Female Reproductive System Anatomy Flashcards
What area does the vestibule of the Vulva describe?
The area contained by the labia minora, which contains the openings to the urethra and vagina
What is the blood supply of the vulva?
Internal and external pudendal arteries and corresponding veins
You can give local anaesthetics through these
What is the lymphatic drainage of the vulva?
The ongoing, glands, located in the folds of the legs
What is the nerve supply of the vulva?
Branches of the pudendal nerve
What are the three functions of the vagina?
1) Passage and escape of menstrual flow
2) Receives the penis and ejaculate during intercourse
3) Provides exit for the Fetus during delivery
What are the three functions of the uterus?
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
Describe the structure of the cervix?
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
What is the function of the racemose glands of the cervical columnar epithelium?
These secrete mucus
Describe the structure of the muscle fibres of the cervix and how this impacts function
The muscle fibres Reare embedded in collagen enabling the cervix to stretch in labour
Describe the fungus, cornuae, cavity and isthmus of the uterus
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
What are the internal and external os?
Internal Os: narrow opening between isthmus and cervix
External Os: small round opening at the lower end of the cervix.
What are the three layers of the uterus?
1) Perimetrium
2) Myometrium
3) Endometrium
Describe the Perimetrium?
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.
What are the three layers of the Myometrium?
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
Describe the layers of the endometrium? (Innermost layer)
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.
Describe the uterine blood supply, lymphatic drainage, and nerve supply?
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
Describe the anatomical subdivisions of the uterine tubes?
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.
Describe the size and position of the uterus?
Length: 7.5cm
Width: 5cm
Depth: 2.5cm
Anteverted (leaning forwards) and anteflexed (bent forwards)
Describe the structure of the uterine tubes and their functional layers
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
Describe the blood supply, lymph drainage, and nerve supply of the Fallopian tubes
Blood supply, ovarian and uterine arteries & corresponding veins
Lymphatic drainage via the lumbar glands
Nerve supply via the ovarian plexus and parasympathetic system
What are the f7tions of the ovaries?
Produce ova during child birthing years
Produce oestrogen and progesterone
What is the average age of onset of puberty and what is it triggered by?
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
What are the characteristics of puberty
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
What oogenesis takes place in utero?
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
