Anatomy of male and female pelvic organs Flashcards
Which fossa are the ovaries contained within?
1 - ovarian fossa
2 - pelvic fossa
3 - peritoneal fossa
4 - popliteal fossa
- ovarian fossa
Which cavity can the ovaries be located?
- pelvic cavity
Are the ovaries located on the medial or lateral walls of the pelvic cavity?
- laternal walls
What are the 2 main functions of the ovaries?
1 - oocyte development and folliculogenesis
2 - oocyte development and FSH secretions
3 - folliculogenesis and FSH secretions
4 - FSH and LH
FSH = follicular stimulating hormone LH = leutenising hormone
1 - oocyte development and folliculogenesis
2 - folliculogenesis (female germ cell develops within the somatic cells of the ovary into a fertilizable egg
What is the key artery that supplies all the key pelvic viscera (essentially all organs within the pelvic cavity)?
1 - external iliac artery
2 - internal iliac artery
3 - common iliac artery
4 - femoral artery
2 - internal iliac artery
What is the the name of the foreman that lies between the 2 rami of the hip bones, either side of where the pubic symphysis joint is located?
1 - major sciatic foreman
2 - minor sciatic foreman
3 - obturator foreman
4 - pisiform foreman
3 - obturator foramen
The space that lies between the 2 rami of the hip bones, either side of where the pubic symphysis joint is located is called the obturator foramen (see image). The obturator foreman is covered by something which has only one opening. What covers the obturator foramen and what is the one opening of this?
1 - sciatic membrane
2 - obturator membrane
3 - pisiform membrane
4 - obturator externus membrane
2 - obturator membrane
- obturator internus muscle is also located here
- obturator canal (allows blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics to pass to lower limbs)
Label the 3 key arteries that are in close proximation to the ovaries, that if surgery to or near to the ovaries is taking place we need to know about using the labels below:
- internal iliac artery
- obturator artery
- external iliac artery
1 - internal iliac artery
2 - external iliac artery
3 - obturator artery
Label the 4 key parts of the fallopian tubes using the labels below:
isthmus (which means bridge)
infundibulum
ampulla
fimbriae
1 = isthmus (which means bridge) 2 = ampulla 3 = infundibulum 4 = fimbriae
What is the fimbriae of the fallopian tubes?
- cilia like projections
- help move the oocyte from the ovaries into the fallopian tubes
Are the fimbria in direct contact with the ovaries?
- no
- one fimbria is long enough to reach the ovary
- during ovulation this fimbria swells with blood and sweeps the oocyte into the fallopian tubes
The fimbria are not direct contact with the ovaries. Instead there is one fimbria that is long enough to reach the ovary. During ovulation this fimbria swells with blood and sweeps the oocyte into the fallopian tubes. What is the fimbriae called?
- fimbria ovarica
What is the name of the location where the fallopian tubes meet the uterus?
1 - fundus
2 - fimbrae
3 - cornua
4 - isthmus
3 - cornua
The cornua is the location where the fallopian tubes meet the uterus. Why is this site important?
- can be location of ectopic pregnancies (oocyte is located outside the uterus)
- cornua is generally not strong enough to support the birth
What are the 3 key functions of the fallopian tubes?
1 - transit of ovum
2 - fertilisation of the ovum with sperm into zygote
3 - transit of fertilised zygote
What is the term used to describe a female egg released from the ovaries?
1 - ovum
2 - oocyte
3 - egg
4 - ovulate
1 - ovum
- latin word for egg
What are the terms used to describe a cell containing half the chromosomes and a full set of chromosomes, such as an ovum released from the ovaries?
- gametes = 1 copy of chromosome (oocyte and sperm are this)
- zygote = 2 copies of chromosomes (1 from each parent)
What is the uterus?
- hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum
The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum. Label the 4 key parts of the uterus using the labels below:
fundus (furtherest from the opening)
cavity
body
cervix
1 = fundus (furtherest from the opening) 2 = cavity 3 = body 4 = cervix
Where is the uterus located?
- midline of the pelvis
- between the bladder and rectum
What are the 2 key functions of the uterus?
1 - implantation of the zygote
2 - development and nutrition of embryo/foetus
The walls of the uterus have 3 main layers when we look at their microstructure. Using the labels below, label the 3 layers:
endometrium
perimetrium
myometrium
1 = endometrium (endo is latin for inside) 2 = myometrium (meso is muscle) 3 = perimetrium (peri is latin on top)
The walls of the uterus have 3 main layers when we look at their microstructure, the endometrium, perimetrium and myometrium. What is the endometrium?
