Female pelvis Flashcards
List the female pelvic organs
Ovary, uterine (Fallopian) tubes Uterus and cervix Vagina Ureter, bladder, urethra Rectum and Caecum, appendix, parts of sigmoid colon and ileum Vessels, nerves and lymphatics
What is the key difference between the interaction between organs of different body systems in the female pelvis
Organs from several systems in the pelvic cavity. No sharing of reproductive and urinary passages in female.
How long are the vagina and urethra in females
Vagina- 10 cm
Urethra- 4cm long
Summarise the peritoneum and pelvic fascia in females
Parietal peritoneum continues into pelvic cavity but does not reach the pelvic floor.
Uterine tubes are completely enveloped by peritoneum – the broad ligament
Ovaries: suspended by mesovarium from posterior of broad ligament (not fully enveloped)
Pelvic fascial condensations form “ligaments” supporting viscera eg: cervix, vagina
Summarise the broad ligament of the ovary
The broad ligaments are transverse mesenteries joining the uterus to the pelvic walls.
Their important contents are the uterine tubes and uterine arteries.
Describe the descent of the ovaries
Like the testes, the ovaries develop high on the posterior abdominal wall and then descend, bringing their vessels, lymphatics and nerves with them
However, unlike the testes, the ovaries do not migrate through the inguinal canal into the perineum, but stop short and assume a position on the lateral wall of the pelvic cavity.
Describe the position of the ovary
Each almond-shaped ovary lies adjacent to the lateral pelvic wall just inferior to the pelvic inlet and is suspended by a fold of peritoneum, the mesovarium, from the posterior aspect of the broad ligament. The open (fimbriated) end of the uterine (fallopian) tube lies nearby, so that discharged ova may enter it. Within the mesovarium and posterior aspect of the broad ligament lies the ligament of ovary, which is an embryological remnant of the descent of the ovary
What ae the round ligaments and ovarian ligaments descendents of
Round ligament of uterus
Remnant of gubernaculum to inguinal canal
Ligament of ovary
Remnant of gubernaculum
Describe the function of the ovarian ligament
The ovarian ligament is attached to the ovary inferiorly. It connects the ovary to the side of the uterus. Structurally, it is a fibrous band of tissue that lies within the broad ligament. It joins the uterus just below the origin of the fallopian tubes.
Describe the function of the suspensory ligament of ovary
The suspensory ligament of ovary extends outwards from the ovary to the lateral abdominal wall. It consists of a fold of peritoneum, thus some sources consider it to be part of the broad ligament. The function of this ligament is to contain the ovarian vessels and nerves (ovarian artery, ovarian vein, ovarian nerve plexus and lymphatic vessels).
What are the functions of the ovaries
Sites of egg production (oogenesis)- mature eggs are ovulated in the peritoneal cavity and normally directed into the adjacent openings of the uterine tubes by cilia on the ends of the uterine tubes
Summarise the stability of the cervix and the vagina
3 sets of fibrous bands – the cervical ligaments – anchor the cervix in position within the pelvis. These prevent the uterus from prolapsing through the vagina.
Describe the 3 ligaments that stabilise the cervix and vagina
Condensations of fascia form ligaments that extend from the cervix to the anterior (pubocervical), lateral (transverse cervical or cardinal) and posterior (uterosacral ligament) pelvic walls.
These ligaments together with the perineal membrane, levator ani muscles and the perineal body, are thought to stabilise the uterus in the pelvic cavity
The most important of these is the cardinal ligament, which extend laterally from each side of the cervix and vaginal vault to the related pelvic wall
Help to prevent prolapse and the positive pressures in the abdomen pushing these organs down
Summarise the uterus and uterine tubes
Consists of fundus, body, lower segment and cervix
Uterine tubes consist of infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus and uterine parts
Potential communication between peritoneal cavity and exterior via the reproductive passage -abdominal ostium of uterine tube and vaginal opening. (None exists in males)
Describe the uterus
The uterus is a thick-walled muscular organ in the midline between the bladder and the recutm.
It consist of a body and a cervix, inferiorly it joins the vagina
Superiorly, uterine tubes project laterally from the uterus and open into the peritoneal cavity immediately adjacent to the ovaries
Describe the body of the uterus
Flattened anteroposteriorly and, above the level of the origin of the uterine tubes, has a rounded superior end (fundus).
the cavity of the body is a narrow slit, when viewed laterally, and is shaped like an inverted triangle when viewed anteriorly
each of the superior corners is continuous with the lumen of the uterine tubes; the inferior corner is continuous with the central canal of the cervix