Female - Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

Mesovarium

A
  • double folds of peritoneum
  • attaches ovaries to the broad ligament
  • carries the blood supply, lymphatic drainage & nerve supply of the ovary.
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2
Q

Broad ligament

A
  • peritoneum
  • drapes over the uterus
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3
Q

Ovarian ligament

A

connects the ovary to the uterus

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4
Q

Suspensory ligament

A

connects the ovary to the pelvic wall

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5
Q

Function of the ovaries (2)

A
  • steroid production
  • gametogenesis (production of gametes/germ cells)
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6
Q

Ovary - blood supply

A

Principally from the ovarian arteries which arise from the aorta, just below the renal arteries.

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7
Q

The ovary is approx. ______cm long, _____cm wide & ____cm thick & weighs about _____g.

A

4cm, 3cm, 2cm, 10g.

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8
Q

The ovary is divided into the:

A
  • Outer cortex
  • Inner medulla
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9
Q

Granulosa cells produce…
(ovary cortex)

A

estradiol

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10
Q

Differentiated theca cells produce…
(ovary cortex)

A

androgens

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11
Q

Outer cortex of the ovary

A
  • covered by tunica albuginea (connective tissue capsule) & a layer of simple epithelium = consisting of ovarian surface epithelial cells (repairs the wall of the ovary after ovulation).
  • composed of dense cellular stroma containing ovarian follicles = where each one contains a primary oocyte surrounded by follicle cells.
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12
Q

Inner medulla of the ovary

A

Neurovascular elements innervate the medulla

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13
Q

The stroma cells outside the granulosa cell layer differentiate into:

A
  • Theca interna = more vascular & secretes androstenedione (which is converted later on by granulosa cells to estrogen)
  • Theca externa = more fibrous, smooth muscle. Gradually merges with the stroma.
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14
Q

Ovarian follicles

A

Fluid-filled structures that each contain an oocyte.

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15
Q

Polar body

A
  • Byproduct of an oocyte meiotic division
  • contains haploid number (23) of c/somes
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16
Q

Physiology of the Ovary

A

A) Shortly before ovulation, meiosis is completed in the primary oocyte in response to the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge.

B) The oocyte casts off the 1st polar body resulting in the # of c/somes in the remaining nucleus being reduced from 46 to 23.
(primary oocyte & the 1st polar body each contain haploid # (23) of c/somes)
- at this stage the ripe follicle is about 20mm in diameter.

C) At ovulation it ruptures, releasing the oocyte usually into the fimbriated end of the fallopian tube.

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17
Q

The follicle in the ovary collapses
- granulosa cells become…
- theca interna forms…

A
  • The granulosa cells become luteal cells
    while the
  • Theca interna forms the theca lutein cells
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18
Q

Explain the Corpus luteum
- development, appearance, secretion, degeneration.

A
  • develops & projects from the surface of the ovary.
  • can be recognized by the naked eye by its crinkled outline & yellow appearance
  • its cells secrete estrogen & progesterone
  • it degenerates in about 10 days if the ovum isn’t fertilized. Then a small amount of bleeding occurs into its cavity, the cells undergo hyaline degeneration & a corpus albicans is formed.
  • if pregnancy does occur, the corpus luteum grows & may reach 3cm in diameter, & persists for 80-120 days & then gradually degenerates.
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19
Q

Oviducts / Uterine ducts / Fallopian Tubes are muscular tubes with:

A
  • distal ends close to the surface of each ovary
  • proximal ends traversing the wall of the uterus
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20
Q

Oviducts / Uterine Tubes / Fallopian Tubes are divided into 4 regions:
(from the ovary to the uterus)

A
  • Infundibulum with fimbriae
  • Ampullae
  • Isthmus
  • Intramural / Interstitial portion
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21
Q

3 functions of the Oviducts / Uterine Tubes / Fallopian Tubes

A
  1. Captures the cumulus-oocyte complex & transfers it to the ampullary-isthmic junction where fertilization takes place.
  2. Provides a site for sperm storage,
    - sperms remain viable by adhering to epithelial cells lining the isthmus.
  3. Secretes fluids that provide nutritional support to the preimplantation embryo.
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22
Q