- functional layer of the uterus
- mucosal layer, that undergoes monthly cyclic changes
The walls of the uterus have 3 main layers when we look at their microstructure, the endometrium, perimetrium and myometrium. What is the myometrium?
- smooth muscle that contracts during childbirth to help push the baby out
The walls of the uterus have 3 main layers when we look at their microstructure, the endometrium, perimetrium and myometrium. What is the perimetrium?
- a continuous layer that continues from the lining of the peritoneal cavity, as it derives from the perineum
- supportive connective tissue
The endometrium has 3 layers which we can see on histology. Using the labels below, label these 3 layers:
stratum basalis
stratum spongiosum
stratum compactum
1 = stratum compactum 2 = stratum spongiosum 3 = stratum basalis
The endometrium has 3 layers:
stratum compactum
stratum spongiosum
stratum basalis
Of these layers, which 2 layers, which are part of the stratum functionalis are shedded during the menstrul cycle?
- stratum compactum and stratum spongiosum
The cervix is a cylinder-shaped neck of tissue that connects the vagina and uterus. It has 4 major parts, label them using the labels below:
Isthmus (bridge between endocervix and endometrium) Anatomical Internal os External os (ectocervix) Histological Internal os Cervical canal (endocervix) Cervix
1 = Anatomical Internal os 2 = Isthmus (bridge between endocervix and endometrium) 3 = External os (ectocervix) 4 = Uterine canal (endocervix) 5 = Cervix 6 = Histological Internal os
In relation to the uterus, where is the cervix located?
- below inferior body of the uterus
What do the internal and external os join together?
- internal os = cervix and uterus
- external os = cervix and vagina
What is the difference between the anatomical internal os and the histological internal os?
- anatomical internal os = physical opening of uterus cavity into uterus canal
- histological internal os = transition point where cell type changes from columnar to squamous
The histological internal os is the transition point where cell type changes from that of the uterine canal to that of the vagina. What are the difference cell types in the uterus and vagina that change at the histological internal os, named after this is where the tissue changes histoligcally?
- uterine canal = simple columnar epithelium
- vagina = non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
The histological internal os is the transition point where cell type changes from that of the uterine canal to that of the vagina. There are difference cell types in the uterus and vagina that change at the histological internal os, named after this is where the tissue changes histoligcally which are:
- uterine canal = simple columnar epithelium
- vagina = non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
What is the point at which the cells change called?
1 - columnarkeritanised junction
2 - internal cell junction
3 - external cell junction
4 - squamocolumnar junction
4 - squamocolumnar junction
- within the transformation zone
The histological internal os is the transition point where cell type changes from that of the uterine canal to that of the vagina. There are difference cell types in the uterus and vagina that change at the histological internal os, named after this is where the tissue changes histoligcally which are:
- uterine canal = simple columnar epithelium
- vagina = non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
The point at which the cells change is called the squamocolumnar junction. What is the importance of this junction?
- age and hormones can affect the squamocolumnar junction
- abnormalities are thought to arise here due to proliferative capacity, similar to cancer
What are the 2 key functions of the cervix?
1 - opening for spermatozoa between vagina and uterus
2 - support pressure changes during pregnancy
What is a mucus plug?
- collection of mucus that forms in the cervical canal in early pregnancy
- prevents bacteria or infection from entering your uterus and reaching the baby
- lost as body prepares for childbirth
What does anteverted mean?
- ant = anteriorly
- verted = tilder
- so here something would be rotated anteriorly/forwards
What does anteflexed mean?
- ant = anteriorly
- flexed = tilted
- so here something would be tilted anteriorly/forwards
What does anteverted and anteflexed mean in relation to the uterus?
- angles located on different parts of the uterus and cervix
- angle of version (anteverted) = one longitudinal line through cervix and one through the vagina
- angle of flexion (anteflexed) = one longitudinal line through the body of the uterus and one through the cervix
The anteverted and ante-flexed v and othe
relate to the following:
- angles located on different parts of the uterus and cervix
- angle of version (anteverted) = one longitudinal line through cervix and one through the vagina
- angle of flexion (anteflexed) = one longitudinal line through the body of the uterus and one through the cervix
What is the clinical importance of the anteverted and anteflexed angles in the uterus and cervix?
- abnormal arrangements may cause no problems
- a retroverted uterus (directly above the vagina) may increase risk of prolapse of uterus into the vagina when abdominal pressure increases
The vagina has 3 key parts, using the labels below label these parts:
anterior fornices
vaginal canal
introitus (means opening)
posterior fornices
1 = posterior fornices 2 = anterior fornices 3 = vaginal canal 4 = introitus (means opening)
What important anatomical landmark in the pelvis does the vagina pass through that provides support to the organs above it?
