Female Reproductive System Anatomy

Question 1

What area does the vestibule of the Vulva describe?

Answer 1

The area contained by the labia minora, which contains the openings to the urethra and vagina

Question 2

What is the blood supply of the vulva?

Answer 2

Internal and external pudendal arteries and corresponding veins

You can give local anaesthetics through these

Question 3

What is the lymphatic drainage of the vulva?

Answer 3

The ongoing, glands, located in the folds of the legs

Question 4

What is the nerve supply of the vulva?

Answer 4

Branches of the pudendal nerve

Question 5

What are the three functions of the vagina?

Answer 5

1) Passage and escape of menstrual flow
2) Receives the penis and ejaculate during intercourse
3) Provides exit for the Fetus during delivery

Question 6

What are the three functions of the uterus?

Answer 6

1) Lrepare to receive the fertilised ovum
2) Provide a suitable environment for growth and and development of the fetus
3) Assist in expulsion of the fetus, placenta and membranes

Question 7

Describe the structure of the cervix?

Answer 7

The cervix is 2.5cm in length, and the anterior and posterior sides are lined with ridges; one longitudinal and many oblique in a tree shaped pattern called arbor vitae (tree of life)

Cervical canal is lined the racemose glands

Question 8

What is the function of the racemose glands of the cervical columnar epithelium?

Answer 8

These secrete mucus

Question 9

Describe the structure of the muscle fibres of the cervix and how this impacts function

Answer 9

The muscle fibres Reare embedded in collagen enabling the cervix to stretch in labour

Question 10

Describe the fungus, cornuae, cavity and isthmus of the uterus

Answer 10

Fund us: upper border of the uterus above the insertion of the Fallopian tubes

Cornuae: upper lateral margins where the uterine tubes enter the uterus

Cavity: within the body of the uterus, triangular in shape

Isthmus: 7mm long portion at the bottom connecting the body of the uterus to the cervixi

Question 11

What are the internal and external os?

Answer 11

Internal Os: narrow opening between isthmus and cervix

External Os: small round opening at the lower end of the cervix.

Question 12

What are the three layers of the uterus?

Answer 12

1) Perimetrium
2) Myometrium
3) Endometrium

Question 13

Describe the Perimetrium?

Answer 13

Layer of peritoneum draped over uterus and Fallopian tubes

Forms the Pouch of Douglas posteriorly

Where it folds over as a double serous layer it forms the broad ligaments of the uterus which stretch and widen as the baby grows.

Question 14

What are the three layers of the Myometrium?

Answer 14

Inner Layer - circular fibres around the cornua and cervix that act as a sphincter

Middle layer - interlacing ‘s’ shales spiral fibres oblique across the upper part of the uterine body

Outer layer - longitudinal fibres from the cervix anteriorly over the fungus to the cervix posteriorly to push the baby out. Smooth muscle

Question 15

Describe the layers of the endometrium? (Innermost layer)

Answer 15

Columnar epithelium, containing two layers of tubular secretory glands

Functional layer which thickens and is shed during the menstrual cycle

Basal layer which the function layer regenerates from every cycle. The placenta embeds here.

Question 16

Describe the uterine blood supply, lymphatic drainage, and nerve supply?

Answer 16

Blood supply:
Uterine artery - branch over the internal iliac artery; enters at cervix level
Ovarian artery - branch of abdominal aorta, supplies ovaries and uterine tubes before merging with uterine artery
Venous drainage is from the corresponding veins

Lymphatic drainage: lumbar and hypogastric nodes

Nerve supply: uterus is 11th, 12th thoracic, 1st lumbar; cervix is sacral nerves 2, 3 & 4

Question 17

Describe the anatomical subdivisions of the uterine tubes?

Answer 17

Interstitial: pass through the wall of the uterus, smallest lumen, <1mm
Isthmus: lies adjacent to the uterus and wider than interstitial portion
Ampulla: widest part
Infundibulum: trumpet shaped with fimbrae projections. One fimbrae is slightly longer than the rest and attached to the ovary.

Question 18

Describe the size and position of the uterus?

Answer 18

Length: 7.5cm
Width: 5cm
Depth: 2.5cm

Anteverted (leaning forwards) and anteflexed (bent forwards)

Question 19

Describe the structure of the uterine tubes and their functional layers

Answer 19

Outer peritoneum: forms the broad ligament

Muscular layer: longitudinal and circular muscle, more circular muscle at the isthmus, less at the frimbriated end

Endothelium: ciliates columnar epithelial cells that waft ovum to uterus, goblet cells to produce secretions to nourish ovum

Question 20

Describe the blood supply, lymph drainage, and nerve supply of the Fallopian tubes

Answer 20

Blood supply, ovarian and uterine arteries & corresponding veins

Lymphatic drainage via the lumbar glands

Nerve supply via the ovarian plexus and parasympathetic system

Question 21

What are the f7tions of the ovaries?

Answer 21

Produce ova during child birthing years

Produce oestrogen and progesterone

Question 22

What is the average age of onset of puberty and what is it triggered by?

Answer 22

Average age 12-13 years

Influenced by body mass

Triggered by Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone from the hypothalamus which triggers the release of FSH & LH from the pituitary gland

Question 23

What are the characteristics of puberty

Answer 23

Body hair
Growth in height 
Change in body composition 
Growth in breasts and pigmentation 
Increased activity of secretory glands 
Uterine growth 
Vaginal epithelium responsive to oestrogen and pH
Pigmentation of external genitalia 
Onset of menarche

Question 24

What oogenesis takes place in utero?

Answer 24

Germ cells divide by mitosis to produce many oogonia

Some of these develop into the 200,000 primary oocytes, in the first phase of meiosis

No further division occurs until puberty

Question 25

What is a mature follicle called, and how are they structured?

Answer 25

They are called Graafian Follicles

Outer layer is THECA CELLS derived from the cell of the ovary cortex

Inner layer is GRANULOSA CELLS, and contains the oocyte

Both layers produce ovarian hormones

Question 26

Describe Ovulation

Answer 26

Fraafian follicle migrates through the cortex

Tension increases due to increasing volume of follicular fluid

This thins the follicle surface so it ruptures and expels the secondary oocyte into the peritoneal cavity

Question 27

What is the role of a corpus luteum?

Answer 27

This develops from the follicle after the secondary oocyte is expelled from it. It provides nutrition to the oocyte until the placenta takes over