3 walls/layers of the Oviducts / Uterine Tubes / Fallopian Tubes

A
  1. Endosalpinx
  2. Myosalpinx
  3. Perisalpinx
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23
Q

Endosalpinx wall/layer

A
  • mucosa
  • lined by simple epithelium thrown into folds & made up of 2 cell types:
    1) Ciliated epithelium = propels the cumulus-oocyte complex towards the uterus.
    2) Secretory cells = produces protein-rich mucous that maintains healthy epithelium.
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24
Q

Myosalpinx wall/layer

A
  • muscularis (2 layers) = smooth muscular layer
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25
Q

Perisalpinx wall/layer

A
  • outer lying connective tissue
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26
Q

Uterus

A
  • a hollow, muscle-walled organ in the pelvis communicating with each fallopian tube, & through its cervix, the vagina.
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27
Q

Pre-pregnancy - uterus weight

A

40g

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28
Q

Full term pregnancy - uterus weight

A

1000g or 1kg

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29
Q

Relations of the uterus
- Peritoneum

A
  • the body & fundus are covered with the peritoneum.
  • over the rest of the uterus, the attachment is dense & it can’t be stripped off the uterine muscle.
30
Q

Relations of the uterus
- Anterior

A
  • Uterovescial pouch
  • Bladder
31
Q

Relations of the uterus
- Lateral

A

Broad ligaments with their contents

32
Q

Relations of the uterus
- Posterior

A
  • Pouch of Douglas / Recto-uterine pouch
  • Rectum
33
Q

4 regions of the Uterus

A
  1. Fundus
  2. Body
  3. Isthmus
  4. Cervix
34
Q

Cervix consists of 3 parts:

A
  1. Cervical canal
  2. Internal os
  3. External os
35
Q

Uterus wall - 3 concentric layers

A
  1. Endometrium
  2. Myometrium
  3. Perimetrium
36
Q

Perimetrium

A
  • outer layer / serosa
  • is continuous with the broad ligament
37
Q

Myometrium

A
  • thick, middle layer
  • is formed from 3 intertwining layers of smooth muscle =
  • non-pregnant uterus = muscle cells are less than 0.25mm in length.
  • pregnancy = smooth muscle cells increase both in size & in number.
38
Q

Structures in the Internal genitalia

A
  • vagina
  • uterus = fundus, body, cervix, isthmus
  • ovaries
39
Q

Uterus - blood supply

A
  • from the uterine & ovarian arteries (mostly)
40
Q

Uterine artery

A
  • a branch of the internal iliac artery
  • runs in the lower edge of the broad ligament to the junction of the uterine body & cervix, before running up the side of the uterus giving off several branches into the myometrium.
  • the ureter lies immediately beneath the uterine artery.
41
Q

What does the saying ‘water under the bridge’ mean in terms of anatomy?

A

It means the ureter is under the uterine artery.

42
Q

The Uterus is supported by ligaments.
- What are the principal ligaments that support the uterus? (3)

A
  • transverse cervical / cardinal ligaments
  • uterosacral ligaments
  • round ligament
43
Q

Round ligament

A
  • rises from the fundus of the uterus, anterior to the fallopian tube & passes into the inguinal canal ending in the labia majora.
44
Q

Broad ligament

A

2 folds/layers of peritoneum that runs over the fallopian tubes
- anteriorly to the uterovesical reflection
- posteriorly to the rectovaginal reflection

45
Q

Transverse cervical / Cardinal / Mackenrodt ligaments

A

attaches the lateral side of the vagina & cervix (of the uterus) to the lateral side of the pelvic wall.

46
Q

Uterosacral ligament

A

Attaches the cervix (of the uterus) to the sacrum.

47
Q

In pregnancy, the ligaments are…

A
  • stretched
  • thickened
  • soften = because of the progesterone & relaxin effect on collagen.
48
Q

Cervix (of the uterus)

A
  • barrel-shaped canal at the bottom of the uterus.
  • mostly connective tissue with muscle at upper & lower end (internal & external os).
  • in late pregnancy, the ground substance of connective tissue becomes softer with a greater water content & the cervix becomes softer clinically.
49
Q

Vagina

A

a fibromuscular canal that extends from the vestibule of the vulva to the cervix, around which it is attached to form the fornices.

