Female Reproductive Tract Flashcards
Identify the 3 components of the upper and lower female genital tracts
Upper:
- uterus
- ovaries
- fallopian tubes
Lower:
- Cervix
- Vagina
- Labia
What is the function of the uterus?
Provides favourable environment for a foetus to develop
What are the 2 main subdivisions of the uterus?
Corpus uteri
Cervix uteri
What are the internal / external os ?
openings / boundaries
internal os: cervix to uterine body
external os: uterine cervix to vagina
Describe what is meant by version and flexion of the uterus
Version: angle of cervix to vagina
Flexion: angle of cervix to uterus
How are the majority of womens’ uterus’ located?
majority are antiverted and antiflexion
retroflexed - bending back on itself
What important structures are around the uterus?
anterior - bladder
posterior - rectum
Which ligaments support the uterus?
Ovarian ligament supports uterus to ovary
Suspensory ligaments supporting ovarian vessels
Broad ligament is the double fold of the peritoneum
What is the meso-ovarium?
The blood vasculature to the ovaries
What is the meso-salpinx?
Part of the broad ligament supplies the fallopian tubes
What is the role of the mesometrium?
Suspends the uterus
Outline the uterus blood supply
Abdominal aorta branches into common iliac into the internal iliac artery which becomes the uterine artery
During a histerectomy, which vessels need to be looked out for?
Ureter
the uterine artery runs over the ureter
‘water runs under the bridge’
Name 4 pars of the oviduct (uterine tube)
- Fimbria; engulfs ovary at ovulation to receive oocyte
- Infundibulum
- Ampulla (fertilisation commonly occurs here)
- Isthmus
What is hydrosalpinx?
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.
Outline the embryological development of the ovaries
Like the testes, the ovaries arise retro-peritoneally on the posterior abdominal wall and then descend up to the pelvic brim
Outline the venous drainage of the ovaries
L. ovarian Vein –> L. Renal vein
R. ovarian vein –> inferior vena cava
What is the vagina?
a fibro-muscular tube capable of expansion
~3 inches
What are the vaginal fornices?
recesses created by the vaginal cervix and upper parts of the vagina
Are pelvic organs palpable?
Normal sized pelvic organs are not palpable and confined to the pelvic cavity
if uterus is palpable = pregnant
Name the structures of external female genitalia
mons (hood) pubis
labia majora
ant. / post. commissures
prepuce, glans + frenulum of clitoris
labia minora vestibule urethral meatus (opening) hymen introitus
