Chapter 39 - Normal Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Pelvis

Question 1

the absence of menstruation

Answer 1

amenorrhea

Question 2

position of the uterus when the uterine fundus bends forward toward the cervix

Answer 2

anteflexed

Question 3

position of the uterus when the uterus is tipped slightly forward so that the cervix forms a 90-degree or smaller angle with the vaginal canal; most common uterine position

Answer 3

anteverted

Question 4

a broad fold of peritoneum draped over the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries; extends from the sides of the uterus to the sidewalls of the pelvis, dividing the pelvis from side to side and creating the vesicouterine pouch anterior to the uterus and the rectouterine pouch posteriorly; it is divided into the mesometrium, mesosalpinx, and mesovarium

Answer 4

broad ligament

Question 5

wide band of fibromuscular tissue arising from the lateral aspects of the cervix and inserting along the lateral pelvic floor; a continuation of the broad ligament that provides rigid support for the cervix; also called the transverse cervical ligaments

Answer 5

cardinal ligament

Question 6

one of two muscles in the pelvic diaphragm; located on the posterior pelvic floor, where it supports the coccyx

Answer 6

coccygeus muscles

Question 7

an anatomic structure on the surface of the ovary, consisting of a spheroid of yellowish tissue that grows within the ruptured ovarian follicle after ovulation; acts as a short-lived endocrine organ that secretes progesterone to maintain the decidual layer of the endometrium should conception occur

Answer 7

corpus luteum

Question 8

pain associated with menstruation

Answer 8

dysmenorrhea

Question 9

a steroidal hormone secreted by the theca interna and granulosa cells of the ovarian follicle that stimulates the development of female reproductive structures and secondary sexual characteristics; promotes the growth of endometrial tissue during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle

Answer 9

estrogen

Question 10

portion of the pelvis found above the brim; that portion of the abdominal cavity cradled by the iliac fossae; also called the greater or major pelvis

Answer 10

false pelvis

Question 11

a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the growth and maturation of graafian follicles in the ovary

Answer 11

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Question 12

a hormonal substance that stimulates the function of the testes and the ovaries; in the female, FSH and LH are gonadotropins

Answer 12

gonadotropin

Question 13

a hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) by the anterior pituitary gland

Answer 13

gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Question 14

paired triangular, flat muscles that cover the inner curved surface of the iliac fossae; they arise from the iliac fossae and join the psoas major muscles to form the lateral walls of the pelvis

Answer 14

iliacus muscles

Question 15

a bony ridge on the inner surface of the ilium and pubic bones that divides the true and false pelvis; also called the pelvic brim or linea terminalis

Answer 15

iliopectineal line

Question 16

one of two muscles of the pelvic diaphragm that stretch across the floor of the pelvic cavity like a hammock, supporting the pelvic organs and surrounding the urethra, vagina, and rectum; a broad, thin muscle that consists of the pubococcygeus, iliococcygeus, and puborectalis

Answer 16

levator ani

Question 17

a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates ovulation and then induces luteinization of the ruptured follicle to form the corpus luteum

Answer 17

luteinizing hormone (LH)

Question 18

the onset of menstruation and the commencement of cyclic menstrual function; usually occurs between 11 and 13 years of age

Answer 18

menarche

Question 19

the cessation of menstruation

Answer 19

menopause

Question 20

abnormally heavy or long periods

Answer 20

menorrhagia

Question 21

the periodic flow of blood and cellular debris that occurs during menstruation

Answer 21

menses

Question 22

mesosalpinx

Answer 22

the upper portion of the broad ligament that encloses the fallopian tubes

Question 23

the upper portion of the broad ligament that encloses the fallopian tubes

Answer 23

mesosalpinx

Question 24

the posterior portion of the broad ligament that is drawn out to enclose and hold the ovary in place

Answer 24

mesovarium

Question 25

a triangular sheet of muscle that arises from the anterolateral pelvic wall and surrounds the obturator foramen, passes through the lesser sciatic foramen and inserts into the medial aspect of the greater trochanter of the femur, and serves to rotate and abduct the thigh

Answer 25

obturator internus muscle

Question 26

abnormally light menstrual periods

Answer 26

oligomenorrhea

Question 27

an incompletely developed or immature ovum

Answer 27

oocyte

Question 28

a paired ligament that extends from the inferior/medial pole of the ovary to the uterine cornua; also called the utero-ovarian ligament

Answer 28

ovarian ligament

Question 29

the female egg; a secondary oocyte released from the ovary at ovulation

Answer 29

ovum

Question 30

a serous membrane enveloping the uterus; also called the serosa

Answer 30

perimetrium

Question 31

a flat, pyramidal muscle arising from the anterior sacrum, passing through the greater sciatic notch to insert into the superior aspect of the greater trochanter of the femur; serves to rotate and abduct the thigh

Answer 31

piriformis muscle

Question 32

an abnormally frequent recurrence of the menstrual cycle; a menstrual cycle of less than 21 days

Answer 32

polymenorrhea

Question 33

time period in young girls before the onset of menstruation

Answer 33

premenarche

Question 34

a steroidal hormone produced by the corpus luteum that helps prepare and maintain the endometrium for the arrival and implantation of an embryo

Answer 34

progesterone

Question 35

paired muscles that originate at the transverse process of the lumbar vertebrae and extend inferiorly through the false pelvis on the pelvic sidewall, where they unite with the iliacus muscle to form the iliopsoas muscle before inserting into the lesser trochanter of the femur; serves to flex the thigh toward the pelvis

Answer 35

psoas major muscle

Question 36

area in the pelvic cavity between the rectum and the uterus that is likely to accumulate free fluid; also known as the posterior cul-de-sac and the pouch of Douglas

Answer 36

rectouterine recess (pouch)

Question 37

position of the uterus when the uterine fundus bends posteriorly upon the cervix

Answer 37

retroflexed

Question 38

position of the uterus when the entire uterus is tipped posteriorly so that the angle formed between the cervix and the vaginal canal is greater than 90 degrees

Answer 38

retroverted

Question 39

paired ligaments that originate at the uterine cornua, anterior to the fallopian tubes, and course anterolaterally within the broad ligament to insert into the fascia of the labia majora; hold the uterus forward in its anteverted position

Answer 39

round ligaments

Question 40

located between the anterior bladder wall and the pubic symphysis; contains extraperitoneal fat

Answer 40

space of Retzius

Question 41

parallel longitudinal lines commonly seen in muscle tissue when imaged sonographically; appear as hyperechoic parallel lines running in the long axis of the hypoechoic muscle tissue

Answer 41

striations

Question 42

paired ligaments that extend from the infundibulum of the fallopian tube and the lateral aspect of the ovary to the lateral pelvic wall; also called the infundibulopelvic ligament

Answer 42

suspensory (infundibulopelvic) ligament

Question 43

pelvic cavity found below the brim of the pelvis; also called the minor or lesser pelvis

Answer 43

true pelvis

Question 44

posterior portion of the cardinal ligament that extends from the cervix to the sacrum

Answer 44

uterosacral ligaments

Question 45

area in the pelvic cavity between the urinary bladder and the uterus; also known as the anterior cul-de-sac

Answer 45

vesicouterine recess (pouch)