Anatomy of the Female Reproductive Organs

Question 1

what lies directly behind the pubic symphysis in females?

Answer 1

The urinary bladder

Question 2

What are the vaginal recesses on either side of the protruding cervix called?

Answer 2

Anterior fornix
&
Posterior fornix

Question 3

Through what does the round ligament of the uterus travel? Where does it attach?

Answer 3

The inguinal canal

Attaches at the mons pubis (fatty tissue overlying the joint of the pubic bones) after originating at uterus

Question 4

What is the rectouterine pouch?

Answer 4

An extension of peritoneum between the posterior wall of uterus and the rectum in females

• Also called pouch of Douglas

Can be drained through the posterior fornix in case of infection

Question 5

What is the uterovesical pouch?

Answer 5

An extension of peritoneum between the posterior wall of the bladder and the uterus in females

Question 6

Where does the coccygeus originate and insert?

Answer 6

Originates at the ischium and inserts on the coccyx

Question 7

What are the 3 coccygeus muscles of the pelvic floor?

Answer 7

Ischiococcygeus (coccygeus)

Iliococcygeus

Pubococcygeus

Question 8

What muscles make up the levator ani?

Answer 8

Iliococcygeus

Pubococcygeus

Puborectalis

Question 9

What are the ligament remnants of the gubernaculum?

Answer 9

Round ligament of the uterus

Ligament of the ovary

Question 10

What is the suspensory ligament formed by?

Answer 10

The sheath covering the neurovasculature and lymphatics that enter the ovary

Question 11

Where is the broad ligament?

Answer 11

Inferior to the fallopian tube and ovary and attached to the lateral aspect of the uterus

Attaches these structures to the lateral pelvic wall

Question 12

Where does the main support of the pelvic organs come from?

Answer 12

The pelvic diaphragm

Levator ani + coccygeus

Question 13

Aside from the round ligament and the pelvic diaphragm, what are two of the main supports of the uterus?

Answer 13

Lateral cervical ligament - originates at the cervix and attaches to lateral pelvic wall

Uterosacral ligament - originates on the posterior of the uterus and attaches to sacrum

Question 14

What are the two main arteries supplying the uterus? What arteries do these branch off of?

Answer 14

Uterine artery - branch of internal iliac artery

Ovarian artery - branch of abdominal aorta

Question 15

What are the four parts of the uterine (Fallopian) tube? From lateral to medial

Answer 15

Infundibulum

Ampulla (where fertilisation occurs)

Isthmus

Uterine or intramural part

Question 16

What is the lumen of a uterine tube lined by?

Answer 16

Ciliated columnar epiuthelium

Cilia assist with ovum transport to the uterus

Question 17

What are the functions of the placenta?

Answer 17

Metabolism - synthesis of glycogen

Transport & exchange of gasses and nutrients

Endocrine secretion (HCG)

Question 18

What are the two surfaces of the placenta?

Answer 18

• Maternal (very rough in appearance)

- Fetal (smooth & shiny appearance)

Question 19

What is seen on cross section of the umbilical cord?

Answer 19

2 umbilical arteries

Umbilical vein

Wharton’s Jelly

Question 20

How is the perineum usually defined?

Answer 20

With legs abducted, a diamond shape with the anus at the bottom. pubic symphysis at the top and an imaginary line from ischial tuberosity to ischial tuberosity

Question 21

What are the 2 triangles of the perineum?

Answer 21

Urogenital triangle

Anal triangle

Question 22

Where is the perineal body?

Answer 22

Between the urogenital triangle and the anal triangle

Question 23

If a tear in the perineal body occurs during childbirth what can be a common side effect?

Answer 23

Urinary incontinence