Female Reproductive Organs

Question 1

What are the gonadal organs in females?

Answer 1

Ovaries.

Question 2

Situation of Ovaries

Answer 2

Lie in the ovarian fossa on the lateral pelvic wall
The ovarian fossa is bound by :
Ant: Obliterated umbilical artery
Post: Ureter and Internal Iliac artery

Question 3

Positioning of Ovaries

Answer 3

Position is variable
Nulliparous women - Vertical with an upper pole and lower pole
Multiparous women - It is horizontally oriented with the upper pole placed laterally

Question 4

External Features of Ovaries

Answer 4

Pre puberty - Smooth and greyish pink
Post Puberty - rough and colour changes from pink to grey

2 Poles - Upper Pole(Tubal) and Lower Pole(Uterine)
2 Borders - Anterior (Mesovarium border) and Posterior (Free border)
2 surfaces - Lateral and Medial

Question 5

Peritoneal Relations of Ovary

Answer 5

Almost completely covered by peritoneum except for the anterior border where the 2 layers of peritoneum is reflected into the posterior layer of the broad ligament to form a short fold called the Mesovarium. (squamous layer of mesovarium is continuous with the cuboidal epithelium of the ovary) (Mesovarium transmits the vessels and nerves to and fro the ovary)

The lateral part of the broad ligament extending from the upper pole of the ovary and the infundibulum of the uterine tubes to the external iliac is known as the suspensory ligament of ovary or infundibulopelvic ligament. Contains Ovarian vessels and nerves

Question 6

Visceral Relations of Ovary

Answer 6

Upper/Tubal Pole - Broader than lower pole and related to the uterine tube and external iliac VEIN. Right ovary MAY be related to the appendix if the appendix is pelvic in position
Ovarian fimbria and the suspensory ligament of ovary is attached to this pole

Lower/Uterine Pole - Narrower than the upper pole and related to the pelvic floor. Connected by ligament of ovary to the lateral angle of the uterus (Posteroinferior to the attachment of uterine tube ) The ligament lies between the two layers of broad ligament and contains some smooth muscle fibers

Anterior/Mesovarium Border - straight and related to obliterated umbilical artery and the uterine tube. Forms hilus of ovary and is attached to the back of broad ligament by the mesovarium

Posterior/Free border - Convex and related to the uterine tube and the ureter

Lateral Surface - Related to ovarian fossa which is lined by parietal peritoneum. The peritoneum separates it from the obturator vessels and nerve

Medial Surface - Largely covered by uterine tube. The uterine recess between the mesosalphinx and medial surface of ovary is known as ovarian bursa

Question 7

Arterial Supply of ovary

Answer 7

Ovarian Artery - Branch of abdominal aorta arising just below the renal arteries. It descends along the posterior abdominal wall and enters the suspensory ligament of ovary. It sends branches to the ovary through the mesovarium and continues medially thought the broad ligament to the uterus to anastomose with the uterine artery. (also supplied, uterine tube, sides of uterus and ureter)
Uterine Artery - Ovarian branches are given out by the uterine artery which reach the ovary though the mesovarium