Female anatomy Flashcards
Name 3 ligaments that hold the uterus in place
Suspensory ligament
Broad ligament
Round ligament
In a cadaver, where are the ovaries in relation to the uterus
Tucked behind- often can’t be seen in a anterior view
Which ligament is a continuation of the peritoneum
Broad ligament
What are fibroids
Muscular growths of the myometrium
What part of the uterus is shed as part of the menstrual cycle
Endometrium
Where does a high vagina swab take a swab from
Anterior and posterior fornix
What is the ‘normal’ positioning of the uterus
Anteverted, anterflexed
Name the 2 pouches found on either side of the uterus. What can accumulate here
Vesicouterine pouch
Pouch of Douglas
How can the uterus positioning be different?
- Retroverted and retroflexed
- Just retroverted
Which part of the female anatomy ‘catches’ released eggs
Fimbrae of fallopian tubes
How big are the ovaries
Size of almonds``
What is meant by ectopic pregnancy
Fertilised egg implants outside of the intra-uterine cavity (usually fallopian tubes)
How/ why can an ectopic pregnancy be life threatening
Growing foetus stretches and can rupture tube walls leading to bleeding
Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy
- Abdominal cramps
- Light PV bleeding
- Dizziness
- Pain in shoulder, neck, rectum
- Vomiting
Name the 3 groups of ligaments supporting the uterus
Transverse cervical ligaments
Pubocervical ligaments
Sacrocervical ligaments
What are the transverse cervical ligaments and what do they do
Fibromuscular from lateral pelvic wall to cervix and upper vagina
What are the pubocervical ligaments and what do they support
2 firm bands connective tissue from pubis to cervix (either side of the bladder)
Where do sacrocervical ligaments go to/ from
Cervix to sacrum
What do the anterior and posterior divisions of the internal iliac supply
Anterior= supply most of pelvic viscera Posterior= superior gluteal region and sacral area
Where does the obturator artery leave pelvis through
Obturator foramen
Which artery obliterates in the pelvis
Medial uterine artery
Which vessels supply the bladder
Superior vesicular vessels
Which two arteries go together in a circuit
Uterine and ovarian
Which artery is regarded as the end of the internal iliac
Inferior gluteal
Where does the inferior gluteal exit and enter the pelvis
Exit= greater sciatic foramen
Enter again= lesser sciatic foramen
Which artery travels in the suspensory ligament
Ovarian artery
What artery supplies lower 2/3 of the vagina
Vaginal
How does the ureter travel
Under the ovarian and uterine artery (water under the bridge)
Which arteries of the uterus cause thickening of the uterus
Spiral arteries
Purpose of the pelvic floor
Divide main pelvic cavity (above) and perineum (below)
Why is the pelvic floor incomplete anteriorly
To allow passage of vagina and urethra
Name the 4 muscles which make up the levator ani
- Sphincter vaginae
- Puborectalis
- Pubococcygeus
- Iliococcygeus
Apart from levator ani, which muscles also make up pelvic floor
Coccygeus
Which other muscles are in the pelvis but not part of pelvic floor
Piriformis
Obturator internus
What can cause a prolapse of the uterus
Lack of levator ani tone
Damage during childbirth or general poor body muscular tone
Menopause
What always accompanies uterus prolapse
Vaginal prolapse
Define first and second degree prolapse
First degree- uterus not externally visible. Second degree- uterus externally visible
What can be used to treat uterine prolapse and how
Ring pessary
Used to support cervix (ring of plastic)
Which muscles are most commonly torn during childbirth?
Why is this important
Pubococcygeus and puborectalis
(most medial part)
Important because they encircle the urethra and border the rectum–> incontinence
What erectile tissues are found in the superficial pouch in women
bulb of vestible
crura of clitoris
What 3 muscles are found in female superficial pouch
Bulbospongiosus
Ischiocavernosus
Superficial transverse perineal muscle
Function of bartholin’s gland
Secrete mucous to lubricate the vagina
Function of bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus
B- reduces size of vaginal orifice and compresses dorsal vein of clitoris
I- assists clitoral erection
What are the nerve roots of pudendal nerve
S2,3,4
Where does the pudendal canal exit the pelvis and enter the perineum
Exits through greater sciatic foramen
Enters through lesser sciatic foramen
What does the pudendal nerve split into
Inferior rectal nerve
Dorsal nerve of clitoris
Perineal nerve
What does internal pudendal artery split into
Inferior rectal
Branches to labia and clitoris
What nerve block can be used for episiotomy
Pudendal nerve block
What is spinal anaesthesia used for
Subarachnoid space: L4-5
Complete anaethesia below waist
What is caudal epidural block
Anaesthetic adminstered to catheter in sacral canal
Where do lymphs drain for ovaries
Paraaortic
Where are skin and vulva lymph drained
Superficial inguinal lymph nodes
When might a horizontal lymph node clearance be used
Vulva cancer
Scrotal cancer
Penis
Ovaries testes
What moves through Alcocks canal
Pudendal nerve