- the pelvic floor muscles
What is the role of the fornices which is the area around the cervix?
1 - reduce sperm and infections entering the cervis
2 - provide stability to stervis
3 - attachment site between vagina and cervix
4 - collects sperm and propel through cervix
4 - collects sperm and propel through cervix
- acts as a gutter to collect sperm and propel into uterus
The female reproductive organ has an extensive blood supply. Label the system using the labels below:
uterine artery ovarian artery aorta internal iliac artery vaginal artery common iliac artery external iliac artery
1 = aorta 2 = common iliac artery 3 = external iliac artery 4 = internal iliac artery 5 = ovarian artery 6 = uterine artery 7 = vaginal artery
How many branches does the internal iliac artery have?
- 2
- posterior and anterior
What is the pudendal canal, also called Alcock’s canal?
1 - area where pudendal nerve passes in pelvis
2 - space in obturator membrane where neurovasculature can pass
3 - space next to sciatic foreman where neurovasculature can pass
4 - another name for inguinal canal
2 - space in obturator membrane where neurovasculature can pass
- internal pudendal artery, internal pudendal veins, and the pudendal nerve pass
The pudendal canal, also called Alcock’s canal is an anatomical structure in the pelvis allow nerves and veins to pass through. The internal pudendal artery, internal pudendal veins, and the pudendal nerve pass through this canal. What are the nerve roots for the pudendal nerve?
1 - L4-S3
2 - L5-S2
3 - S1-S4
4 - S2-S4
4 - S2-S4
The pudendal canal, also called Alcock’s canal is an anatomical structure in the pelvis allow nerves and veins to pass through. The internal pudendal artery, internal pudendal veins, and the pudendal nerve pass through this canal. Where does the pudendal nerve run in relation to the pudendal canal?
- descends between the piriformis and ischiococcygeus muscles
- leaves the pelvis through greater sciatic foramen and re-enters via the lesser sciatic foramen
- runs through the pudendal canal (also known as Alcock’s canal_
A 28 year old female presents to the GP complaining of agonising unilateral abdominal pain. Her history reveals abdominal cramping for 2 days and stabbing pain for 8 hours with nausea and vomiting. Below are likely differentials, but which is most likely?
1 - ruptured fallopian tube
2 - appendixes
3 - acute abdomen
4 - ovarian torsion
4 - ovarian torsion
- medical emergency
What can be identified on the cadaver section, that is highlighted by the blue box?
1 - fallopian tubes
2 - ovaries
3 - uterus
4 - vagina
2 - right and left ovaries
What can be identified on the cadaver section, that is highlighted by the blue box?
1 - fallopian tubes
2 - ovaries
3 - uterus
4 - vagina
3 - uterus
What are the testes?
- two oval-shaped organs in the male reproductive system
What are the testes contained within?
- scrotum
- external male genitaila
What is the epididymis?
- a long, coiled tube that stores sperm and transports it from the testes
- located posteriorly on each testes
The epididymis is a a long, coiled tube that stores sperm and transports it from the testes, located posteriorly on each testes. It has 4 key parts, using the labels below label the epididymis?
Coiled tube 6m long
Head
Body
Tail
1 = head of epididymis 2 = coiled tube 6m long whole of epididymis 3 = body of epididymis 4 = tail of epididymis
What is the ductus deferens?
- a fibromuscular tube that is continuation of the epididymis
- excretory duct of the testis
The ductus deferens is a fibromuscular tube that is continuation of the epididymis, and is the excretory duct of the testis. Once the spermatozoa leave the testes and travel up the ductus deferens, which cord does the ductus deferens travel through?
1 - obturator foreman
2 - popliteal fossa
3 - spermatic cord
4 - alcocks canal
3 - spermatic cord
- connects the testes to the abdominal cavity
The ductus deferens is a fibromuscular tube that is continuation of the epididymis, and is the excretory duct of the testis. Once the spermatozoa leave the testes and travel up the ductus deferens, it travels through inside the spermatic cord. Which canal does the spermatic cord travel within?
1 - obturator foreman
2 - inguinal canal
3 - spermatic cord
4 - alcocks canal
2 - inguinal canal
The ductus deferens is a fibromuscular tube that is continuation of the epididymis, and is the excretory duct of the testis. Once the spermatozoa leave the testes and travel up the ductus deferens, it travels through inside the spermatic cord along the inguinal canal. What 2 openings does this spermatic cord then pass through in the inguinal canal?
