Female repro anatomy Flashcards
What are the internal and external genital organs?
Internal: gonads, uterine tube, uterus, vagina, vestibule
External: vulva, clitoris
Label this ovary
What is different about equine ovarian morphology?
Ovarian fossa with germinal epithelium is the only location of cortex
Vascular zone (normal medulla) is peripheral
What are the 4 layers of the oviduct/uterine tube?
Serosa
Muscularis (circular and longitudinal layers)
Submucosa
Mucosa
Label the oviduct
What are the 3 regions of the oviduct?
Infundibulum - covered with fimbriae to capture oocyte
Ampulla - ciliated, help oocyte migrate
Isthmus - next to uterus
Label the regions of the oviduct
What is the function of the uterine tube/oviduct?
Describe the structure of the uterus
How is the uterus formed?
fusion of the paramesonephric ducts
What are the functions of the uterus?
What are the different types of uterus and which species are they found in?
Duplex - 2 cervical canals, separate uterine horns (marsupials, rabbits)
Bicornuate - 2 uterine horns, small uterine body (mare, cow, bitch, queen, sow)
Simplex - single uterine body (primates)
What is the specific uterine morphology of cows?
Bicornuate
Curved uterine horns
Short uterine body
What is the specific uterine morphology of pigs?
bicornuate
long horns coiled in caudal direction
small uterine body
Describe the specific uterine morphology of mares
Bicornuate
Ovaries are sub-lumber and dorsal in position
Straight horns
Long body
Describe the specific uterine morphology of dogs
Bicornuate
Sub-lumbar ovaries but short mesovarium so position is dorsal
Straight horns
short body
Describe the microstructure and function of the uterine tissue
Endometrium:
- Endometrial gland secretion (histotroph) into lumen - stimuated by progesterone
Myometrium:
- muscular layers involved in parturition and gamete transport
Label the microstructure of the uterine tissue
What is the role of the endometrium in pregnancy?
What is the anatomy and function of the cervix?
Columnar, ciliated epithelium
Cervical rings/folds
Narrowed end of uterine body
Barrier for uterus
Produces mucous during oestrus
What is the function of the mucous secretions of the cervix during oestrus?
What are the species differences in cervical rings/folds?
What changes in the mucous secretion of the cervix during pregnancy?
more viscous and glues folds together (Cervical seal of pregnancy) due to prolonged progesterone
What are the subdivisions of the vagina?
Cranial vagina - closest to cervix
Caudal vagina - between cranial vagina and urethral orifice
Vestibule - between urethral orifice and vulva
What is the cervical os?
Where the cervix protrudes into the vagina (important in catheterisation)
What is the fornix vagina?
invagination where cervix and vagina meet
Functions of the vagina/vestibule
copulation
parturition
micturition
What is the embryological origin of the vagina?
paramesonephric ducts
What is the embryological origin of the vestibule?
formed from urogenital sinus
What is the hymen?
Effective seal formed from the vestibulo-vaginal junction
Describe the anatomy of the vulva
2 labia with dorsal and ventral commissure
Houses clitoris under a
transverse frenulum
Clitoral fossa surrounds clitoris
What is the clinical relevance of the clitoris?
Can indicate when a mare is in oestrus (will avert clitoris)
Site where multiple bacteria can be housed - used for swabbing
What is the function of the broad ligament?
Describe the components of the broad ligament
What is the function of the suspensory ligament?
tethers ovary to dorsal abdominal cavity
What is the function of the round ligament?
goes from tip of uterine horn, through inguinal canal, tho vulva
prevents uterus from inverting
What is the function of the proper ligament
Connects ovary to uterine horn
What are the supporting ligaments of the female reproductive tract?
Broad
Round
Suspensory
Proper
Describe the utero-ovarian counter-current transport system
PGF2a secreted from endometrium
Passes into ovarian vein
PGF2a diffuses from ovarian vein to ovarian artery (facilitated by intertwining of BVs)
High conc of PGF2a delivered to ovary
Describe the innervation of the female reproductive tract
ANS
Ovaries - sympathetic from mesenteric plexus
Uterus, cervix, vagina - parasympathetic and sympathetic from pelvic plexus
Label the female reproductive tract
