Female Anatomy

Question 1

Where does oogenesis occur? Give details

Answer 1

Ovary
It contains follicles that will be stimulated by FSH to produce a primary follicle, which will then mature to release an ovum.

Question 2

How are the ovaries similar to the testes?

Answer 2

It is analogous to the testis in men. It has a fibrous outer structure called the tunica albuginea, like the testis, and has the same embryological origin.

Question 3

Why is there a sharp pain at ovulation?

Answer 3

Ovary is fully enclosed in parietal peritoneum. Ovum ruptures through the capsule of the ovary to enter the peritoneal cavity

Question 4

How can ovulation lead to cancer

Answer 4

Nuns undergo far more ovulation than most other woman. A nun will never get pregnant - will have far more ovulation than average woman. Ovulation is traumatic.every time we have trauma of the ovary, increased rate of mitosis = increase risk of mutations. Less ovulation = lower risk

Question 5

What are ovarian cysts?

Answer 5

Ovarian cysts can occur, which can be asymptomatic, or lead to complications such as torsion or rupture.
They are usually derived from follicles. Polycystic ovaries (>10 cysts) is a common cause of infertility

Question 6

Why are ovarian malignancies hard to identify clinically

Answer 6

Deep structures - hard topalpate

Question 7

Where to tumours of the ovary most commonly arise?

Answer 7

Epithelial components or germ cells

Question 8

What does the suspension ligament o the ovary allow passage of?

Answer 8

The suspensory ligament of the ovary allows passage of the ovarian artery and vein to the ovary. The origin of the ovarian artery is directly from the abdominal aorta, and the ovarian vein drains in the same way as the testicular veins.
Right -> I vc, left -> left renal vein

Question 9

Where does fertilisation occur

Answer 9

This allows passage of the ovum to the uterus, and is the site where fertilisation occurs.

Question 10

Describe the anatomy of the uterinetubes

Answer 10

It is important to recognise that the female reproductive tract opens into the peritoneal cavity. The fallopian tubes have fimbrae to allow a large surface area to

Question 11

What is ectopic pregnancy

Answer 11

Implantation in the wrong place, most commonly uterine tubes. This is a medical emergence as the tubes are not adapted for implantation ; can cause severe haemmorrhage

Question 12

What are the parts of the uterus

Answer 12

The uterus is divided into the fundus, the body and the cervix. The fundus usually expands during pregnancy, and is covered by parietal peritoneum.

Question 13

What are the ligaments around the uterus

Answer 13

There are a number of ligaments around the uterus:
- The round ligament
- The ligament of the ovary (continuous with the round ligament)
- The broad ligament (double fold of peritoneum)
The broad ligament can be subdivided according to its surrounding structures:
 Mesovarium – surrounding the ovary
 Mesometrium – between the pelvic wall and the uterus
 Mesosalpinx – surrounding the fallopian tubes

Question 14

What does the uterine artery arise from and describe its location

Answer 14

The uterine artery originates from the internal iliac artery, and runs between the layers of the broad ligament. Importantly, the ureter runs
under the uterine artery (

Question 15

What are some important anatomical relations to the uterus

Answer 15

Some important anatomical relations to consider is that the bladder is anterior to the uterus, and the rectum is posterior to the uterus.

Question 16

What ar teh vesicouterine pouch and the rectouterine pouch

Answer 16

The peritoneal reflections between these organs are known as the vesicouterine pouch between the uterus and the bladder anteriorly,
and the rectouterine pouch (

Question 17

Describe the internal composition of the uterus

Answer 17

The uterus internally is comprised of smooth muscle (myometrium) and an epithelial layer of endometrium, lined with simple columnar epithelium. Both of these structures undergo changes during the menstrual cycle, which will be covered in more depth when we look at the menstrual cycle.

Question 18

What is endometriosis

Answer 18

Condition in which ectopic endometrial tissue is dispersed to various sites along the peritoneal cavity and beyond. It may be associated with the ovaries or attachments of the uterus an is often associated with severe period pain (dysmenorrhea), infertility or both

Question 19

What is the cervix

Answer 19

This is a fibrous structure that can change through hormonal stimulation during the menstrual cycle. It also changes during pregnancy and delivery to allow birth of the fetus.

Question 20

What can be observed by examination with a speculum

Answer 20

It is important to recognise the pathology of the cervix such as cervical cancer via speculum examination/ The

Question 21

What is the cervix lined by

Answer 21

The cervix is lined with simple columnar epithelium that produces cervical mucus, which changes in consistency and pH depending on the menstrual cycle to help facilitate or prevent entry of sperm.
The zone close to the external os is called the transitional zone, where the epithelium changes from cervical to vaginal epithelium, and is most at risk of malignant changes. These early malignant changes can be identified through cervical screening.

Question 22

What are the angels between cervix/vagina and cervix/uterus called

Answer 22

The normal angle between the cervix and the vagina is known as anteversion, and the normal angle between the cervix and the uterus is known as anteflexion.
These are <180. However >180 = retroversion/flexion

Question 23

What are fornices

Answer 23

Superior portions of the vagina, extending into the recesses created by the cervix

Question 24

What is the vagina lined by

Answer 24

The vagina is lined with stratified squamous epithelium. It contains lactobacilli (which feed on glycogen) as part of its flora to regulate the pH and keep the environment acidic to prevent infections such as candida (thrush).

Question 25

How is the vagina adapted

Answer 25

It is adapted to expand during birth and its epithelium is designed to resist friction e.g. during sexual intercourse. It cannot provide any lubrication and is therefore dependent on secretions from the cervix.

Question 26

What is the vulva

Answer 26

This is the external genitalia and is comprised of the labia majora and labia minora. Vulval tumours can occur and it can be a site of female genital mutilation (covered later in this unit).

Question 27

How can pneumoperitoneum occur via the femalereporpducive tract

Answer 27

Opening in the peritoneum at the ovaries - if air enters through vagina