Female reproductive system Flashcards
What is the external genitalia called
The vulva
What are the internal reproductive organs
The vagina, the uterus, two uterine tubes and two ovaries
What are the different parts of the vulva
The mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, the prepuce, fourchette, vestibule, urethral orifice, vaginal orifice, the greater vestibular glands, clitoris
What is the mons pubis
Rounded pad of fat laying anterior to the symphysis pubis
What is the labia majora
Two folds of fat and areolar tissue covered with skin and pubic hair on the outer surface and have a smooth inner surface
What is the labia minora
Two small subcutaneous folds that lie between the labia majora, the upper layer passes above the clitoris to form the prepuce which overhangs the clitoris, the lower layer passes below the clitoris to form the frenulum of the clitoris
What is the prepuce
Retractable piece of skin formed by the labia minora which surrounds and protects the clitoris
What is the fourchette
Produced by the labia minora fusing posteriorly
What is the vestibule
The area enclosed by the labia minora in which the openings of the urethra and the vagina are situated
What is the urethral orifice
Immediately in front of the vaginal orifice, on either side lie the openings of the skene’s ducts two small blind-ended tubules 0.5 cm long running the urethral wall
What is the vaginal orifice
Partially closed by the hymen, a thin membrane that tears before or during penetrative sexual intercourse
What are the greater vestibular glands
Two small glands that open on either side of the vaginal orifice, they secrete mucus which lubricates the vaginal opening
What is the clitoris
Majority of clitoral tissue is internal, not external
External part- clitoral glans densely filled with nerve ending
Internal part- extremely vascular,erectile tissue
The erectile bodies- paired bulbs and paired corpora which are continuous with the crura
What is the blood supply
Internal and external pudendal arteries and corresponding veins
What is the lymphatic drainage
Inguinal glands
What are the nerve supply
Branches of the pudendal nerve
What is the vagina
A canal from vestibule to the cervix, passing upwards and backwards into the pelvis along the line of the pelvic brim
What is the function of the vagina
Passage and escape of menstrual flow, receives the penis and ejaculate during inter course, provides exit of emus during birth
What is the location of the vagina
Anterior- bladder
Posterior- rectum
Superior- uterus
Inferior - external genitalia
What is the structure of the vagina
Posterior wall- 10cm long
Anterior wall- 7.5 cm as cervix projects at right angles into upper part
Upper end= vault
cervix projects into the vault forming fornices
Posterior fornix- largest as vagina attached to uterus at higher level behind
Lateral fornices- lie either side
Anterior fornix- in front of the cervix
What is the lining of the vagina
Squamous epithelium, arranged in rugae, kept moist by cervical secretions pH 4.9-3.5 acidic due to presence of doderlein bacilli
What is the muscle layer of the vagina
Weaker inner circular fibres and stronger outer longitudinal fibres
What is the pelvic fascia of the vagina
Connective tissue surrounding the vagina
What is the uterus
Hollow, pear- shaped muscular organ located in the true pelvis between the bladder and the rectum, position of uterus is one of anteversion ( leans forward) and anteflexion ( bends forwards upon itself)
What is the fungus of the uterus
Domed upper wall between the insertions of the uterine tubes
What is the cornuae of the uterus
Upper outer angles of the uterus where the uterine tubes join
What is the corpus of the uterus
Makes up the upper two- thirds of the uterus
What is the cavity of the uterus
Within the body of the uterus triangular in shape
What is the isthmus of the uterus
7mm long situated at the junction of the body and cervix
What is the perimetrium layer of the uterus
Layer of peritoneum draped over the uterus and uterine tubes
What is the myometrium layer of the uterus
Inner- circular fibres around the cornua and cervix
Middle- interlacing spiral fibres
Outer- longitudinal fibres, from the cervix anteriorly over the fungus to the cervix posteriorly
What is the endometrium layer of the uterus
Functional- which thickens and is shed during menstrual cycle
Basal- which functional layer regenerates every cycle
What is the cervix
Part of the uterus
The lower part sits within the vagina and the upper part sits above the vagina
What is the cervical canal within the cervix
Is made up of columnar epithelium that secretes mucus
What is the muscle fibres if the cervix
Are embedded in collagen enabling it to stretch in labour
What is the internal os of the cervix
Narrow opening between the isthmus and cervix
What is the external os of the cervix
Small round opening at the lower end of the cervix
What is the blood supply of the uterus
Uterine and ovarian arteries- branches of internal iliac artery
Venous drainage- corresponding veins
What is the lymphatic drainage of the uterus
Lumbar and hypogastric nodes
What is the nerve supply of the uterus
11th, 12th thoracic and 1st lumbar nerve cervix by sacral nerves 2,3 and 4
What is the uterine tubes
Two tubes each leading from an ovary into the uterus
What is the function of the uterine tubes
Propels the ovum towards the uterus, receives the spermatozoa as they travel upwards and provides a site of fertilisation
What is the position of the uterine tubes
Extend laterally from the cornua of the uterus towards the side walls of the pelvis,they arch over the ovaries, the fringed ends hovering near the ovaries in order to receive the ovum, held in place by their attachment to the uterus and the peritoneum
What is the interstitial portion of the uterine tubes
Is 1.25 cm long and lies within the wall of the uterus, it’s lumen is 1 mm wide
What is the isthmus of the uterine tubes
Another narrow part that extends for 2.5 cm from the uterus
What is the ampulla of the uterine tubes
Wider portion where fertilisation usually occurs, it’s 5 cm long
What is the infundibulum of the uterine tubes
Funnel- shaped fringed end that is composed of many processes known as fimbriae, one fimbria is elongated to form the ovarian fimbria which is attached to the ovary
What is the structure of the uterine tubes
Longitudinal and circular muscle, lining of ciliated columnar epithelium, wafts ovum from infundibulum towards the uterus, contains folds or pelican, contains goblet- shaped cells which produce secretions to nourish the ova
What is the blood supply of the uterine tubes
Ovarian and uterine arteries- branches of the internal iliac artery and corresponding veins
What is the lymphatic drainage of the uterine tubes
Lumbar glands
What is the nerve supply of the uterine tubes
Ovarian plexus and the parasympathetic system
What is the function of the ovaries
Produces oocytes and the hormones, oestrogen and progesterone
What is the position of the ovaries
They are attached to the uterus by the ovarian ligaments, 3cm x 2cm x 1cm, almond shaped
What is the medulla of the ovaries
Supporting framework which is made of fibrous tissue; the ovarian blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves travel through it, the Hulu’s is where these vessels enter the ovary
What is the cortex of the ovaries
Functioning part of the ovary, it contains the ovarian follicles in different stages of development, surrounded by stroma
