Comparative Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System

Question 1

What type of organ is the ovary?

Answer 1

a solid ellipsoid organ

Question 2

structure of ovary?

Answer 2

*Follicles (each containing a single ovum)
*Projection of follicles can make it irregular-shaped

Question 3

More follicles =

Answer 3

more lumpy

Question 4

What kind of species would have an ovary with more follicles?

Answer 4

polytocous species

Question 5

Cross section of an ovary?

Answer 5

loose vascular zone/medulla in centre
Outer dense parenchymatous zone

Question 6

Horses ovary?

Answer 6

more kidney shaped
reversed structure (vascular zone outside, parenchymatous zone + follicles inside)

Question 7

How many stages of follicle development?

Answer 7

9

Question 8

What are the stages of follicle development?

Answer 8

Primordial follicle
Primary follicle
Secondary follicle
Tertiary (Graafian) follicle

Question 9

Only a small number of follicles _____ all the way?

Answer 9

mature
There is atresia and regression at every stage

Question 10

uterine tube AKA? (fallopian tube technically)

Answer 10

oviducts or salphinx

Question 11

function of uterine tube?

Answer 11

capture and transport ova to the uterus; usually site of fertilisation

Question 12

what are the uterine tubes lined by?

Answer 12

by ciliated epithelium

Question 13

where does the uterine tube expand?

Answer 13

expanded near the ovary into the infundibulum
(funnel shaped and fimbriae on free edge)

Question 14

Ampulla of uterine tube?

Answer 14

‘flask’ makes up middle portion

Question 14

Isthmus of uterine tube?

Answer 14

it is the narrower (sometime convoluted) portion

Question 15

the uterus develops from what?

Answer 15

DEVELOPS from paramesonephric ducts that fuse

Question 15

Junction with uterine horn can be?

Answer 15

gradual or abrupt

Question 16

what is the uterus comprised of?

Answer 16

horns, body and cervix

Question 17

how does the cervix limit access from vagina?

Answer 17

forms sphincter
thick mucosal fold interdigitate, can occlude cervical canal
Cervical mucosa secrete mucosa, forming a plug

Question 18

uterine tube does not mean?

Answer 18

uterine horn (this is a part of the uterus whereas the uterine tube carries stuff over)

Question 19

how many layers make up the uterine wall?

Answer 19

three

Question 20

Mucosal layer (endometrium) internal lining?

Answer 20

thickness varies with oestrus cycle
numerous tubular glands
ruminants have uterine caruncles (attachment site of embryonic membranes), attach to foetal cotyledons

Question 21

Muscle layer (myometrium)

Answer 21

external longitudinal muscle layer
internal circular muscle layer
smooth (involuntary) muscle
responsible for uterine contractions
coordinated activity: longitudinal contractions ‘shorten uterus’ while circular contractions push out contents

Question 22

serosal layer of uterus?

Answer 22

peritoneum
outer surface
continuous with broad ligament

Question 23

what do the vagina and vestibule from together?

Answer 23

the rest of the internal tract

Question 24

what is the vagina function? (cranially, from cervix to urethra)

Answer 24

purely reproductive passage mostly retroperitoneal

Question 25

function of vestibule? (caudal, from urethra to external vulva)

Answer 25

combined reproductive and urinary functions caudal to ischial arch, variable slope ventrally to vulva urethral opening ventrally

Question 26

urethral opening?

Answer 26

features nearby can complicate bladder catheterisation *E.g. suburethral diverticulum in pig and cow *E.g. flanked by two grooves in dog

Question 27

structure of vulva?

Answer 27

it is the external genital opening and tissues labia either side labia meet at dorsal and ventral commissures clitoris, the female homologue of the penis, lies within ventral commissure, contained within clitoral fossa

Question 28

broad ligament?

Answer 28

folds of connecting peritoneum, suspending tract from dorsal body wall

Question 29

what does the broad ligament enclose?

Answer 29

ovary (mesovarium) uterine tube (mesosalphinx) uterine horns and uterus (mesometrium) cervix

Question 30

what else does the broad ligament enclose?

Answer 30

blood vessels, nerves and some other ligaments

Question 31

location of suspensory ligament of the ovary?

Answer 31

last rib to ovary

Question 32

location of ovarian/proper ligament?

Answer 32

ovary to uterine horn

Question 33

location of round ligament of uterus?

Answer 33

uterus to inguinal canal

Question 34

intercornual ligament function?

Answer 34

connects uterine horns it is well developed in ruminants

Question 35

ovarian bursa?

Answer 35

folding mesovarium and mesosalphinx creates a 'pouch'

Question 36

what does the ovarian bursa communicate with?

Answer 36

peritoneal space

Question 37

species difference makes what about the ovarian bursa vary?

Answer 37

makes the opening width vary

Question 38

what can the ovarian bursa contain?

Answer 38

fat

Question 39

ovarian artery?

Answer 39

direct branch of aorta variably convoluted

Question 40

internal pudendal arteries?

Answer 40

supply external genitals branch off to form vaginal artery, uterine atery

Question 41

vaginal artery?

Answer 41

supplies vagina and rectum

Question 42

uterine atery?

Answer 42

branch of the vaginal artery anastomoses w/ ovarian and vaginal arteries

Question 43

alongside arteries?

Answer 43

veins