Female reproductive system Flashcards
What are the functions of the female reproductive system?
- Production of gametes (ova)
- production of male gametes (spermatozoa)
- nurture embryo/foetus
- childbirth
- lactation
What are the internal structures of the female reproductive system?
- 2 ovaries
- 2 Fallopian tube
- Uterus and cervix
- Vagina
What are the external genitalia of the female reproductive system?
- Mons pubis
- Labia majora
- Labia minora
- Clitoris
- Urethral meatus
- Vaginal orifice
- Perineum
What is the mons pubis?
Tissue mound made up of fat under the skin, located directly anterior to the pubic bones.
What is the labia majora?
Two fatty folds of tissue extending from mons pubis in which round ligaments terminate (outer surface covered by pubic hair. It encloses and protects the vagina and urethra.
What is the labia minora?
2 smaller longitudinal folds of very vascular tissue. Encloses the clitoris.
What is the urethral meatus?
The opening of the female urethra
What is the vaginal orifice?
Opening into the vagina
What is the perineum?
Protects the pelvic floor muscles and blood vessels.
Describe the uterus
- Hollow, muscular pear shaped organ
- Non pregnant uterus weighs about 50g
- Has 3 parts
- Fundus
- Body
- Cervix - Has 3 layers
- Inner - endometrium
- Middle - myometrium
- Outer - perimetric
The uterus can be anteverted, which means learning forward and is the normal way. Or your uterus can be anteflexion which means it bends forward upon itself.
The uterus lies in the pelvic cavity (the pelvic cavity sits below the abdominal cavity) between the bladder and the rectum.
Describe the perimetetrium
This is the outer layer that drapes the uterus anteriorly to form a fold between the uterus and the bladder and over the Fallopian tubes.
It forms the broad ligament and maintains the anatomical position of the uterus.
Describe the myometrium
This is made up of muscle fibres and makes up 7/8 thickness of the uterine wall.
During pregnancy it becomes thicker and more defined.
What are the muscle fibres like in the uterus?
- Inner circular - cornea and cervix
- Oblique/spiral - body of the uterus
- Longitudinal - from cervix up, over, posteriorly to cervix.
Describe the endometrium
This is the inner layer of the uterus.
The cells are ciliated and entire cell layer undergoes considerable changes during the menstrual cycle.
Superficial and middle decimal layers are shed during menstruation.
Vascular connective tissue called storm secrete alkaline mucus into uterine cavity.
What does superficial mean?
Nearer the surface
What are the middle decidual layers?
Part that undergoes modifications in prep for and during pregnancy
What is the uterine cavity?
Inside of the uterus
What happens to the endometrial layers?
The basal layer remains constant, the functional layer is the superficial and decimal layer. Functional in that it thickens to receive the fertilised egg.
Describe the cervix
This is the neck of the uterus at the top of the vagina
It is approximately 2.5 cm long
Isthmus is a distinctive layer of tissue that forms the lower uterine segment in pregnancy. The lower uterine segment is the part that undergoes the most dilation during labour.
It is composed of dense collagen circular fibres
Internal and external os
The internal os opens into the uterus, whereas external os is at the bottom of the cervix.
Inner tissue lies in folds that appear branched, this allows dilation during delivery.
It has an important role at protecting the uterus from infections.
Describe the ovaries
- Dull, white, almond shaped, aprox 4cm long.
- Lie posterior and laterally to the body of the uterus and below the uterine tubes.
- Anchored by ovarian ligaments and attached to posterior layer of broad ligaments.
- Well supplied by blood to maintain fertility.
- Composed of outer cortex and inner medulla.
- Cortex contains developing follicles that contain the primary oocytes and produces oestrogen and progesterone.
- Medulla contains connective tissue and blood supply to produce precursors to facilitate steroid production in the cortex.
- Ovaries contained within a sheath of connective tissue called Tunica Albuginea.
What does posterior mean?
Near the rear end
What does laterally mean?
Sideways
What are broad ligaments?
Attaches uterus, Fallopian tubes and ovaries to the pelvis.
What are precursors?
A substance from which another is formed.
What is the function of the ovaries?
Produce fertilisable oocytes and to secrete hormones which prepare the reproductive tract for fertilisation and support pregnancy.
Describe the structure of the fallopian tubes
- Approx 12 cm long
- Walls lined with ciliated epithelial and secretory cells.
- Not fixed to ovaries but lie in close proximity.
- End has fimbriae surround opening into the tube.
What is the function of the Fallopian tubes?
- Assist the entry of ovum into the uterine tube.
- Cilia facilitate the movement of the ovum down the uterine tube - coordinated by peristaltic contractions of smooth muscle.
- Fertilisation usually occurs at the distal end of the Fallopian tube (ampulla) where it is slightly wider.
What does peristaltic mean?
Down a tube
What is the distal end?
Further end
Describe the vagina
- Fibromuscular tube connecting valve to uterus
- Lining of stratified squamous epithelium
- Runs upwards and backwards - 45 degree angle
- Posterior wall longer than anterior
- Inner lining forms ridges - rugae
- Lining of stratified squamous epithelium
- Kept moist by cervical secretions
- Slightly acidic (lactobacillus acidophilus)
Functions of the vagina
- Passage of menstrual fluid
- Sexual intercourse
- Exit for foetus
Blood supply to reproductive organs
- Blood supply from left and right uterine arteries
- Robust blood supply maintained
- Significantly increased during pregnancy
