Female Anatomy

Question 1

The ovary is connected to the uterus via the ___.

Answer 1

Ovarian ligament

Question 2

What organs are located anteriorly and posteriorly to the uterus?

Answer 2

Anteriorly: bladder
Posteriorly: rectum

Question 3

What are the parts of the uterus?

Answer 3

Caudal to cranial: cervix, isthmus, body, fundus

Question 4

What are the functions of the uterus?

Answer 4

1. Implantation site of fertilized egg
2. Protection and growth of the fetus
3. Menstruation

Question 5

What is the cervical canal?

Answer 5

Canal that passes through the cervix, allowing its functions

Question 6

What are the functions of the cervix?

Answer 6

1. Passage of menstrual blood
2. Passage of sperm
3. Secretion of a clear alkaline fluid by endocervix (i.e. internal lining of cervical canal) to facilitate passage of sperm

Question 7

What is the most common position of the uterus? What risk is associated with other positions?

Answer 7

anteverted 90 degrees (i.e. anterior tilting = angle between cervix and vagina)
&
anteflexed 120 degrees (i.e. bending forward = angle between uterine body and cervix)
Risk: possible impaired conception

Question 8

What is the vesicouterine pouch, and what is its clinical significance?

Answer 8

Intraperitoneal recess between bladder and uterus.
Common site of pelvic endometriosis.

Question 9

What is the rectouterine pouch, and what is its clinical significance? Other names for it?

Answer 9

Rectouterine pouch = cul-de-sac of Douglas (= rectovesical pouch in males).
Peritoneal recess between rectum and uterus.
It is the lowest part of peritoneal cavity when upright.
Potential space of intraperitoneal fluid collection (i.e. malignancy, blood, etc.).

Question 10

What are the os of the uterus? Where are they?

Answer 10

upper boundary of cervix = internal os (at level of isthmus) = opening between cervix and corpus
external os = opening between cervix and vagina

Question 11

Parts of the cervix? Cell types? Name of the junction and clinical significance?

Answer 11

endocervix = upper 2/3 of cervix = proximal to external os = inner part of cervix creating cervical canal, made of simple columnar epithelium that secretes mucus

exocervix = ectocervix = lower 1/3 of cervix = distal to external os = region of the cervix that protrudes into vagina = stratified squamous epithelium

squamocolumnar junction = cervical transformation zone = most common site of cervical cancer
– junction is visible by colposcopy

Question 12

Arterial blood supply of the female reproductive organs?

Answer 12

Ovarian artery (branch of abdominal aorta) supplies upper portion of uterine body
Uterine artery (branch of internal iliac artery) supplies lower portion of uterus + cervix
Anastomoses between ovarian artery branches and uterine artery branches supply ovaries and fallopian tubes
Vaginal artery supplies vagina

Question 13

What is a risk related to the ligature of the uterine arteries?

Answer 13

Ureter injury, because ureter and uterine arteries cross (artery anterior to ureter)

Question 14

In which ligament are the uterine artery and vein contained?

Answer 14

cardinal ligament at inferior border of broad ligament

Question 15

In which ligament are the ovarian artery and vein contained?

Answer 15

infundibulopelvic ligament = suspensory ligament of the ovaries

Question 16

What is a risk related to the ligature of the ovarian arteries?

Answer 16

Ureter injury, because ureter is located right behind the infundibulopelvic ligament

Question 17

Layers of the uterus?

Answer 17

internal to external:
1. endometrium = mucosal layer
1.1 simple columnar epithelium with a functional layer that changes according to the menstrual cycle and tubular glands (long during proliferative phase VS coiled during secretory phase)
1.2 connective tissue
2. myometrium = smooth muscle and connective tissue, contains nerves, vessels, lymphatics
3. perimetrium = peritoneal serosa or adventitia, depending on location

Question 18

What is the most common site of fertilization by sperm?

Answer 18

ampulla of fallopian tubes

Question 19

What does 2n2c mean?

Answer 19

2n = diploid = how many sets of chromosomes

c = number of chromatids

Question 20

chromosome vs chromatid

Answer 20

chromatid = one of the two identical halves of a chromosome that has been replicated