Anatomy of the Female Reproductive Tract Flashcards
where does excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity collect
pouch of douglas
what procedure can be performed to drain the pouch of douglas
culdocentesis - needle passed through pos fornix of vagina
what is the broad ligament formed from
double layer of peritoneum
what does the broad ligament attach to
the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovary
what is the function of the broad ligament
to maintain the uterus in the correct midline position
name the 3 parts of the broad ligament adn what they enclose
- mesometrium - largest section, surrounds uterus
- mesovarium - attaches to hilum of ovary, doesnt cover ovary surface
- mesosalpinx - encloses the fallopian tubes
what structure are the round, ovarian and suspensory ligament all enclosed in
broad ligament
what does the ovarian ligamenet run between
ovary and side of uterus - joint the uterus just below th eorigin of the fallopian tubes
what is the ovarian ligament formed from structurally
fibrous band of tissue that lies wtihin the broad ligament
what does the suspensory ligament of the ovary connect
ovary to lateral abdominal wall
what does the suspensory ligament of the ovary contain
ovarian vessels and nerves
whichb embryological structure is the round ligament a remnant of
gubernaculum
outline the passage of the round ligament
originates at uterine horns
passes through inguinal canal
attaches to labia majora
where is the fundus of the uterus
where does implantation of the zygote normally occur in the uterus
body
what structures hold hte uterus in position
ligaments - eg uterosacral ligaments
endopelvic fascia
muscles of pelvic floor
what can cause uterine prolapse
weakness of the supporting structures of the uterus - eg damage to pelvic floor
which angles do anteversion and anteflexion relate to in the position of the uterus
anteverted - the cervix is tipped anteriorly relative to the axis of the vagina
anteflexed - the uterus is tipped anteriorly relative to the axis of the cervix
name abnormal positions of the uterus
retroverted or retroflexed
what does abnormal positioning of the uterus predispose one to
uterine prolapse when there is inc intraabdominal pressure
what epithelium is present in teh cervix
columnar epithelium
are there glands in the vagina and cervix?
there are glands in the cervix - these secrete either a watery or thick secretion depending on menstrual time. secretion flows down and lubricates vagina (no glands here)
what are the 4 histological layers of the vagina
non keratinized stratified squamous
lamina propria
fibromuscular layer
adventitia
which layer of the vagina secretes glycogen, and what is the reason for this
the stratified squamous epithelium
it is metabolized by commensal bacteria (Lactobacillus spp) to form lactic acid - this maintain the low vaginal pH and inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria
do the fimbriae touch the ovary
only one does - the great fimbriae
the egg is released into the peritoneal cavity and then gathered up by the fimbriae
what is found in the medulla and cortex of the ovaries
neurovascular structures in the medulla and developing follicles in the cortex