Female Reproductive Organs Flashcards
Identify the main female reproductive organs.
Uterus Ovary Uterine tubes Vulva Vagina
State the main functions of the uterus.
- Implantation
- Development and nourishment of fetus
- Childbirth
Identify the main functions of the uterine tube.
- Transport of oocyte
* Site of fertilization
Identify the main functions of the ovaries.
- Production of ovum
* Maintenance of menstrual cycle
Identify the main functions of the vagina.
- Birth canal
* Sexual intercourse
Describe the shape and dimensions of the ovary.
Almond-shaped, 3x1.5x1 cm
Describe the surface of the ovary.
Smooth surface in young girls but scarred and pitted after puberty
What is another name for ovary.
OOPHORON
Describe the location of the ovaries.
(Extremely variable in its position but)
- Located in ovarian fossa
- True intraperitoneal
- Attached to the back of the broad ligament by the mesovarium, supported by the ovarian ligament and suspensory ligaments
Identify the main boundaries of the ovarian fossa.
superiorly: by the external iliac artery
posteriorly: by the ureter, internal iliac artery
inferiorly: by the obturator nerve
anteriorly: by the obliterated umbilical a.
Identify the main relations of the ovary.
The ureter lies posteriorly
The obturator nerve lies laterally
What is the clinical significance of the proximity of the ureter and ovary ?
Ureter is at risk during surgical procedures of the ovary
What is the clinical significance of the proximity of the obturator nerve and ovary ?
Ovarian disease may cause referred pain to the medial thigh
Identify peritoneal and ligamentous supports of the ovaries.
1) Round ligament of ovary, Ovarian ligament
− The remnant of the upper part of gubernaculum
− Extends between cornu of the uterus and ovary
2) Suspensory (Infundibulopelvic) ligament of ovary
− In the broad ligament
− Carries the ovarian blood vessels
3) Mesovarium
− Short peritoneal fold that attaches the ovary to
the back of the broad ligament
Identify other names of the Fallopian tube.
UTERINE TUBE (OVIDUCT, SALPINX)
Describe the anatomical location of the uterine tube.
In the free superior border of the broad ligament
Identify the main structural features of the uterine tube.
- Made up of infundibulum + Ampulla + Isthmus (from ovary to uterus) + intramural part (at the top of the uterus)
- Ostium of uterine tube in infundibulum is surrounded by fimbriae which pick up the ovum (has circular and longitudinal smooth muscle fibres on wall and cilia inside)
Describe the anatomical location of the uterus.
Central pelvic organ (in true pelvis); anterior to the rectum and posterosuperior to the urinary bladder
Identify the main parts of the uterus.
From superior to inferior 1) Body − Fundus part of the body superior to the cornual of the uterus) − Body 2) Isthmus (defined by internal os, transition between body and cervix) − Internal os 3) Cervix − Supravaginal − Vaginal
Also:
-Uterine cavity (triangular, where corners
correspond to openings of uterine tubes)
Identify the main parts of the cervix.
♦ Cervical canal (supravaginal cervix), two opening:
- Internal os (orifice)
- External os
♦ Ectocervix (vaginal cervix)
♦ Cervical transformation zone
What epithelium makes up the cervix ?
Cervical canal
− Columnar epithelium
Ectocervix
− non-keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium, which contains glycogen
Cervical transformation zone
− Squamous metaplasia
Identify the layers making up the wall of the uterus.
1) Perimetrium (Outermost)
2) Myometrium (Middle layer)
3) Endometrium (Innermost)
What is the perimetrium layer of the uterus made up of ?
Thin visceral peritoneum
What is the myometrium layer of the uterus made up of ?
Smooth muscle fibres arranged in 3 layers
− Longitudinal
− Spiral (Figure of 8 around vessels)
− Circular → Sphincter
What is the endometrium layer of the uterus made up of ?
Mucous membrane and spiral arteries
− Basal layer (regenerates the functional layer)
− Functional layer (shed as menses)
Describe the angle orientation of the uterus.
The adult uterus is bent forward on itself at about the level of the internal os to form an angle of 170° (AKA anteflexion of the uterus)
The axis of the cervix forms an angle of 90° with the axis of the vagina (AKA antevertion of the uterus)
Identify possible abnormalities in the angle orientation of the uterus.
Retroversion and/or retroflexion may cause backache and difficulty in conception.
Identify the main ligaments of the uterus.
Ligamentum teres (AKA round ligament of the uterus, AKA ligamentum rotundum)
Broad ligament
What is the embryological origin of the ligamentum teres ?
Remnant of the lower part of gubernaculum
Describe the anatomical path of the ligamentum teres.
1) Passes within the broad ligament from the horns of the uterus through the inguinal canal to the labia majora
2) Together with the broad ligament, round ligament of the uterus holds the uterus anteverted and anteflexed over the bladder
What are the main components of the broad ligament of the uterus ? Describe its anatomical path.
Broad ligament formed by 2 layers of peritoneum. The peritoneum drapes over the bladder and then the uterus, uterine tube and ovarian ligaments to form the broad ligament from the uterus to the lateral pelvic wall.
Identify the structures contained in the broad ligament of the uterus.
- Ovarian ligament
- Uterine tubes
- Uterus
- Round ligament of uterus
- Ureter
- Vessels and nerves of the ovaries and uterus
What are the main parts of the broad ligament of the uterus ?
- Mesosalpinx: Part of the broad ligament surrounding the uterine tube
- Mesovarium: Part of the broad ligament suspending the ovaries
- Mesometrium: Part of the broad ligament adjacent to the uterus
Identify the main supportive structures of the uterus.
Supported by muscles of the pelvic floor (esp. levator ani) and ligaments.
The visceral and parietal fasciae meet and fuse as the organs pierce the pelvic floor forming the tendinous arch of pelvic fascia adjacent to the organs and running from pubis to sacrum