1 - obturator foreman and deep inguinal ring
2 - deep inguinal ring and alcocks canal
3 - superficial inguinal ring and alcocks canal
4 - superficial and deep inguinal ring
4 - superficial and deep inguinal ring
The inguinal canal begins halfway down a ligament that starts at the anterior superior iliac spine of the ilium to the pubic tubercle on the pubic bone. What is this ligament called?
1 - coopers ligament
2 - obturator ligament
3 - sciatic ligament
4 - inguinal ligament
4 - inguinal ligament
The ductus deferens is a fibromuscular tube that is continuation of the epididymis, and is the excretory duct of the testis. Once the spermatozoa leave the testes and travel up the ductus deferens, it travels inside the spermatic cord along the inguinal canal, passing through the superficial and deep inguinal ring. What artery does it pass over before re-entering the pelvic cavity?
1 - common iliac artery
2 - pudendal artery
3 - external iliac artery
4 - internal iliac artery
3 - external iliac artery
- crosses the ureter and arrives at the fundus of the bladder (remember bridge over troubled water)
The ductus deferens is a fibromuscular tube that is continuation of the epididymis, and is the excretory duct of the testis. Once the spermatozoa leave the testes and travel up the ductus deferens, it travels inside the spermatic cord along the inguinal canal, passing through the superficial and deep inguinal ring. It passes over the external iliac artery before it crosses over what muscular tube before arriving at the fundus of the bladder?
1 - inguinal ligament
2 - fallopian tube
3 - ureter
4 - erectile duct
3 - ureter
- remember bridge over troubled water
The ductus deferens is a fibromuscular tube that is continuation of the epididymis, and is the excretory duct of the testis. Once the spermatozoa leave the testes and travel up the ductus deferens, it travels through inside the spermatic cord along the inguinal canal, passing through the superficial and deep inguinal ring. The ductus deferens then crosses the iliac artery and back into the pelvic cavity, where it crosses the ureter and arrived at the fundus of the bladder (remember bridge over troubled water). What happens to the ductus deferens at the fundus of the bladder?
1 - becomes ampulla of ductus deferens
2 - merges with bladder and feeds into the urethra
3 - merges with the prostate
1 - becomes the ampulla of ductus deferens
- storage area for sperm
The ductus deferens has a very long course before it reaches the ejaculatory ducts. What is the main function of the ductus deferens?
- transport spermatozoa to the ejaculatory ducts
- facilitated through peristaltic contractions
The seminal vesicles are a pair of accessory exocrine glands found in the male pelvis after the ductus deferens and ampulla of ductus deferens meet. What is the main function of these glands?
1 - storage site for sperm
2 - produce 85% of semen fluid
3 - maturation site for sperm
4 - produce testosterone
2 - produce 85% of semen fluid
The seminal vesicles are a pair of accessory exocrine glands found in the male pelvis after the ductus deferens and ampulla of ductus deferens meet. The purpose of the seminal vesicles is to produce many of the constituent ingredients of semen, ultimately providing around 85% of the total volume of semen. Where can the seminal vesicles be located?
1 - posterior surface of the bladder
2 - anterior surface of the bladder
3 - base of penis
4 - above epididymis
1 - posterior surface of the bladder
The seminal vesicles are a pair of accessory exocrine glands found in the male pelvis after the ductus deferens and ampulla of ductus deferens meet. The purpose of the seminal vesicles is to produce many of the constituent ingredients of semen, ultimately providing around 85% of the total volume of semen and are located posterior to the bladder. What the 3 main constituents of the seminal vesicles secretions?
- vitamin c
- fructose
- prostaglandins
- fibrinogen (coagulate semen)
- semenogelins (proteins that help coagulate seminal fluid, prevent capacitation)
The prostate is classed as a gland, what type of gland is this classed as?
- accessory endocrine gland
The prostate is an accessory endocrine gland. Where can it be located?
- along ureter between the internal (involuntary) and external (voluntary) urethral sphincters
The prostate is an accessory endocrine gland that can be located along ureter between the internal (involuntary) and external (voluntary) urethral sphincters. What is the primary function of the prostate?
- secretion of prostatic fluid
- prostrate specific antigen
- fibrinolysin, zinc, proteolytic enzymes
- prostatic acid phosphatase
The seminal vesicles are a pair of accessory exocrine glands found in the male pelvis after the ductus deferens and ampulla of ductus deferens meet. The purpose of the seminal vesicles is to produce many of the constituent ingredients of semen, ultimately providing around 85% of the total volume of semen and are located posterior to the bladder. Where does the seminal vesicles fluid travel once it has been produced and semen is present in the ampulla of the vas deferens?