50
Q

4 functions of the Vagina

A
  1. Passageway for menstrual flow
  2. Receives sperm & semen from the male
  3. Female organ of copulation (sexual intercourse)
  4. Birth canal during delivery of the infant
51
Q

Anterior vaginal wall

A

6-9 cm long

52
Q

Posterior vaginal wall

A

10-12 cm

53
Q

Vaginal wall
- childbirth
- normal

A
  • in childbirth = capable of great distension after the prolonged hormonal stimulation of pregnancy.
  • normally = the walls are normally flattened in the anteroposterior diameter giving the appearance of the letter ‘H’ in a cross-section.
54
Q

The Vaginal walls have:

A

1) Outer connective tissue layer = to which ligaments are attached. It also contains blood vessels, lymphatics & nerves.

2) Muscular layer = consists of an: (variable thickness & function)
- outer longitudinal layer
- inner circular layer

3) Epithelium of stratified squamous epithelium = in adult women contains glycogen.
- Composed of 3 layers:
1. Basal layer
2. Functional layer
3. Cornified layer

55
Q

Vagina
- Epithelium of stratified squamous epithelium

A

Epithelium of stratified squamous epithelium = in adult women contains glycogen.
- Composed of 3 layers:
1. Basal layer
2. Functional layer
3. Cornified layer

  • Undergoes cyclical changes during the menstrual cycle & characteristic changes during pregnancy.
  • After menopause, it atrophies so that smears taken from postmenopausal women contain a high proportion of basal cells.
56
Q

Vaginal fluid

A
  • composed of cervical secretion & transudation through the vaginal epithelium.
  • allows colonization of lactobacilli which produce lactic acid from the glycogen in the epithelial cells.
57
Q

Vulva / External genitalia of the female includes:
(9)

A
  • mons pubis
  • labia majora
  • labia minora
  • clitoris
  • vestibule
  • external urethra
  • meatus
  • Bartholin
  • Hymen
58
Q

Mons pubis

A
  • pad of fat that lies over the pubic symphysis
  • covered with skin in which hair grows profusely from puberty to menopause.
59
Q

Labia major

A
  • 2 folds of skin that enclose the vaginal opening.
  • made up of fatty tissue that is very sensitive to estrogen stimulation.
  • the skin is of the labia major is covered with hair after puberty
60
Q

Clitoris

A
  • contains erectile tissue & is attached to the pubic arch by its crura.
  • folds of skin running forward from the labia minor form the prepuce of the clitoris.
61
Q

Labia minor

A
  • delicate folds of skin, containing fibrous tissue & numerous blood vessels & erectile tissue.
  • skin contains sebaceous glands
62
Q

Vestibule

A
  • part of the vulva between the labia minora; into which opens the vagina, with the external meatus of the urethra in front & the ducts of the Bartholin glands behind.
63
Q

External urethral meatus

A
  • opening of the urethra covered with squamous epithelium.
  • Skene’s ducts from the posterior urethral glands open on to the posterior margin of the meatus.
64
Q

External urethral meatus

A
  • opening of the urethra covered with squamous epithelium.
  • Skene’s ducts from the posterior urethral glands open onto the posterior margin of the meatus.
65
Q

Bartholin glands

A
  • a pair of glands, the ducts of which are lined by columnar epithelium.
  • resembles salivary glands
  • secretion is colorless & mucoid = produced mainly on sexual excitement.
66
Q

Hymen

A
  • circular or crescentic fold of squamous epithelium & connective tissue which partly closes the vaginal entrance in young women.
  • shape & size varies
  • is often ruptured or stretched by tampon insertion or by intercourse - childbirth destroys it.
67
Q

Perineum = is a diamond-shaped area between the thighs that is circumscribed:
- anteriorly
- laterally
- posteriorly

A

Anteriorly = pubic symphysis
Laterally = ischial tuberosities
Posteriorly = coccyx

68
Q

Perineum - 2 distinct triangle bases, which are formed by…

A

an imaginary horizontal line extending between the ischial tuberosities of the ossa coxae.

69
Q

2 distinct triangles bases

A
  1. Anterior / Urogenital Triangle
  2. Posterior / Anal Triangle
70
Q

Anterior / Urogenital Triangle

A
  • contains the urethral & vaginal orifices
71
Q

Posterior / Anal triangle

A
  • location of the anus