Female repro anatomy

Question 1

Give examples of internal and external female genital organs

Answer 1

Internal: gonads, uterus, vagina, vestibule
External: vulva, clitoris, urethra

Question 2

In which bit of the ovary do the follicles develop?

Answer 2

The cortex

Question 3

Describe the equine ovary

Answer 3

• Very large
• Ovarian fossa with germinal epithelium (this is the only area with cortex)
• The medulla is peripheral in the equine ovary
• The follicles develop in the middle of the ovary

Question 4

Describe the layers of the female reproductive tract tubes

Answer 4

• Serosa (outermost)
• Muscularis (circular is innermost)
• Submucosa
• Mucosa (innermost)

Question 5

What are the 3 regions of the oviduct?

Answer 5

• The infundibulum
• Ampulla
• Isthmus

Question 6

What is the significance of the ampulla-isthmus junction in the mare?

Answer 6

Acts as a checkpoint- only fertilised eggs can pass this point

Question 7

What epithelium is found in the oviduct?

Answer 7

A mixture of ciliated and non ciliated simple columnar epithelium

Question 8

What is the function of the uterine tube?

Answer 8

• Sperm transport/ storage
• ‘Catching’ the oocyte (infundibulum)
• Oocyte transport
• Environment for fertilisation (ampulla)
• Gamete transport

Question 9

What is the function of the uterus?

Answer 9

• Produces prostaglandin to control cyclical activity
• Sperm transport/ storage
• Contribution to the placenta
• Parturition

Question 10

What forms the trigone of the bladder?

Answer 10

Fusion of the paramesonephric ducts

Question 11

Explain the different types of uteri

Answer 11

Duplex= 2 cervical canals, spate uterine horns
Bicornuate= 2 uterine horns, small uterine body
Simplex= single uterine body

Question 12

Where can you find spiral glands and what is their role?

Answer 12

• In the mucosa/ submucosa of the uterus
• They secrete mucus into the lumen under the influence of oestrogen, they secrete even more under influence of progesterone.
• The glands wax/ wane under influence of hormones

Question 13

Are caruncles the maternal of fetal side of the placenta?

Answer 13

Maternal

Question 14

What is the function of the cervix?

Answer 14

• Narrowed end of uterine body
• Produces mucus during oestrus (especially cow and ewe) which acts as lubricant for mating
• Is a barrier to sperm transport in: cow/ ewe/ woman
• Aids sperm transport in: mare/ sow/ bitch

Question 15

What is the epithelium of the cervix?

Answer 15

Columnar epithelium- some is ciliated

Contains crypts/ glands in most species

Question 16

Which species have a single cervical ring/fold?

Answer 16

Bitch and queen

Question 17

Describe the cow cervix

Answer 17

Multiple ring with interlocking folds

Question 18

During pregnancy what does progesterone do to the cervical folds?

Answer 18

Progesterone makes the mucous more viscous and temporarily glues the folds together creating a seal

Question 19

What is the fornix vagina and in what species is it present?

Answer 19

It is when the cervix protrudes into the cranial vagina forming a pocket. Present in cows, mares and bitches.

Question 20

Describe the effect of oestrogen on the caudal vagina

Answer 20

When oestrogen is dominant the squamous epithelium dominates- this protects the vagina during copulation and blocks microorganisms

Question 21

During embryological development which part forms the vagina?

Answer 21

The paramesonephric ducts

Question 22

In which species is the sub urethral diverticulum present?

Answer 22

The cow and sow

Question 23

Describe the 3 components of the vulva

Answer 23

-Labia
-Dorsal commissure
-Ventral commissure
(the commisures are where the 2 labia meet: the ventral houses the clitoris)

Question 24

Describe the supporting ligaments of the repro tract in females

Answer 24

• Double layer of peritoneum surrounds the uterine horns and becomes the BROAD LIGAMENT
• The ROUND LIGAMENT runs from the uterus to the abdominal wall
• The SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT runs between the ovaries and the abdominal wall

Question 25

Explain the function/ structure of the broad ligament

Answer 25

• Supports/ suspends ovaries/ oviduct/ uterus/ cervix
• Contains blood vessels/ lymphatic vessels
• The mesovarium= houses blood/ lymphatic vessels
• Mesoalpinx= supports oviducts and serves as bursa like pouch surrounding ovary
• Mesometrium= supports uterine horns and body of uterus

Question 26

Describe species differences of the mesoalpinx

Answer 26

• in the bitch it can form a complete sac (bursa) around the ovary
• in the mare it is very small

Question 27

From what main artery does the ovarian artery branch off?

Answer 27

The aorta

Question 28

What is meant by the -utero-ovarian counter current transport system?

Answer 28

In some species e.g. the cow, the ovarian vein and ovarian arteries intertwine: this allows prostaglanding (PGF2a) to move from the ovarian vein to th ovarian artery and hence the ovary.
(remember PGF2a is produced in the endometrium of the uterus- hence it can move from the uterus to the ovary. High conc of PGF2a= luteolysis)

Question 29

From which artery does most of the vascular supply for the reproductive tract originate from?

Answer 29

The internal iliac artery (more caudal areas of repro tract and supplied by internal pudendal and vaginal arteries)

Question 30

In which species is the uterine artery not present?

Answer 30

The bitch

Question 31

Describe the innervation of the reproductive tract in females

Answer 31

• ANS
• Ovaries: sympathetic via mesenteric plexus
• Uterus/ cervix/ vagina: parasympathetic and sympathetic from pelvic plexus