Female Genital Tract Flashcards
What are female chromosomes?
XX
What are male chromosomes?
XY
Fetal gender is determined by what?
The sperm which fertilize the ovum
How do male/female reproductive organs develop?
Gonadal ridges grow to form primary sex cords
When is the external genitalia fully formed?
12th week of gestation
What forms most of the female reproductive system?
Müllerian ducts
What forms most of the male reproductive system?
Wolffian Ducts
What derives from the Müllerian ducts?
The uterus and upper third of the vagina
What happens during the 7th-12th weeks of gestation?
Müllerian ducts elongate - internal lumens
Fusion begins and ends where? Generally and specifically.
Caudally to cephalically
Vagina to Fallopian tubes
What do unfused cranial ends form?
The Fallopian tubes
What do the fused caudal ends form?
The vagina, cervix, and uterus
What can occur through the fusion process?
Fusion anomalies
When imaging the pediatric pelvis, what has to be full?
The bladder
When imaging the pediatric pelvis, what are the guidelines for filling the bladder of a infant/toddler?
Have parents keep the child well hydrated
When imaging the pediatric pelvis, what are the guidelines for filling the bladder of a potty trained child?
Drink 2 glasses of fluid 1 hour prior; hold bladder
When imaging the pediatric pelvis, what are the guidelines for filling the bladder of a young teen?
3-4 glasses of fluid 1 hour prior
Are endovaginal exams done on children/minors?
NO; except for extenuating circumstances
What does the bladder wall look like?
Smooth and thin
What is the thickness of the bladder?
Full = 1.5-3.0 mm
Empty or partially filled = < 5 mm
What is applied to the bladder jets during an ultrasound?
Color Doppler
When imagining the bladder jets, the ureters should not be _________.
Dilated
Where should fluid not be visible when imaging the bladder?
The neck and the urethra
Why do we image “post-void” or an empty bladder?
To make sure the bladder is actually the bladder and not a cyst
Name 4 things about a newborns uterus…
Maternal hormones are still present
Pear shaped
Length is 3.5 cm
Fundus/cervix ratio is 1:2
Name 4 things about a 2-3 month olds uterus…
Teardrop shaped - tubular configuration
Length is 2.5-3.0 cm (prepuberty)
Fundus/cervix ratio is 1:1
No discernible endometrial stripe
Describe what a 7 year olds uterus looks like…
Increases in size
Looks more pear shaped
Name 3 things about a puberty/post puberty uterus…
Dramatic changes in shape and size
Length is 5-7 cm
Fundus/cervix ratio is 3:1
What part of the female reproductive tract is difficult to evaluate?
The vagina
How can the vagina be seen during an ultrasound?
With a full bladder
Describe the vagina and its location to the bladder and the cervix.
Tubular structure posterior to the bladder
Continuity with the cervix
A bright central echo is an image of what?
The vagina
What is used to measure the ovaries?
A volume measurement
Ovaries can be difficult to images, where should you look?
Anywhere between the lower pole of the kidneys to the true pelvis
Size of the ovaries are _____ up to _____ years old.
Stable, 5
What is the measurement of the ovary?
.75-.86 cm cubed
What does a neonatal ovary look like?
Heterogenous secondary to tiny cysts
What does the ovary look like as it increases with ages?
Homogeneous; maybe small cysts
What 3 effects can developmental abnormalities of the ovaries and uterus have on a female?
Interference with blood supply
Distortion of the uterine cavity causing infertility
Spontaneous AB
What percentage of female develop congenital abnormalities?
Approximately .5%
A uterus and ovary abnormality is associated with what else?
A renal abnormality
Name some Müllerian abnormalities…
Improper fusion, incomplete development of one side, incomplete vaginal canalization
What should you ALWAYS check if a Müllerian abnormality is detected?
The kidneys
