Female Reproductive Anatomy And Histology Flashcards
Which organ is the female gonad?
Ovaries
Which cell is the female gamete?
Ovum
Describe the shape and size of the ovaries?
Almond shaped
3cm long in young women but smaller after menopause
Through which structure do the ovarian arteries and vein reach the ovaries?
Suspensory ligament of the ovary
Where do the ovarian veins drain to?
The IVC on the right side and the left renal vein on the left side
Where do the ovarian arteries arise?
Aorta at the level of the renal artery
Which lymph nodes do the ovaries drain to?
Aortic nodes at the level of the renal vessels
What is the name of the double sheet of peritoneum which is draped over the uterus and uterine tubes?
Broad ligament
What is the name of the fibrous cord which links the ovaries to the uterus?
Ovarian ligament
Why is it significant that the ovaries and uterine tubes are not directly connected?
This disconnection provides a direct oath for infection to reach the peritoneal cavity from the external, genitalia
What is the other name of the rectouterine pouch?
Cul de sac of douglas
Approximately hoe long are the uterine tubes?
13cm
What are the different parts of the uterine tubes?
Funnel shaped infundibulum which opens into the peritoneal cavity amd is fringed by fimbriae
The ampulla is the widest section where fertilisation occurs
The isthmus is a short narrowed section connected to the uterine wall
What is the approximate size of the uterus in the resting state?
7-8 cm long
5cm wide
2.5cm thick
Why do the external and internal os look different in women who have had children compared to those who have not?
These cervical structures dilate during childbirth
What is the name of the rounded part of the uterus which projects above the level of the uterine tubes?
Fundus
The lower part if the cervix projects into the vagina. T/F?
True
The normal uterus is anteverted and anteflexed. What does this mean?
Anteverted - the body of the uterus is bent forwards on the cervix
Anteflexion - the whole uterus is bent forward at a right angle to the vagina
Approximately what percentage of women show retroflexion and retroversion?
20%
The uterine artery is a branch of which artery?
Internal iliac artery
Which lymph nodes does the uterus drain to?
Body of uterus drains to para aortic nodes at level of renal vessels
Cervix drains to internal iliac nodes
What vessels supply the uterine tubes?
Branches of the ovarian arteries and veins
What type of epithelium exists in the vagina?
Non Keratinised stratified squamous
Approximately how long is the vagina?
7-9 cm
What is the blood supply to the vagina?
Superior vagina is supplied by uterine arteries
Inferior vagina is supplied by vaginal arteries from internal iliac artery
What is the function of the cilia of the epithelial cells of the uterine tubes?
To beat the fertilised egg to the uterus for implantation
The endometrium is divided into the stratum functionalis and stratum basalis. Which of these layers is shed during menstruation?
Stratum functionalis
What type of arteries exist in the stratum functionalis of the endometrium compared to the stratum basalis?
Functionalis -coiled arteries
Basalis - straight arteries
What type of epithelium is the endometrium lined with?
Simple columnar epithelium
It which stage of the female reproductive cycle are the uterine glands largest and most coiled?
Secretory phase
What is significant about the lamina propria of the vagina?
It contains many elastic fibres to allow for the huge distension required during childbirth
Where does the majority of the mucous in the vagina come from?
The cervix
