Female reproductive system I Flashcards
What is the female reproductive system?
Female reproductive tract responsible for production of gametes (oocytes), needs to be able to transport ova and spermatozoa to the appropriate spot for fertilisation
Provides a site for developing embryo and fetus to grow - protection, nourishment
Facilitates delivery of fetus
What is the female perineum?
Lies inferior to pelvic floor between upper region of thighs
In the urogenital triangle you find the external genitalia, vulva and in the anal triangle find the anus
What is the vulva?
Mons pubis: layer of fat tissue that sits in front of pubic symphysis
Labia majora are larger and more lateral
Labia minor are smaller and more medial
Labia surround space, vestibule, where opening of urethra and vagina are
What are the glands in the vulva?
Lesser vestibular glands are more anterior and open into vestibular, provide secretions that keep tissue moist
Grater vestibular glands open, secrete contents when female is arosed and ensures vestibule and vagina is lubricated during sexual intercourse
What is the clitoris?
Clitoris is a complex erectile organ made up of glans, body, cruca (x2) and bulbs of vestibule (x2), develops homologous to penis
Urethra does not pass through clitoris, has separate opening
What is the uterine tube?
Uterine tube is the most common site of fertilisation
Infundibulum has the fingerlike projections of fimbriae, most lateral portion
Ampulla is where oocyte is transported to and is where spermatozoa need to reach, fertilisation occurs here, mid-portion
Isthmus is a narrow region where the fertilised embryo will be transported into uterus, most medial portion
What is the uterus?
Fundus - thick muscular structure
Uterus sits between bladder and sigmoid colon/rectum
Three layers: Perimetrium (connective tissue, covers 2/3 uterus), myometrium (smooth muscle, thick layer) and endometrium (mucosal layer, columnar epithelium, uterine glands and arteries)
Functional layer in the endometrium grows and sheds during menstrual cycle
Two layers in endometrium layer
There are two key layers within the endometrium - inner most layer near lumen (functional layer) and thinner layer (basal layer)
What is the cervix?
Cervix is more inferior part of uterus, cervix includes as internal os, cervical canal and external os (opening)
Ensures fetus stays in uterus during pregnancy
Cervical mucus prevents infection in upper parts of female reproductive tract and modifies when and how spermatozoa can get into reproductive tracts, changes in consistency throughout menstrual cycle
What is the vagina?
Vagina is an elastic, fibromuscular, distensible tube, has rugae which allows for stretch during sexual intercourse and birth. Sits between bladder and rectum and extends from perineum to the cervix (about 8cm). Copulatory organs in females, when insemination occurs semen deposited up towards here
Where is blood supplied from to the uterus?
Branches to reproductive tract come off abdominal aorta (ovarian artery) or internal iliac artery (uterine and vaginal arteries).
From the uterine artery it branches off and splits to form arcuate arteries which split to form radial arteries which feed functional layer of endometrium
What do radial arteries split into?
Radial arteries split into straight arteries which supply basal layer and specialised arterioles that feed functional layer of endometrium
Spiral arterioles are important as they are modified by the trophoblast cells of the embryo in formation of placenta, supply majority of the blood loss during menstruation
What is the ovaries?
Found lateral and posterior to uterus
Two main parts: medulla (main blood supply, lymphatic and nerves) and cortex (where oocytes found inside follicles)
Follicles are important sources of estradiol (hormone producing)
How do oocytes develop?
As an oocyte develops through ovarian cycle so does the follicle, goes through three stages until becomes mature and ovulation occurs, oocyte released and follicle undergoes transpiration process to become corpus luteum which produces progesterone (important for maturation and maintenance of pregnancy) if implantation doesn’t take place corpus luteum becomes corpus albicans which eventually disappear
What is the ovarian, suspensory and round ligaments?
Ovarian ligaments are paired structures from lateral surface of uterus to medial surface of the ovary
Suspensory ligaments are from lateral surface of ovary and tuck under uterine tube and head towards abdominal wall and carry nutrients from the main blood supply to the ovary
Round ligaments start at around height of uterine tube from anterior surface of uterus, head out via inguinal canal and underneath labia majora
