Female anatomy

Question 1

Name 3 ligaments that hold the uterus in place

Answer 1

Suspensory ligament
Broad ligament
Round ligament

Question 2

In a cadaver, where are the ovaries in relation to the uterus

Answer 2

Tucked behind- often can’t be seen in a anterior view

Question 3

Which ligament is a continuation of the peritoneum

Answer 3

Broad ligament

Question 4

What are fibroids

Answer 4

Muscular growths of the myometrium

Question 5

What part of the uterus is shed as part of the menstrual cycle

Answer 5

Endometrium

Question 6

Where does a high vagina swab take a swab from

Answer 6

Anterior and posterior fornix

Question 7

What is the ‘normal’ positioning of the uterus

Answer 7

Anteverted, anterflexed

Question 8

Name the 2 pouches found on either side of the uterus. What can accumulate here

Answer 8

Vesicouterine pouch

Pouch of Douglas

Question 9

How can the uterus positioning be different?

Answer 9

• Retroverted and retroflexed

- Just retroverted

Question 10

Which part of the female anatomy ‘catches’ released eggs

Answer 10

Fimbrae of fallopian tubes

Question 11

How big are the ovaries

Answer 11

Size of almonds``

Question 12

What is meant by ectopic pregnancy

Answer 12

Fertilised egg implants outside of the intra-uterine cavity (usually fallopian tubes)

Question 13

How/ why can an ectopic pregnancy be life threatening

Answer 13

Growing foetus stretches and can rupture tube walls leading to bleeding

Question 14

Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

Answer 14

• Abdominal cramps
• Light PV bleeding
• Dizziness
• Pain in shoulder, neck, rectum
• Vomiting

Question 15

Name the 3 groups of ligaments supporting the uterus

Answer 15

Transverse cervical ligaments
Pubocervical ligaments
Sacrocervical ligaments

Question 16

What are the transverse cervical ligaments and what do they do

Answer 16

Fibromuscular from lateral pelvic wall to cervix and upper vagina

Question 17

What are the pubocervical ligaments and what do they support

Answer 17

2 firm bands connective tissue from pubis to cervix (either side of the bladder)

Question 18

Where do sacrocervical ligaments go to/ from

Answer 18

Cervix to sacrum

Question 19

What do the anterior and posterior divisions of the internal iliac supply

Answer 19

Anterior= supply most of pelvic viscera
Posterior= superior gluteal region and sacral area

Question 20

Where does the obturator artery leave pelvis through

Answer 20

Obturator foramen

Question 21

Which artery obliterates in the pelvis

Answer 21

Medial uterine artery

Question 22

Which vessels supply the bladder

Answer 22

Superior vesicular vessels

Question 23

Which two arteries go together in a circuit

Answer 23

Uterine and ovarian

Question 24

Which artery is regarded as the end of the internal iliac

Answer 24

Inferior gluteal

Question 25

Where does the inferior gluteal exit and enter the pelvis

Answer 25

Exit= greater sciatic foramen | Enter again= lesser sciatic foramen

Question 26

Which artery travels in the suspensory ligament

Answer 26

Ovarian artery

Question 27

What artery supplies lower 2/3 of the vagina

Answer 27

Vaginal

Question 28

How does the ureter travel

Answer 28

Under the ovarian and uterine artery (water under the bridge)

Question 29

Which arteries of the uterus cause thickening of the uterus

Answer 29

Spiral arteries

Question 30

Purpose of the pelvic floor

Answer 30

Divide main pelvic cavity (above) and perineum (below)

Question 31

Why is the pelvic floor incomplete anteriorly

Answer 31

To allow passage of vagina and urethra

Question 32

Name the 4 muscles which make up the levator ani

Answer 32

- Sphincter vaginae - Puborectalis - Pubococcygeus - Iliococcygeus

Question 33

Apart from levator ani, which muscles also make up pelvic floor

Answer 33

Coccygeus

Question 34

Which other muscles are in the pelvis but not part of pelvic floor

Answer 34

Piriformis | Obturator internus

Question 35

What can cause a prolapse of the uterus

Answer 35

Lack of levator ani tone Damage during childbirth or general poor body muscular tone Menopause

Question 36

What always accompanies uterus prolapse

Answer 36

Vaginal prolapse

Question 37

Define first and second degree prolapse

Answer 37

First degree- uterus not externally visible. Second degree- uterus externally visible

Question 38

What can be used to treat uterine prolapse and how

Answer 38

Ring pessary | Used to support cervix (ring of plastic)

Question 39

Which muscles are most commonly torn during childbirth? | Why is this important

Answer 39

Pubococcygeus and puborectalis (most medial part) Important because they encircle the urethra and border the rectum--> incontinence

Question 40

What erectile tissues are found in the superficial pouch in women

Answer 40

bulb of vestible | crura of clitoris

Question 41

What 3 muscles are found in female superficial pouch

Answer 41

Bulbospongiosus Ischiocavernosus Superficial transverse perineal muscle

Question 42

Function of bartholin's gland

Answer 42

Secrete mucous to lubricate the vagina

Question 43

Function of bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus

Answer 43

B- reduces size of vaginal orifice and compresses dorsal vein of clitoris I- assists clitoral erection

Question 44

What are the nerve roots of pudendal nerve

Answer 44

S2,3,4

Question 45

Where does the pudendal canal exit the pelvis and enter the perineum

Answer 45

Exits through greater sciatic foramen | Enters through lesser sciatic foramen

Question 46

What does the pudendal nerve split into

Answer 46

Inferior rectal nerve Dorsal nerve of clitoris Perineal nerve

Question 47

What does internal pudendal artery split into

Answer 47

Inferior rectal | Branches to labia and clitoris

Question 48

What nerve block can be used for episiotomy

Answer 48

Pudendal nerve block

Question 49

What is spinal anaesthesia used for

Answer 49

Subarachnoid space: L4-5 | Complete anaethesia below waist

Question 50

What is caudal epidural block

Answer 50

Anaesthetic adminstered to catheter in sacral canal

Question 51

Where do lymphs drain for ovaries

Answer 51

Paraaortic

Question 52

Where are skin and vulva lymph drained

Answer 52

Superficial inguinal lymph nodes

Question 53

When might a horizontal lymph node clearance be used

Answer 53

Vulva cancer Scrotal cancer Penis Ovaries testes

Question 54

What moves through Alcocks canal

Answer 54

Pudendal nerve