Female Reporductive System Flashcards
Vulva
External genitalia
Internal reproductive organs
Vagina
Uterus
Fallopian tubes
Ovaries
Mons pubis/veneris
Pad of fat right at the top of the vulva
Labia majora
Two folds of fat that are covered with pubic hair on the outer surface
Labia minora
Smaller folds that lie between labia majora
Upper layer forms the prepuce
Prepuce
Retractable piece of skin which surrounds and protects the clitoris
Fourchette
Where the labia minora fuse postierorly
Vestibule
Area inside the labia minora that includes the vaginal opening and urethra opening
Urethral orifice
Opening of the pee hole
Vaginal orifice
Opening of the vagina that is partially closed by hymen
Greater vestibular glands
Two glands on either side of vaginal opening that secretes mucus for lubrication
Clitoris
External part (clitoral glans) are densely packed with nerve endings
Internal part has erectile tissue
Supplied with blood from punendal arteries
Vagina function
Passage for menstrual flow
Childbirth
Sex
Where is the vagina in relation to the bladder, rectum and uterus?
Bladder is anterior
Rectum is posterior
Uterus is superior
Vaginal walls measurements
Posterior- 10cm long
Anterior wall- 7.5cm long
Cervical Fornices location
(Imagine cervix is like a ring)
Posterior fornix is behind the cervix
Anterior fornix is the front of the cervix
Lateral fornix is the sides of the cervix
Features of Vaginal lining
Squamous epithelium
Rugae
pH is acidic to prevent any infections
Types of Muscle layer
Weaker inner circular fibres
Stronger outer longitudinal fibres
Pelvic fascia
Connective tissue surrounding the vagina
The uterus
Hollow pear shaped muscular organ
Position of uterus
Anteversion- uterus leans forward
Anteflexion- bends forward upon itself
Fundus
Top wall of the uterus
Cornuae
Where the fallopian tubes join the uterus
Cavity
Within the body of the uterus, triangle looking
Isthmus
Junction between body and cervix
Perimetrium
The layer draped over the uterus and tubes
Myometrium
Muscle layer:
1)inner circular fibres around cervix
2)interlacing spiral fibres over the upper part
3)longitudinal fibres from the cervix to the fundus to the cervix again
Endometrium
Ciliated epithelium
Functional layer that shed during menstruation
Basal layer that regenerates every cycle
Cervix
Part of the uterus
Lower part sits within the vagina
Upper part sits above the vagina
Cervical canal features
Columnar epithelium that secretes mucus
Muscles fibres embedded allow it to stretch during labour
Internal os
Narrow opening between isthmus and cervix
External os
Round opening at lower end of cervix
Uterus blood supply
Branches of internal iliac artery
Uterine tubes function
(Also known as fallopian tubes)
Propels the ovum towards the uterus
Infundibulum
Composed of fimbriae
Fimbria elongate to catch the egg
Uterine tube structure
Longitudinal and circular muscle
Lined with ciliated columnar epithelium
Purpose of ciliated columnar epithelium
Wafts ovum from infundibulum towards uterus
Contains plicae
Goblet cells whose secretions nourish the ovum
Ovaries function
Produces oocytes and oestrogen and progesterone
Ovary cortex
Functioning part that contains the ovarian follicles
Ovary medulla
Supporting network made of fibrous tissues
Blood vessels and nerves travel through it
Puberty
Age where reproductive organ reach maturity
Females: 12-14
Hormonal trigger for puberty
Hypothalamus releases LHRH
LHRH acts on pituitary gland which releases FSH and LH
These cause oestrogen to be secreted by ovaries
2ndary sex characteristics (female)
Maturation of uterus, tubes and ovaries
Breasts grow
Growth of pubic hair
Widening of pelvis
Increased fat deposition in hips and breasts
Menarche
Start of menstruation
Menopause
Ending of menstruation entirely
Menstruation
Vaginal bleeding as lining of uterus shed
Oogenesis
When mum is 20 weeks gestation, primary ova are formed in the developing fetus’ ovaries
How does Follicle maturation happen
Hypothalamus secretes LHRH
Pituitary gland releases FSH and LH which acts on the ovary
During follicle development
Follicle secretes oestrogen
Follicle matures from primordial (immature) to graafian (mature) follicle
Follicular fluid increases and follicle migrates to surface of ovary
What happens during Ovulation to the follicle
Follicle ruptures which releases ovum
Ovum is caught by fimbriae and propelled along tube towards uterus
Post ovulation
Corpus luteum (ghost of egg) secretes progesterone
This causes LH and FSH to fall
Falling LH levels leads to death of corpus luteum if not fertilised
What causes menstruation?
