Female Reproductive System

Question 1

Vulva

Answer 1

External female genitalia

Lymphatics:
-Superficial inguinal lymph node

Question 2

Mons pubis

Answer 2

-Fatty, hair-bearing tissue situated anteriorly to pubic symphysis

Question 3

Labia Majora (singular: Labium Majus)

Answer 3

• Hair bearing external skin folds
• Fuse anteriorly at anterior commissure
• Fuse posteriorly at posterior commissure
• Pudendal cleft (space between)

Question 4

Labia Minora (singular: Labium Minus)

Answer 4

• Hairless folds of skin, situated medial to labia major
• Fuse anteriorly as clitoral hood
• Fuse posteriorly at fourchette
• Vestibule (space between) contains:
  1) External urethral orifice
  2) Vaginal orifice
  3) Opening of Skene’s gland ducts (lesser vestibular) - lateral to external urethral orifice
  4) Opening of Bartholin’s gland ducts (greater vestibular) - lateral to vaginal orifice

Question 5

Clitoris

Answer 5

• Lies underneath the clitoral hood
• Divided into: prepuce, glans and frenulum
• Formed by erectile corpora cavernosa tissue and engorges with blood during sexual arousal

Question 6

Bartholin’s gland (greater vestibular)

Answer 6

-Secrete lubricating mucous from small ducts during sexual arousal

Question 7

Perineal raphe

Answer 7

-Bridge of skin between anus and vagina

Question 8

Uterus

Answer 8

Functions:

1) Site of implantation into intrauterine cavity
2) Protect and support foetus
3) Site for menstruation

• Intraperitoneal structure
• Subdivisions:
  1) Corpus uteri
  2) Cervix

Layers:

1) Endometrium (inner) – lining shed every month if not pregnant (menstruation)
2) Myometrium (middle) – muscular layer that contracts during labour to expel foetus
3) Perimetrium (outer)

-Usually anterverted and anteflexed

Question 9

Version

Answer 9

Angle uterus makes with the vagina

Question 10

Flexion

Answer 10

Angle uterus makes with the cervix

Question 11

Vasculature of uterus

Answer 11

Arterial:
1) Uterine artery (branch of internal iliac artery)

Venous:
1) Uterine vein (plexus in broad ligament)

Question 12

Broad ligament

Answer 12

-Double fold of peritoneum that extends from lateral pelvic wall on both sides

Divided into:

1) Meso-ovarium (does not cover ovary)
2) Mesosalpinx (covers uterine tubes)
3) Mesometrium (covers uterus)

Question 13

Round ligament

Answer 13

• Extend from fundus of uterus to labia majora, by transversing the inguinal canal
• Maintains uterus in anterverted position

Question 14

Cardinal ligament (aka Mackenrodt’s ligament)

Answer 14

• Extend from lateral border of cervix to lateral pelvic walls
• Contains uterine artery and vein

Question 15

Uterosacral ligament

Answer 15

-Extends from sacrum to cervix

Question 16

Ovarian ligament

Answer 16

• Attaches ovary to the uterus (just inferior to opening of uterine tube to uterus)
• Continuous with round ligament

Question 17

Suspensory ligament

Answer 17

• Extends from meso-ovarium to pelvic wall
• Contains:
  1) Ovarian artery
  2) Ovarian vein
  3) Ovarian nerve plexus
  4) Lymphatic vessels

Question 18

Hysterectomy

Answer 18

• Removal of uterus (usually due to cervix or uterine cancer)
• Uterine artery crosses over ureter (1cm lateral to internal os) –> may cause damage to ureter

Question 19

Uterine tube

Answer 19

• Divided into:
  1) Isthmus
  2) Ampulla (site of fertilisation and commonest site of ectopic implantation)
  3) Infundibulum
  4) Fimbriae (finger-like projections that receive occytes from ovary)

Vasculature
Arterial:
1) Uterine artery
2) Ovarian artery

Venous:

1) Uterine vein
2) Ovarian vein

Question 20

Ovaries

Answer 20

• Intraperitoneal structures (initally retroperitoneal)
• 500 oocytes released in a woman’s lifetime
• Functions:
  1) Production of oocytes
  2) Release sex hormones; Oestrogen and Progesterone (in response to LH/FSH release from anterior pituitary gland)

Vasculature:
Arterial:
1) Ovarian artery

Venous:
1) Ovarian vein
Right ovarian vein drain directly into IVC
Left ovarian vein drain to left renal vein

Lymphatics:
-Para-aortic node

Question 21

Vagina

Answer 21

• 12cm long
• 60 degrees to horizontal
• Fibromuscular tube capable of expansion (passageway for foetus expulsion)

Question 22

Vaginal fornices

Answer 22

-Anterior and posterior vaginal fornices

Posterior vaginal fornix (located next to rectouterine pouch) uses:

1) Needle can be passed to drain any accumulation of fluid
2) Collection of oocytes for assisted reproduction
3) Natural reservoir of semen

Question 23

Female Pouches

Answer 23

1) Uterovesical pouch

2) Rectouterine pouch