Female Reproductive System Flashcards
What is the abdominal-pelvic cavity?
Cavity that consists of the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity
What is the pelvic diaphragm (or pelvic floor) and its role?
Muscular partition formed by the levatores ani and coccygei
May include the parietal pelvic fascia on their upper and lower aspects
Separates the pelvic cavity above from the perineal region below
Provides support for pelvis viscera (females)
Where does the ovary develop from?
The gonadal ridge
The ovary is fully enclosed by what?
Peritoneum
Becomes breached when the follicle ruptures = pain = parietal is somatic controlled
What is an ovarian cyst?
Fluid-filled lesion
Benign or malignant
Pain = stretching of the peritoneum, rupture, torsion
Bloating
Describe the structure of the uterus
Cervix – cervical canal running through centre
Body – superior wall is called the fundus
Uterine tube – isthmus, ampulla, infundibulum, fimbria
Opening of uterine tube
What is the main part of the uterus that expands during pregnancy?
Fundus
Outline the cervix
Fibrous structure
External and internal Os
No children = small external Os
Children = slit-like external Os
What happens to the cervix under the influence of oestrogen?
It opens up
View epithelium lining cervical canal
Transitional zone = site where cervical cancer occurs (warty-like growths)
How does the uterus expand as the foetus grows?
Fundus expands
Uterus goes as high as the xiphisternum
What are some consequences mother faces due to foetal growth
Direct mechanical compression = reflux, constipation, incontinence
Hormones = relaxation of tissue = leaky sphincters
Describe the anatomy of the uterine tubes
Fimbriae = waft egg to tube
Infundibulum = big surface area to catch the egg
Ampulla = site of fertilisation, common site of ectopic preg
Isthmus = Medial 3rd of the uterine tube
If a young women presents with abdo pain what needs to take place?
Preg test = could be rupture ectopic preg
What types of cells are present in the uterine tubes?
Cilia = wafting
Peg = secreting factors for maintaining the egg
What is pneumoperitoneum?
Air within the peritoneum
Can happen during sex
Where does the peritoneum sit in regards to the uterus?
Superiorly lays on top
What is the round lig and lig of the ovary a remnant of?
Gubernaculum
What is the suspensory ligament of the ovary?
Neurovascular pathway bulging into the peritoneum
What is the role of the broad lig?
Double fold of peritoneum
Attaches the uterus to the pelvic walls
What is the role of the round ligament?
Its role is to keep the uterus anteverted
What is the ligament of the ovary?
Continuous with the round lig
How does a neurovascular structure reach the uterus?
Runs between the double fold of peritoneum
What is the Mesovarium
Double fold of peritoneum suspending the ovaries
What is the Mesometrium
Double fold of peritoneum between the lateral pelvic wall and uterus
What is the Mesosalpinx
Double fold of peritoneum hanging down from the uterine tubes
What are the 3 division of the board ligament?
Mesovarium
Mesometrium
Mesosalpinx
What is the angle of anteversion?
Angle between the cervical canal and vagina
less than 180 degree = antiverted
more than 180 degree = retroverted
What is the angle of anteflexion?
Angle between the uterus and cervix
less than 180 degree = antiflexed
more than 180 degree = retroflexed
What is the normal position of the uterus in regards to the bladder and what keeps it there?
Normal = antiverted and antiflexed
Uterus sits over the bladder
maintained by the broad ligament
Blood supply to the female reproductive organs
Ovaries = ovarian artery
Vagina = uterine and vaginal arteries
Uterus = uterine artery (commonly anastomoses with vaginal and ovarian A)
Roughly how long is the vagina?
10cm
What cells line the vagina
Stratified squamous ep
Why is the vagina full of glycogen?
Lactobacilli feed off glycogen turning it into lactic acid
Help maintain acidic pH
Outline the anatomy of the vulva (external female genitalia)
Labia majora – enclose everything, protection
Labia minora – keep everything clean, protection
Glans clitoris – has a prepuce, homologous with penis
Urethra – exit for urine
Vestibule – where the vulva meets the vagina
Hymen – partial membranous covering of the vagina
Fourchette – dense tissue at the base of the vulva, can tear during childbirth
Vestibular gland – secretes lubricating substance
Para-urethral gland – secretes lubricating substance
Outline 1st degree FGM
Removing the clitoris
Outline 2nd degree FGM
Removing clitoris
Removing labia major/minora
Outline 3rd degree FGM
Everything removed and sown up leaving a tiny opening
