Female Anatomy Flashcards
What ligaments are in the female reproductive system?
- Broad
- Gubernaculum derived (ovarian and round)
- Other ligaments (lower uterus, cervix, upper vagina)
Where is the broad ligament?
Lateral pelvic wall to sides of uterus
What are the subdivisions of the broad ligament?
- Mesometrium
- Mesoalpinx
- Mesovarium
- Suspensory ligament of ovary
What passes through the suspensory ligament of the ovary? Where do they go?
Blood vessels, nerves and lymph vessels.
Ovary
What is an anterior fold of the ‘other ligaments’?
Uterovesicular fold
Where does the uterovesicular fold extend?
Bladder to cervix
What is a posterior fold of the ‘other’ ligaments?
Rectovaginal fold
Where does the rectovaginal fold extend?
Rectum to posterior fornix
What ligaments are the lateral edges of the rectovaginal fold?
Uterosacral ligaments
How is the cervical ligament oriented?
Radially
What are the most important sides of the cervical ligament?
Transverse/cardinal
Where does the cervical ligament extend?
Sides of cervix/vault of vagina to lateral wall of pelvis
How long is the ovary?
3cm
Where are the ovaries located?
In ovarian fossa adjacent to lateral wall of pelvis
What is the ovarian fossa?
Shallow indentation between the lateral attachment of the broad ligament anteriorly and the ureter and internal iliac vessels posteriorly
Why might the position of the ovary vary?
Pregnancy
What are the surfaces of the ovary?
- Mesovarian (anterior)
- Free border (posterior)
- Tubal extremity (superior)
- Uterine extermity (inferior)
To which surface does the suspensory ligament and single ovarian fimbra from uterine attach?
Tubal extremity
What is the hilum of the ovary?
Where vessels enter ovary from suspensory ligament
Where do the ampulla and infundibulum of uterine tubes curve around the ovary?
Posteriorly
What does the inside of the ovary consist of?
Innver vascular medulla
What does the outside of the ovary consist of?
Outer cortex with ovarian follicles
What does each follicle contain?
Ovum and surrounding endocrine cells.
What does the mature follicle accumulate? Where does it accumulate?
Viscous fluid (antral fluid) Internal cavity or antrum
What is ovulation?
Temporary break in the otherwise intact surface of the ovary
What are the ovum and supporting cells collected by? How?
Fimbriae of the uterine tube
Combination of ciliary action and muscular contractions
Where do the ovum and supporting cells go after collection?
They are transported to the ampulla of the uterine tube where either fertilisation occurs or the ovum degenerates.
What happens if fertilisation occurs?
The fertilised ovum (blastocyst) is transported through the isthmus and intramural of the uterine tube and into the uterus where implantation occurs.
What happens to the supporting cells after fertilisation?
They degenerate
What do the endocrine cells of the follicile produced prior to ovulation?
Oestrogen
What do the remaining endocrine cells after ovulation form?
Corpus luteum
What does the corpus luteum produce?
Progesterone
Where is the uterine tube in relation to the ovary?
Anterosuperior
Where is the infundibulum in relation to the ovary?
Lateral
Where are the external iliac vessels in relation to the ovary?
Superior
Where are the internal iliac vessels and ureter in relation to the ovary?
Posterior
How long are the uterine tubes?
10 cm long
What are the uterine tubes attached to?
Upper margin of the broad ligament
The uterine tubes are open at both ends making them vulnerable. T or F.
True
What are the 4 regions of the uterine tubes?
- Infundibulum with folds (fimbriae)
- Ampulla (lateral 2/3, fertilisation occurs here)
- Isthmus
- Intramural
What are the 3 layers of the uterine tubes?
- Mucosa
- Smooth muscle
- Seros (peritoneum)
The mucosa layer is elaborately folded in the distal parts of the tube but there are no glands. T or F.
True
What are all regions in the uterine tubes lined with?
Epithelium consisting of ciliated and secretory cells.