Female pelvis and reproductive organs Flashcards
What is the mons pubis
A rounded pad of fat lying anterior to the symphysis pubis.
What are the labia majora
2 folds of fat and areolar tissue which are covered in skin and pubic hair on the outer surface
What are the labia minora
2 small subcutaneous folds, devoid of fat that lie between the labia majora
What is the prepuce
A retractable fold of skin that surrounds and protects the clitoris
What is the clitoris
Sexual organ corresponding to the male penis. Functions solely to induce orgasm during sexual intercourse
What does the upper layer of the labium minus cover
Passes above the clitoris to form , along with the prepuce, the fold that overhangs the clitoris
What does the lower layer of the labium minus cover
Passes below the clitoris to form the frenulum of the clitoris
Describe the vestibule
The area enclosed by labia minora which the openings of the urethra and vagina are situated.
What lies on either side of the urethral orifice
Openings of the Skene’s ducts
What is the hymen
A thin membrane in the vestibule, that tears during sexual intercourse.
After the hymen tears, what are the remaining tags called
The carunculae myrtiformes
What are Bartholin’s glands
2 small glands in the vestibule that open on either side of the vaginal orifice and lie in the posterior part of the labia majora. They secrete mucus to lubricate the vaginal opening
How is blood supplied to the vulva
Internal and externa pudendal arteries
How is blood drained from the vulva
Through the internal and external pudendal veins
Where does lymphatic drainage occur
via the inguinal glands
What is the nerve supply in the vulva derived from
Branches of the pudendal nerve
What is the perineum bound by anteriorly
The pubic arch
What is the perineum bound by posteriorly
The coccyx
What is the perineum bound by laterally
The ischiopubic rami, ischial tuberosities, and sacrotuberous ligaments
The perineum can be divided into 2 triangles. What does the anterior triangle contain
The external urogenital organs
What is the anterior triangle called
Urogenital triangle
What is the name of the posterior triangle
Anal triangle
What does the posterior triangle contain
The termination of the anal canal
What is the urogenital triangle bound by
Anteriorly and laterally bound by the pubic symphysis and the ischiopubic rami.
What are the 2 compartments of the urogenital triangle
The superficial and deep perineal spaces, separated by the perineal membrane
Describe the superficial transverse perineal muscle
A narrow slip of muscle that arises from the inner and forepart of the ischial tuberosity and is inserted into the central tendinous part of the perineal body.
Describe the bulbospongiosus muscle
Runs on either side of the vaginal orifice, covering the lateral aspects of the vestibular bulb anteriorly and the Bartholin’s gland posteriorly. This muscle diminished the orifice of the vagina and contributes to the erection of the clitoris
What is the bulbospongiosus muscle attatched to posteriorly
The superficial transverse perineal muscle and the EAS in the central fibromuscular perineal body.
What is the bulbospongiosus muscle attatched to anteriorly
Its fibres pass forward on either side of the vagina and insert into the corpora cavernosa clitoridis, to compress the deep dorsal vein.
Where is the ischiocavernosus muscle situated
On the side of the lateral boundary of the perineum.
What does the anal triangle include
The anal canal, the anal sphincters and the ischioanal fossae
What is the anal canal attached to posteriorly
Coccyx
How is the anal canal posteriorly attached to the coccyx
By the anococcygeal ligaments
What surrounds the anus laterally and posteriorly
Loose adipose tissue within the ischioanal fossae
What do the pudendal nerves pass over
The ischial spines
What surrounds the anal canal
Inner epithelial lining, a vascular subepithelium, the internal anal sphincter (IAS), the EAS and fibromuscular supporting tissue.
Why does the lining of the anal canal vary in length
Due to its embryologic derivation
What is the proximal anal canal lined with
Rectal mucosa
What are columns of Morgagni
vertical mucosal folds in the proximal anal canal
What joins the columns of Morgagni together
Crescentic folds called anal valves
What is the junction between the columnar and squamus epithelia referred to as
the anal transitional zone
What does EAS stand for
External anal sphincter
What does IAS stand for
Internal anal sphincter
What is the EAS made of
Striated muscle
What is the difference in the EAS in female anatomy compared to males
The external sphincter in the female is shorter anteriorly
Describe the IAS
A thickened continuation of the circular smooth muscle of the bowel and terminates with a well-defined rounded edge above the anal margin
Where does the anorectum receive its major blood supply from
From the superior haemorrhoidal and inferior haemorrhoidal arteries, and from a lesser degree from the middle haemorrhoidal artery
Describe the ischioanal fossa
Extends around the anal canal and is bound anteriorly by the perineal membrane, superiorly by the fascia of the levator ani muscle and medially by the EAS complex at the end of the anal canal.
What is the perineal body
The central point between the uro-genital and the anal triangles of the perineum
