Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Vulva
External female genitalia
Lymphatics:
-Superficial inguinal lymph node
Mons pubis
-Fatty, hair-bearing tissue situated anteriorly to pubic symphysis
Labia Majora (singular: Labium Majus)
- Hair bearing external skin folds
- Fuse anteriorly at anterior commissure
- Fuse posteriorly at posterior commissure
- Pudendal cleft (space between)
Labia Minora (singular: Labium Minus)
- 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
Clitoris
- Lies underneath the clitoral hood
- Divided into: prepuce, glans and frenulum
- Formed by erectile corpora cavernosa tissue and engorges with blood during sexual arousal
Bartholin’s gland (greater vestibular)
-Secrete lubricating mucous from small ducts during sexual arousal
Perineal raphe
-Bridge of skin between anus and vagina
Uterus
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
Version
Angle uterus makes with the vagina
Flexion
Angle uterus makes with the cervix
Vasculature of uterus
Arterial:
1) Uterine artery (branch of internal iliac artery)
Venous:
1) Uterine vein (plexus in broad ligament)
Broad ligament
-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)
Round ligament
- Extend from fundus of uterus to labia majora, by transversing the inguinal canal
- Maintains uterus in anterverted position
Cardinal ligament (aka Mackenrodt’s ligament)
- Extend from lateral border of cervix to lateral pelvic walls
- Contains uterine artery and vein
Uterosacral ligament
-Extends from sacrum to cervix
Ovarian ligament
- Attaches ovary to the uterus (just inferior to opening of uterine tube to uterus)
- Continuous with round ligament
Suspensory ligament
- Extends from meso-ovarium to pelvic wall
- Contains:
1) Ovarian artery
2) Ovarian vein
3) Ovarian nerve plexus
4) Lymphatic vessels
Hysterectomy
- 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
Uterine tube
- 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
Ovaries
- 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
Vagina
- 12cm long
- 60 degrees to horizontal
- Fibromuscular tube capable of expansion (passageway for foetus expulsion)
Vaginal fornices
-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
Female Pouches
1) Uterovesical pouch
2) Rectouterine pouch
