APE 9: Anatomy of the Genito-Urinary System Flashcards
What is the female genital tract originally?
Mesodermal
What fuses together to develop the female genital tract and what does it create?
The para-mesonephric ducts which creates a genital septum across the pelvic cavity
What are the 3 components of the upper female genital tract?
Ovaries, uterine tube and uterus
What are the 3 components of the lower female genital tract?
Vuvla, cervix and vagina
What is the size and shape of a pear?
The uterus
What is the function of the uterus?
Gestation
What are the two main divisions of the uterus?
Fundus and body
What are the 3 tissue layers of the uterus?
Endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium
Inner to outer
Which part of the tissue layers if muscular?
Myometrium
What dilates the cervix?
The contractions of the myometrium
Where is the internal and external os?
Internal os= between the uterus and cervix
External os= between the cervix and vagina
What is the internal and external os?
A way for the cervix to communicate with the uterus and vagina, respectively
What begins at the internal os?
The uterine cavity
Why would clinicians be very familiar with the external os?
Swabs for cervical cancer and contraception
What is the difference between version and flexion?
Version= uterus lies more horizontally than usual, external os projects in one direction and fundus in the opposite direction Flexion= bend takes place at a level corresponding with the internal os, cervix is in one plane and body of uterus is in another
What are the two pouches anterior and posterior to the uterus?
Anterior= uterocervical pouch Posterior= rectouterine pouch
Which ligaments support the uterus?
Broad, round, ovarian, cardinal and uterosacral ligaments
What is the broad ligament?
Double layer of peritoneum attaching sides of uterus to pelvis
Why may the ovaries be very small in a cadaver?
Dehydration and menopause
What are the 2 ligaments of the ovary?
Ovarian and suspensory
What is the ovarian ligament?
Ligament that extends from the medial part of the ovaries to the fundus of the uterus
What is the suspensory ligament?
Fold of peritoneum extending from the mesovarium to the pelvic wall
What is the mesovarium?
The portion of the broad ligament of the uterus that suspends the ovaries
What is the mesosalpinx?
The portion of the broad ligament that stretches from the ovary to the level of the uterine tube
What is the blood supply of the uterus?
The uterine artery
From which artery does the uterine artery arise?
The internal iliac artery
Surgically, which important structure is related to the uterine artery?
Ureter
What are the 4 parts of the uterine tube?
Isthmus, ampulla, infundibulum and fimbreae
Where does fertilisation occur?
Ampulla of uterine tubes
What is the life-threatening condition associated with the uterine tube?
Ectopic pregnancy
What is the blood supply of the uterine tube?
Lateral half= ovarian arteries
Medial half= uterine arteries
Developmentally, how do the ovaries arise?
Retro-peritoneally on the posterior abdominal wall and then descends
Where does the ovarian blood supply come from and at which vertebral level?
Abdominal aorta, at L1/2
Where do the ovarian arteries drain to?
Right= inferior vena cava Left= left renal vein
Where do the lymphatics drain to and what is the significance of this?
Para-aortic lymph nodes
What is the vagina?
A fibro-muscular tube capable of expansion for the passage of the foetus
What are the vaginal fornices?
The anterior (front) and posterior (back) recesses into which the upper vagina is divided
What is anterior to the vagina?
Bladder and urethra
What is posterior to the vagina?
Rectum and anus
What is lateral to the vagina?
Ureters and uterine arteries
What is the practical significance of the posterior fornix?
Posterior fornix palpation exam
What does the vagina traverse?
A muscular diaphragm (pelvic floor)
What is the pelvic floor composed of?
The levator ani muscles
When are the levator ani muscles commonly damaged?
During childbirth
What is the external genitalia called?
The vulva
What arteries supply the vulva?
Pudendal arteries
Which never supplies the vulva?
Superficial inguinal lymph nodes