L21 and L22 Female Reproductive Organs (INCOMPLETE)

Question 1

What bones make up the pelvic girdle?

Answer 1

Ilium (x2)
Ischium (x2)
Pubis (x2)
Sacrum
(Coccyx)

Question 2

Which three bones fuse to form the innominate bones?

Answer 2

Ilium, ischium and pubis

Question 3

What marks the superior border of the pelvic cavity?

Answer 3

Pelvic inlet

This is an ‘imaginary’ boundary as there is no physical separation between the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Marked by the promontory, the ala of the sacrum, the left and right linea terminalis.

Question 4

What marks the inferior border of the pelvic cavity?

Answer 4

Pelvic diaghragm.

A hammock-like structure made from muscles and fascia.

Question 5

What lies immediately inferior to the pelvic diaphragm?

Answer 5

Perineum

Question 6

What openings are found in the pelvic diaphragm?

Answer 6

• Urogenital hiatus (for urethra and vagina)

- Anal canal

Question 7

Which muscles make up the pelvic diaphragm?

Answer 7

Ischiococcygeus (between ischial spine and sacrum/coccyx)

Levator ani

• Iliococcygeus
• Pubococcygeus
• Puborectalis

Question 8

What is the function of the levator ani muscle sheet?

Answer 8

Maintains continence, especially when coughing, sneezing etc.

Must relax to allow urination and defection.

Question 9

What are the key features of a female pelvis that differ from the male equivalent?

Answer 9

Sacrum: wider, shorter, more curved

Coccyx: more movable, straighter

Greater sciatic notch: wide and shallow

Pelvic inlet: wider, oval shape

Pelvic outlet: wider, ischial tuberosities shorter and further apart

Subpubic angle: obtuse (>90 degrees)

Question 10

What are the key features of a male pelvis that differ from the female equivalent?

Answer 10

Sacrum: narrow, longer, promontory is more ventral

Coccyx: less movable, curves ventrally

Greater sciatic notch: narrow and deep

Pelvic inlet: narrow, heart shape

Pelvic outlet: narrower, ischial tuberosities longer and sharper

Subpubic angle: Acute (<90 degrees)

Question 11

What are peritoneal ligaments?

Answer 11

Ligaments formed from folds in the peritoneal membrane

Question 12

What are articular ligaments?

Answer 12

Join bone to bone

Question 13

Which articular ligaments are found in the pelvis, and where are they located?

Answer 13

• Lumbosacral and iliolumbar: lumbosacral joint
• Sacrococcygeal: sacrococcygeal joint
• Sacroiliac: sacroiliac joint
• Pubic: pubic symphysis
• Inguinal: ASIS to pubic tubercle
• Sacrospinous: ischial spine to sacrum and coccyx
• Sacrotuberous: ischial tuberosity to sacrum and coccyx

Question 14

What structures are formed by the sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments?

Answer 14

Greater and lesser sciatic foramen

Question 15

Which structures pass through the greater sciatic foramen?

Answer 15

• Piriformis muscle
• Gluteal vessels and nerves
• Pudendal vessels and nerves
• Sciatic nerve

Question 16

Which structures pass through the lesser sciatic foramen?

Answer 16

• Tendon of obturator internus

- Pudendal vessels and nerves

Question 17

Which structures pass through the obturator foramen?

Answer 17

• Obturator canal (formed by obturator membrane)

- Obturator nerves and vessels

Question 18

True or false: The sciatic nerve innervates everything in the legs?

Answer 18

False.

The sciatic nerve innervates everything in the legs except the medial thigh muscles (which are innervated by obturator nerve)

Question 19

Which pelvic organs are NOT covered by peritoneum?

Answer 19

Uterine tubes and ovaries

Question 20

What are the peritoneal reflections found in the pelvic cavity?

Answer 20

Peritoneal reflections are ‘pouches’ or folds in the peritoneum. They can become infected if pus or pathological fluids drain into them.

• Rectouterine pouch (Pouch of douglas, female): between rectum and uterus.
• Uterovesical pouch (female): between bladder and uterus.
• Rectovesical pouch (male): between bladder and rectum

Question 21

What is the fundus?

Answer 21

The most superior part of the uterus.

It lies above the level of entry of the uterine tubes.

Question 22

What are the 3 layers of the uterine wall?

Answer 22

Epimetrium (or perimetrium, derived from peritoneum)

Myometrium (smooth muscle)

Endometrium (inner mucous coat)

Question 23

True or false: The uterine artery passes under the ureter?

Answer 23

FALSE! THIS IS FAKE NEWS!

“Water under the bridge”

The ureter (water) passes under the uterine artery.