Female reproduction system - anatomy Flashcards
What is external genitalia known as?
The vulva
What are the internal reproductive organs called?
Vagina, uterus, 2 uterine tubes, 2 ovaries
What is the mons pubis/veneris?
Rounded pad of fat lying anterior to the symphysis pubis
What is the Labia majora?
Two folds of fat and areolar tissue, covered with skin and pubic hair on the outer surface and have a smooth inner surface
What is the labia minora?
2 small subcutaneous folds that lie between the labia majora
What is the prepuce?
A retractable piece of skin, formed by the labia minora, which surrounds and protects the clitoris
What is the vestibule?
The area enclosed by the labia minora in which the openings of the urethra and the vagina are situated
What is the urethral orifice?
Immediately in front of the vaginal orifice, on either side lie the openings of the Skene’s ducts
What are Skene’s ducts?
2 small blind-ended tubules 0.5cm long running within the urethral wall
What is the vaginal orifice?
Introitus of the vagina, the orifice is partially closed by the hymen
What is the hymen?
A thin membrane that tears before or during penetrative sexual intercourse
What are the greater vestibular glands?
2 small glands that open on either side of the vaginal orifice, they secrete mucus which lubricates the vaginal opening
Is the clitoris external or internal?
The majority of the clitoral tissue is internal but some is external
What is the external part of the clitoris?
Clitoral glans, densely filled with nerve ending
What is the internal part of the clitoris?
Extremely vascular erectile tissue
What is the vagina?
A canal from vestibule to the cervix, passing upwards and backwards into the pelvis along the line of the pelvic brim
What are the functions of the vagina?
Passage and escape of menstrual flow
Receives the penis and ejaculate during intercourse
Provides exit of foetus during birth
What is the location of the vagina?
Bladder is anterior
Rectum is posterior
Uterus is superior
External genitalia is inferior
What is the structure of the vagina?
The posterior wall is 10cm long
The anterior wall is 7.5cm long because cervix projects at right angles into upper part
Upper end is the vault
What are the fornices in the vault?
Cervix projects into the vault forming fornices
Posterior fornix - largest because vagina is attached to uterus at a higher level behind
Lateral fornices - lie either side
Anterior fornix - in front of the cervix
What are the 3 layers of the vagina?
Lining, muscle layer and pelvic fascia
What is the lining of the vagina?
Squamous epithelium, arranged in rugae
Kept moist by cervical secretions pH 4.9-3.5 (acidic due to presence of Doderlein’s bacilli
How is the muscle layer of the vagina arranged?
Weaker inner circular fibres and stronger outer longitudinal fibres