Female Anatomy Flashcards
Where do the gonads, uterine tube, uterus and vagina arise from?
mesonephric ducts
Where do the vestibule, vulva and clitoris arise from?
urogenital sinus
What is the function of the ovary?
To produce follicles in which the oocytes can develop, these secrete oestradiol until ovulation.
What happens to the follicle after ovulation?
After ovulation the follicle enters the luteal phase and becomes a corpus luteum which is a transient endocrine gland which secretes progesterone.
How big is the equine ovary? How big can the CL get?
8-10cm
Up to 5cm but cannot be felt on palpation
Where does the vascularisation lie in the equine ovary?
Peripherally
How do the ligaments of the reproductive tract form?
The tract grows and pushes against the peritoneum and becomes surrounded until a portion of the peritoneum fuses to form the broad ligament.
What does the broad ligament support?
The broad ligament Supports and suspends ovaries, oviduct, uterus, cervix and anterior vagina and also Houses vascular supply, lymphatic drainage and nerves.
Where does the round ligament run?
The round ligament of the uterus runs caudal from the tip of the uterine horn to the inguinal canal. In the bitch it passes through the inguinal canal (This is homologous to the gubernaculum)
What are the three components of the broad ligament?
There are three comonents of the broad ligament:
Mesovarium - Houses blood and lymphatics supplying ovary
Mesosalpinx - Supports oviducts and serves as bursa like pouch surrounding ovary
Mesometrium - Supports uterine horns and body of uterus
In the bitch the mesosalpinx may form a complete sac (called bursa) around the ovary, or may be very small like it is in the mare.
What are the 4 concentric layers of the reproductive tract?
Serosa, muscularis, submucosa, mucosa
Name the three regions of the oviduct from ovary to uterus
Infundibulum
Captures oocyte
Covered with fimbriae – long finger like folds
Ampulla
large lumen and lots of secretory activity
fertilisation takes place here
Isthmus
Thicker muscular wall so the lumen Is smaller
Junction acts as a checkpoint, in the mare only fertilised eggs continue into the
What are the functions of the oviduct?
Sperm transport and storage ‘Catching’ the oocyte Oocyte transport Environment for fertilisation due to secretions Gamete transport
Where does the blood supply to the female tract come from?
Directly from aorta, supplies ovary and a branch termed ‘uterine branch’ supplies the tip of uterine horn and anastamoses within the uterine artery in the broad ligament
What is significant about the ovarian vein and artery?
IMPORTANTLY there is intertwining of the ovarian vein and the ovarian artery in some domestic species (especially the cow but not the mare). This enables PGF2a in the ovarian vein (from the uterus) to transfer to the ovarian artery.
Explain the utero-ovarian countercurrent system
PGF2a secreted from the endometrium
Passes into ovarian vein (also called utero-ovarian vein)
PGF2a diffuses from ovarian vein to ovarian artery(facilitated by intertwining of blood vessels)
High concentrations of PGF2a delivered to the ovary
In the mare PGF2a is not metabolised as fast so the mare does not have this system
What are the functions of the uterus?
Production of prostaglandin to control cyclical activity (except bitch)
Sperm transport / storage (also a function of secretion)
Environment for early embryo (also a function of secretion)
Contribution to the placenta
Parturition
In the uterus what are the serosa, muscularis and mucosa called?
Serosa = perimetrium
Muscularis = myometrium (circular and longitudinal)
Mucosa and submucosa = Endometrium
What are the three main types of uteri?
Duplex - 2 cervical canals, separate uterine horns
Bicornuate - 2 uterine horns, small uterine body
Simplex - Single uterine body
Uterine gland secretion increases under the influence of ……………….
progesterone
What is the blood supply to the uterus?
Arteries are branches of the internal iliac artery
Uterine artery which runs within the broad ligament and can be palpated against the shaft of the ilium (‘fremitus’ occurs during pregnancy)
Vaginal artery
What is the venous drainage of the uterus?
Veins mirror arteries but not in terms of function
Ovarian vein is larger than uterine vein and drains most of the uterus and ovary
The close apposition of ovarian vein to uterine artery allowing diffusion of prostaglandin (especially in the cow)
How is the cervix formed?
The cervix is formed by fusion of the caudal end of the paramesonephric ducts and the cranial end of the developing vagina.
Describe the epithelium of the cervix
Epithelium is columnar but some cells ciliated.
Many crypts & glands are present in many species.
