Gross Female Reproductive Tract

Question 1

The labia majora are homologous to the ____________ in the male. Are the arteries and nerves supplying the two structures similar? Name them.

Answer 1

• scrotal sac
• external and internal pudendal arteries (same as male)
• sensory fibers from ilioinguinal and pudendal nerves (same as male - male has and extra nerve)

Question 2

Name three structures that open into the vestibule of the vagina

Answer 2

vagina, urethra, and ducts of the greater vestibular glands

Question 3

Name four structures that are contained within the broad ligament

Answer 3

uterus, uterine tubes, round ligament of the uterus, ligament of the ovary, ovarian and uterine vessels and nerves

Question 4

The ovaries are located on the ___________ aspect of the broad ligament

Answer 4

posterior aspect

Question 5

List the contents of the suspensory ligament of the ovary

Answer 5

ovarian vessels and nerves

Question 6

Name the four divisions of the uterine tube and list a distinguishing feature of each

Answer 6

1. intramural (within walls of uterus)
2. isthmus (very short, next to body of uterus)
3. ampulla (widest and longest)
4. infundibulum (most distal portion - projects over the ovary)

Question 7

What is an ectopic pregnancy? Where do most of them occur? Why?

Answer 7

when the embryo implants and begins to develop somewhere other than the uterus
most occur in the ampulla because this is where fertilization takes place

Question 8

The lower third of the uterus is called the ___________

Answer 8

cervix

Question 9

What is the normal position of the uterus? Why is this position important?

Answer 9

anteverted (90 degrees relative to the vagina) and anteflexed (anterior folding of the uterus at the level of the internal os) position relative to the bladder

prevents the a prolapsed uterus

Question 10

List the structures that would be compromised during an episiotomy. Why is this procedure performed?

Answer 10

skin of the perineum, posterior vaginal wall, and perineal body are incised
prevents uncontrolled tearing of the fascia and muscles of the pelvis diaphragm, rectum and related strctures

Question 11

Where do the uterine and ovarian arteries anastomose?

Answer 11

terminal branches of uterine artery anastamoses with the ovarian artery close to the ureter

Question 12

What drains into the lateral aortic lymph nodes? At what vertebral level are they located?

Answer 12

lymphatic vessels draining the ovaries, uterine tubes, and fundus of the uterus
L1-L2

Question 13

List three regions of the female reproductive tract that drain into the superficial inguinal nodes.

Answer 13

lymphatics of the vagina, external genitalia, and some lymphatics from uterine tubes/fundus of the uterus

Question 14

To which vertebral level is the pain of an ovarian cyst referred? What is it often mistaken for?

Answer 14

T10-T11

mistaken for appendicitis because dermatomes are identical

Question 15

What is/are the roles of the pelvic splanchnic nerves found in the uterovaginal plexus? What is/are the roles of the sympathetic fibers?

Answer 15

visceral afferents from the cervix and upper portion of the vagina to S2-S4 - pressure, stretching, and distensions perceived as painful stimuli

sympathetic fibers: vasomotor - initiate contraction of uterine and vaginal musculature