Female Reproductive Anatomy Flashcards
development of female reproductive anatomy
*Mullerian ducts fuse to form uterus & top of vagina
note - urinary, reproductive, and GI tracts develop in close proximity; often pathophysiology in one organ produces symptoms in neighboring organs
female external genitalia: perineum
*rich in vascularity
*no valves in vulvar veins
*clinical implications:
-rapid healing
-common hematomas related to birth trauma
-infection is rare
female external genitalia: vulva
*boundaries extend from:
-mons pubis anteriorly to rectum posteriorly
-one lateral genitocrural fold to the other
female external genitalia: clitoris
*a homologue of the dorsal part of the penis
*consists of 2 erectile corpora cavernoa that end in the glans
*surrounded by a prepuce (extension of labia minora) and covered by stratified squamous epithelium
female external genitalia: vestibule
*contains the vaginal and urethral openings
*covered by stratified squamous epithelium
*includes 2 types of glands:
1. Bartholin’s glands
2. vestibular glands
female external genitalia: labia majora
*made of adipose and fibrous tissue
*hair follicles and sebaceous glands cover
*have to treat as deep as 3mm for VIN in this area, due to deep hair follicles
female external genitalia: labia minora
*made of dense connective tissue, erectile tissue, and elastic fibers (no adipose tissue)
female external genitalia: hymen
*thin and typically perforated layer at entrance to vagina
*fibrous tissue with few small blood vessels
*small tags are remnants of hymen in adult/sexually active females
note - imperforate hymen = defect in vaginal canalization
female external genitalia: urethra
*extends from bladder to vestibule
*composed of stratified transitional epithelium proximally and stratified squamous epithelium distally
female external genitalia: lesser vestibular glands
*aka Skene glands
*open into distal urethra
*homologous to prostate in males
*smaller and more numerous mucous glands
female external genitalia: Bartholin Glands
*aka greater vestibular glands
*two tubuloalveolar mucous glands at 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock at vaginal orifice
*about the size of a pea
*homologous to Cowper glands in male
*most common large cyst of the vulva arises from this structure
female external genitalia: vestibular bulbs
*erectile tissue on either side of vaginal orifice
*homologous to bulb of the penis
female external genitalia: pelvic floor
*the levator ani is a collection of 3 muscles:
1. puborectalis
2. pubococcygeus
3. iliococcygeus
*physiologically, normal levator ani muscles are in a constant state of contraction
*with increases in intra-abdominal pressure, the levator ani contract more to support the pelvic viscera
*if they are not strong enough, the anatomic position of the urethra, vagina, and rectum are not maintained
female internal genitalia: vagina
*a muscular tube from vestibule to cervix of uterus
*goes posteriorly with the uterus laying almost horizontally and at least 90 degrees between uterus and vagina
female internal genitalia: vaginal arteries
*mostly symmetrical, coming in laterally and anastomosing in the center
*anterior divisions of the interior iliac arteries supply most of the blood to the uterus, cervix, and vagina
*vaginal artery is usually a branch of the uterine artery
female internal genitalia: lymphatic drainage of vagina
*drains to the internal iliac and superficial inguinal nodes
vagina - pH and lubrication
low pH** due to bacterial metabolism of glycogen in sloughed cells from walls, resulting in lactic acid accumulation
**lubrication: transudate from increased vascular flow of Bartholin’s glands, cervical glands during intercourse
vaginal support
*vagina does not have any intrinsic support; reliant on ligaments, organs, and muscles to hold it in place
*level 1: uterosacral ligaments to pelvic walls
*level 2: fascial support
*level 3: urethra, levator ani muscles, and perineal body