Female Genitalia Flashcards
What is the uterus formed of
Fundus - usually expands during pregnancy and is covered by parietal peritoneum
Body
Cervix
What are the tissue structures that form the uterus
Myometrium - smooth muscle
Endometrium - epithelium lined with simple columnar epithelium
What recesses can be found anterior and posterior to the uterus - why are they significant
Recto-uterine pouch (Pouch of Douglas) - furthest point of abdominopelvic cavity -> site where fluid/infection collects
Vescio-uterine pouch
What are the regions of the uterine tube
Fimbriae
Infundibulum
Ampulla - site of fertilisation
Isthmus
How is the uterine tube specialised to move eggs down the tube
Fimbriae are motile and attract egg towards tube - one specialised fimbriae with a groove that channels the egg into the tube
Ciliated cells help move the egg down the tube
What are the peritoneal ligaments that attach to the female reprodutive system
Broad ligament
Round ligament
Ovarian ligament
Suspensory ligament of the ovary
What are the parts of the broad ligament and what do they do
Mesometrium - between uterus and pelvic walls
Mesosalpinx - encloses fallopian/uterine tubes
Mesovarium - encloses neurovascular supply to ovary
What does the round ligament connect
Connects uterus to the labia major
Becomes stretched in pregnancy -> pain and discomfort
What does the ovarian ligament connect
Connects ovary to the uterus
What does the suspensory ligament of the ovary surround
Surrounds ovarian neurovasculature
What is the cervix
The neck of the uterus
What epithelium lines the cervix
Simple columnar epithelium that produces cervical mucosa
What is the transformation zone of the cervix
The zone between the epithelium of the cervix and the vagina
Is seen in cervical cancers and cervical eversion
This zone is at most risk of malignant changes
What are found at the connection between the cervix and the vagina
Anterior, posterior and lateral fornix recesses
What are the arteries supplying the female reproductive system
Vaginal artery
Uterine artery
Ovarian atery
Internal pudendal artery
What is the venous drainage of the structures of the female reproductive system
Right ovary - gonadal -> IVC
Left ovary - gonadal -> left renal
Uterus - uterine plexus
Cervix - internal iliac
Vagina - vaginal plexus -> internal iliac
What is the lymphatic drainage of the female reproductive system
Right ovary - para-aortic nodes
Left ovary - para-aortic nodes
Uterus - iliac, sacral, aortic and inguinal nodes
Cervix - internal iliac nodes
Vagina - iliac and superficial inguinal nodes
What is the ovary
A paired organ where oogenesis occurs
What are found in the germinal epithelium
Stem cells are found in the germinal epithelium which produce follicles that mature to produce primary oocytes
What epithelium covers the vagina
Stratified squamous epithelium
How is the acidic pH of the vagina maintained
Vaginal epithelium is glycogen rich and this glycogen is used by lactobacilli to produce lactic acid -> lowers pH of the vagina to prevent microorganism growth
What are the axes and terms used to describe the position of the vagina and uterus
Angle of anteversion - either anteverted or retroverted. Between vagina and cervix
Angle of anteflexion - either anteflexed or retroflexed. Between cervix and uterine body
