FEMALE ANATOMY

Question 1

Name the parts of the female reproductive system in the pelvic cavity

Answer 1

• ovaries
• uterine tubes
• uterus
• superior part of vagina

Question 2

Name the parts of the female reproductive system in the perineum (ie, inferior to levator ani)

Answer 2

• inferior part of vagina
• perineal muscles
• Bartholin’s glands
• clitoris
• labia

Question 3

What role does the parietal peritoneum have in the anatomy of the reproductive system?

Answer 3

the floor of the peritoneal cavity = the roof of the pelvic organs

This forms the 2 pouches: vesico-uterine and recto-uterine (pouch of Douglas)

Question 4

Clinical significance of pouch of douglas

Answer 4

It is the most inferior part of the peritoneal cavity so excess (abnormal) fluid tends to collect there

Question 5

How is the pouch of Douglas drained?

Answer 5

pass a needle through the posterior fornix of the vagina

Question 6

What is the broad ligament of the uterus?

Answer 6

a double layer of peritoneum between the uterus and lateral walls + floor of pelvis

Question 7

Where is the round ligament of the uterus found and how is it formed?

Answer 7

an embryological remnant that attaches to the lateral aspect of the uterus

Question 8

What are the 3 histological layers of the body of the uterus?

Answer 8

• perimetrium
• myometrium
• endometrium

Question 9

What are the three layers of support which hold the uterus in anatomical position?

Answer 9

• strong ligaments (eg uterosacral ligaments)
• endopelvic fascia
• muscles of the pelvic floor (eg. levator ani)

Question 10

What is the course of the round ligament?

Answer 10

passes through the deep inguinal ring to attach to the superficial tissue of the female perineum

Question 11

What position is the uterus most commonly in?

Answer 11

Anteverted (cervix tipped anteriorly) and Anteflexed (uterus tipped anteriorly)

Question 12

In anteverted and anteflex position, where does the mass of the uterus lie?

Answer 12

over the bladder

Question 13

What is the normal variant of uterine position?

Answer 13

Retroverted (cervix tipped posteriorly) and Retroflexed (uterus tipped posteriorly)

Question 14

Which area is sampled in a smear examination?

Answer 14

The squamo-columnar junction

Question 15

Parts of uterine tubes

Answer 15

Infundibulum (funnel)
Ampulla
Isthmus

Question 16

Where does fertilisation occur?

Answer 16

ampulla

Question 17

Where do the fimbrial end of the uterine tube open?

Answer 17

peritoneal cavity

Question 18

Describe the vagina

Answer 18

muscular tube with walls in contact except where cervix holds them apart forming a fornix

Question 19

Describe the journey of the ovum

Answer 19

ovary picked up by fimbriae of uterine tube

Question 20

4 part of fornices of vagina

Answer 20

anterior, posterior and 2 lateral

Question 21

Where do the ovaries develop?

Answer 21

posterior abdominal wall then move on to lateral wall

Question 22

What can be palpated on vaginal digital examination?

Answer 22

ischial spines
uterus position (bimanual)
adnexae (tubes, ovaries)

Question 23

What forms the roof of the perineum?

Answer 23

pelvic diaphragm (mostly levator ani)

Question 24

What is levator ani?

Answer 24

a skeletal muscle that provides support to pelvic organs

Question 25

How does the levator ani muscle support the pelvic organs?

Answer 25

tonic contraction and further contraction reflexively when there is increased intra-abdominal pressure

Question 26

What nerve supplies levator ani?

Answer 26

S2,3,4 sacral plexus

Question 27

What is the perineal body?

Answer 27

bundle of collagenous and elastic tissue into which the perineal muscles attach
just deep to skin
pelvic floor strength that can be disrupted during labour

Question 28

What is Bartholin’s gland?

Answer 28

L and R of vaginal opening

secrete mucous

Question 29

Where does the bed of the breast extend from?

Answer 29

ribs 2-6, lateral border of sternum to mid-axillary line

• tail of Spence extends into the axilla.

Question 30

Which muscles do the breasts cover?

Answer 30

pectoralis major and serratus anterior

Question 31

Where is the retromammary space?

Answer 31

between the fascia and breast

Question 32

How do the breasts attach to skin?

Answer 32

suspensory ligaments?

Question 33

Where does lymph drain from the breast?

Answer 33

> 75% to ipsilateral axillary nodes then supraclavicular nodes

lower, inner breast –> abdominal nodes

Question 34

What are the levels of axillary nodes?

Answer 34

1: inferior and lateral to pec minor
2: deep to pec minor
3: superior and medial to pec minor

Question 35

Which arteries supply the breast?

Answer 35

internal thoracic

axillary

Question 36

quadrants of breast

Answer 36

upper outer, upper inner, lower outer, lower inner

Question 37

contents of axilla

Answer 37

brachial plexus branches, axillary artery, axillary vein, axillary lymph nodes