1 - into bladder
2 - down ejaculatory duct and into urethra
3 - into ampulla of vas deferens
4 - into prostate for processing
2 - down ejaculatory duct and into urethra
Label the functional parts of the prostate using the labels below:
central zone (surrounds the seminal vesicles) peripheral zone (surrounds the central zone)
1 - peripheral zone (surrounds the central zone)
2 - central zone (surrounds the seminal vesicles)
What is the part of the prostate that surrounds the urethra?
1 - central zone (surrounds the seminal vesicles)
2 - peripheral zone (surrounds the central zone)
3 - transitional/junctional zone
4 - ejaculatory zone
3 - transitional/junctional zone
The transitional/junctional zone is the part of the prostate that surrounds the urethra. What is the clinical important of this zone of the prostate?
1 - likely site for adenoma
2 - common site for tumour
3 - common site for benign prostate hyperplasia
4 - common site for blockage of urine
3 - common site for benign prostate hyperplasia
What is the most common site of prostate carcinoma in the prostate?
1 - central zone (surrounds the seminal vesicles)
2 - peripheral zone (surrounds the central zone)
3 - transitional/junctional zone
4 - ejaculatory zone
2 - peripheral zone (surrounds the central zone)
- highly active (main glandular part of the prostate)
Zinc is secreted by the prostate into the sperm. What are the 2 important functions of zinc?
1 - sperm maturation and viability
2 - sperm energy and motility
3 - sperm maturation and energy
4 - sperm viability and motility
1 - sperm maturation and viability
- low zinc can be cause of infertility
A homologue in terms of reproductive organs is something that has the same relation, relative position, or structure. The prostate gland in the male is an accessory exocrine gland. What is this homologue of the prostate in females?
- the Skene’s glands located on either side of the urethra
- may be linked with secretion of fluid that helps with urination and cleanliness
There is a pair of glands around the same size as a pea that sit near the base of the penis. What are these glands called?
1 - bulbourethral or Cowper’s glands
2 - seminal vesicles
3 - corpus collosum
4 - pudendal glands
1 - bulbourethral or Cowper’s glands
There is a pair of glands around the same size as a pea that sit near the base of the penis called the bulbourethral or Cowper’s glands. What is the function of these glands?
1 - semenal fluid production
2 - testosterone production
3 - immune cells
4 - pre-ejaculate fluid called Cowper’s fluid (lubrication essentially)
4 - pre-ejaculate fluid called Cowper’s fluid (lubrication essentially)
What is the deep perineal pouch?
- a potential space between the deep fascia of the pelvic floor (superiorly) and the perineal membrane (inferiorly)
- contains part of the urethra, external urethral sphincter, and the vagina in the female. In males, it also contains the bulbourethral glands and the deep transverse perineal muscles
What are the 2 key functions of bulbourethral or Cowper’s glands?
- lubrication (glycoproteins)
- neutralisation (Alkaline fluid as urine the vagina is acidic)
Label the 3 key parts of the penis using the labels below:
Body (shaft)
Glans
Root (radix-triradiate)
1 = Root (radix-triradiate) 2 = Body (shaft) 3 = Glans
What are the 2 anatomical landmarks to be aware of in identifying the location of the penis?
1 = external genitalia 2 = urogenital triangle
Label the 3 key components of the penis using the labels below:
corpus spongiosum
corpus cavernosum
urethra
1 = corpus cavernosum 2 = urethra 3 = corpus spongiosum
Label the blood supply to the male reproductive organs using the labels below:
internal iliac artery posterior scrotal artery anterior scrotal artery common iliac artery external iliac artery external pudendal artery internal pudendal artery dorsal artery deep artery
1 = common iliac artery 2 = external iliac artery 3 = internal iliac artery 4 = internal pudendal artery 5 = external pudendal artery 6 = dorsal artery 7 = deep artery 8 = posterior scrotal artery 9 = anterior scrotal artery
A 4yr old male presents to the GP with his mother. She is concerned because she has noticed a swelling in his scrotum. When examined by the GP the swelling is not painful and disappears when the child is supine.
The swelling appeared translucent when a light source placed behind it. What is the most likely diagnosis?
1 - hydroceal
2 - hematoceal
3 - spermatic cord torsion
4 - epididmytis
1 - hydrocele
- swelling in the scrotum that occurs when fluid collects in the thin sheath surrounding a testicle
- comes from abdominal cavity
What are the 2 items labelled 1 and 2 in the cadaver section?
1 - epididymis
2 - testes
What is labelled in the cadaver section below?
- ductus deferens
- runs from tests to prostate
