage is via ovarian and uterine veins also.
Lymph- iliac, sacral and aortic lymph nodes
Where is the most common site for ectopic pregnancy and what are the possible complications?
Fimbrial and ampulla are most common sites.
Short term Rupture of the tube, haemorrhage, infection and more long term damage can result in adhesions and infertility
Where do the ovaries originate?
On the posterior abdominal wall, develop at mesonephric ridge and descend with gubernaculum until height of the uterine fundus
