Female Reproductive System Flashcards
What 3 structures constitute the birth canal?
Uterus
Cervix
Vagina
What are the three layers of the uterus?
Peritoneum
Myometrium
Endometrium
When a caesarian section is performed, which part of the uterus is opened to deliver the baby?
The uterus is opened at the lower segment with a transverse incision
What terms are used to describe the normal positioning of the uterus?
Anteflexed
Anteverted
What could happen if the uterus is very retroverted and retroflexed during early pregnancy?
Uterus prolapse into vagina
During surgical management of a miscarriage, why is it important to know whether the uterus is anteverted or retroverted?
Understanding the orientation of the uterus will minimise the risk of the uterus being damaged/perforated with any instrumentation
Between which two structures of the female reproductive system are the rectouterine and vesicouterine pouches located?
Rectouterine pouch - Rectum and Uterus
Vesicouterine pouch - Uterus and Bladder
What are the fornices of the vagina?
Superior portions of the vagina
Through which vaginal fornix can the rectouterine pouch be accessed and what is the clinical significance of this?
Posterior fornix
A dialysis catheter can be placed into the recto-uterine pouch for patients who have end-stage renal failure
How are the uterus and cervix attached to the pelvis?
By ligaments
Apart from ligaments, what else provides support to the uterus in the pelvis?
Tone of pelvic floor
What are the 4 parts of the uterine tubes?
Infundibulum
Fimbriae
Ampulla
Uterine part
Which part of the uterine tube is the longest and widest?
Ampulla
In which part of the uterine tube does fertilization occur?
Ampulla
What is meant by an ectopic pregnancy?
When the fertilised egg gets stuck in the fallopian tube and does not pass into the uterus
What is a cornual ectopic?
An ectopic which is outside of the uterine cavity in the part of the fallopian tube that penetrates the muscular layer of the uterus
What are the 2 ligaments associated with the ovaries?
Ligament of ovary
Suspensory ligament of ovary
What is the name of the gonadal artery in females and with which structure does it pass downwards with?
Ovarian artery
The ovarian artery descends within the suspensory ligament to supply the ovaries via the broad ligament
Into which vessels do the ovarian veins drain?
Left ovarian vein - Left renal vein
Right ovarian vein - IVC
What is a hysterectomy?
Removal of Uterus
What is the general rule for understanding how lympahtic drainage of the pelvic organs travels?
It follows the arterial supply to the pelvic organs, therefore it passes back to the nodes around Iliac arteries and abdominal aorta
Lymph from the labia and distal part of the vagina drain into which group of lymph nodes?
Superficial Inguinal
Into which group of lymph nodes does lymph from the ovaries drain?
Para-aortic
Between which two ribs do the mammary glands extend between?
2nd and 6th ribs