Decrease in progesterone and oestrogen
What causes the regrowing of functional endometrium layer?
Follicle maturing
(Proliferative phase)
What happens during ovulation that is because of progesterone?
Progesterone from corpus luteum stimulates the endometrium to become watery to help sperm to swim
What happens to the uterus during pregnancy?
- increased vascularity and fluid retention due to progesterone and oestrogen
- mechanical stretching
- becomes an abdominal organ
What is the endometrium called during pregnancy?
Decidua
8mm necessary for successful implantation
What happens to the myocytes in the myometrium?
- hyperplasia (increase in number 10x )
- hypertrophy ( increase in size)
What does progesterone do to the myometrium?
-relaxes it and inhibits contractions
How does the oblique muscle layer assist in stopping bleeding post- birth?
Myocytes is shaped in a figure of 8
Constricts around each blood vessel to stop bleeding
What happens to the perimetrium ligaments during pregnancy?
-open out to accommodate increase in size of uterine and ovarian blood vessels
Benefit of enlarged uterine veins during contractions:
Reservoir of o2 blood is left in uterus during contractions
Why does the isthmus become thin and have transverse muscle fibres?
- thinner so less vascular
- CS are done transverse in line with muscle fibres
- easier healing and easier to heal
How much does uterine blood flow increase by?
10 fold
Define uterine vascular remodelling:
Changing of uterine blood vessels during pregnancy
What happens to the spiral arteries during pregnancy?
-Trophoblasts cause spiral arteries to dilate 5-10x and lose muscle
— creates pool of o2 maternal blood in intervillous space
Changes to the uterus post- birth:
-involution
- returns to being a pelvic organ
- should return to anteflexion and anteversion
Ischaemia:
Retraction of uterine muscles to constrict blood vessels after expulsion of the placenta to restrict blood loss
Autolysis:
Removal of left over actin and myosin fibres by enzymes and macrophages
Phagocytosis:
Removal of excess fibrous and elastic tissue
Some elastic tissue remains so uterus never returns to pre-pregnancy state
What happens to the Decidua post birth?
Shed as lochia
-rubra (bright red 1-3)
- serosa (darker red 4-10)
-alba (light pink to clear 11-21)
What happens to the cervix during pregnancy?
Changes from closed and hard to soft, distensible, stretchy
All under hormonal control
Softening of the cervix:
-occurs soon after fertilisation
-collage fibres are disrupted
- cervical oedema
- increased vascularity causes blueish tint
Ripening of the cervix:
Weeks before onset of Labour
Cervix loses its structure and becomes soft and thin
Effacement and dilation of the cervix:
Muscle fibres pulled up to become part of lower uterine segment, decreasing length of cervix (effacement)
External os begin to open (dilation)
Operculum:
Columnar epithelial cells that proliferate and secrete mucus, acting as a plug
Function of the operculum:
- protective seal against pathogens
- antibacterial properties
Bishops score:
Scoring to predict likelihood of spontaneous Labour by look at cervical positioning and consistency, effacement and dilation
What happens to the vagina during pregnancy?
- epithilial mucosa thickens
-connective tissue loosens - hypertrophic of smooth muscle cells
Leucorrhea:
Thick, white cervical discharge
Increased during pregnancy
Why does the vaginal pH remain low during pregnancy?
Inhibits the growth of infection
What happens to the vulva during pregnancy?
Increased vascularity and blood flow to the muscles of the perineum and vulva
