Female Reproductive Tract

Question 1

Identify the 3 components of the upper and lower female genital tracts

Answer 1

Upper:

• uterus
• ovaries
• fallopian tubes

Lower:

• Cervix
• Vagina
• Labia

Question 2

What is the function of the uterus?

Answer 2

Provides favourable environment for a foetus to develop

Question 3

What are the 2 main subdivisions of the uterus?

Answer 3

Corpus uteri

Cervix uteri

Question 4

What are the internal / external os ?

Answer 4

openings / boundaries

internal os: cervix to uterine body
external os: uterine cervix to vagina

Question 5

Describe what is meant by version and flexion of the uterus

Answer 5

Version: angle of cervix to vagina
Flexion: angle of cervix to uterus

Question 6

How are the majority of womens’ uterus’ located?

Answer 6

majority are antiverted and antiflexion

retroflexed - bending back on itself

Question 7

What important structures are around the uterus?

Answer 7

anterior - bladder

posterior - rectum

Question 8

Which ligaments support the uterus?

Answer 8

Ovarian ligament supports uterus to ovary
Suspensory ligaments supporting ovarian vessels
Broad ligament is the double fold of the peritoneum

Question 9

What is the meso-ovarium?

Answer 9

The blood vasculature to the ovaries

Question 10

What is the meso-salpinx?

Answer 10

Part of the broad ligament supplies the fallopian tubes

Question 11

What is the role of the mesometrium?

Answer 11

Suspends the uterus

Question 12

Outline the uterus blood supply

Answer 12

Abdominal aorta branches into common iliac into the internal iliac artery which becomes the uterine artery

Question 13

During a histerectomy, which vessels need to be looked out for?

Answer 13

Ureter
the uterine artery runs over the ureter
‘water runs under the bridge’

Question 14

Name 4 pars of the oviduct (uterine tube)

Answer 14

• Fimbria; engulfs ovary at ovulation to receive oocyte
• Infundibulum
• Ampulla (fertilisation commonly occurs here)
• Isthmus

Question 15

What is hydrosalpinx?

Answer 15

fallopian tube is blocked and fills with serous or clear fluid near the ovary (distal to the uterus).

The blocked tube may become substantially distended giving the tube a characteristic sausage-like or retort-like shape.

Question 16

Outline the embryological development of the ovaries

Answer 16

Like the testes, the ovaries arise retro-peritoneally on the posterior abdominal wall and then descend up to the pelvic brim

Question 17

Outline the venous drainage of the ovaries

Answer 17

L. ovarian Vein –> L. Renal vein

R. ovarian vein –> inferior vena cava

Question 18

What is the vagina?

Answer 18

a fibro-muscular tube capable of expansion

~3 inches

Question 19

What are the vaginal fornices?

Answer 19

recesses created by the vaginal cervix and upper parts of the vagina

Question 20

Are pelvic organs palpable?

Answer 20

Normal sized pelvic organs are not palpable and confined to the pelvic cavity
if uterus is palpable = pregnant

Question 21

Name the structures of external female genitalia

Answer 21

mons (hood) pubis
labia majora
ant. / post. commissures

prepuce, glans + frenulum of clitoris

labia minora 
vestibule
urethral meatus (opening)
hymen 
introitus