Lecture 2 - Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System Flashcards
In a cross section of the female reproductive system, identify:
- rectum
- urethra
- bladder
- vagina
- uterus
- uterine/fallopian tube
- ovary
- rectouterine & uterovesicle pouch
K
What is on the surface of the ovaries?
Why is there sometimes a sharp pain during ovulation?
What is a common pathology of the ovaries & what complication can this cause?
- Germinal epithelium where stem cells are found which give rise to eggs
- Physical rupture of ovarian capsule causes sharp pain
- Ovarian cysts, typically golf-ball size, can cause ovarian torsion, pinching off blood supply. Presents with pain.
On the uterus, label:
- Uterine tube
- Fundus
- Body
- Cervix
- Vagina
What sits directly infront of the uterus and behind the uterus?
- Bladder sits anteroinferiorly
- Rectum sits posteriorly
How does the uterus expand as the foetus grows in a pregnant female?
- Uterus expands massively, fundus can reach the top of the costal margins near the end of pregnancy
- This is why women often get acid reflux, constipation etc. due to compression of other structures by uterus
What guides the egg into the tube after being released?
Where does fertilisation of the egg take place?
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
- Fimbriae, finger like projections on the end of the uterine tubes
- Ampulla of the uterine tube (longest part)
- Where implantation of fertilised egg occurs outside of the uterus, most commonly in the uterine tubes. Presents w/abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding.
What are the peritoneal ligaments that cover the uterus and the ovary?
1) Broad ligament - a peritoneal fold
2) Round ligament & ligament of the ovary - remnants of the gubernaculum
3) Suspensory ligament of the ovary - neurovascular pathway bulging into peritoneum
What is the structure & role of the broad ligament?
What are the 3 main regions of the broad ligament
- Broad ligament is like a sheet hanging over the uterus, it is a double fold of peritoneum, extending from the lateral surface of the body of the uterus to the lateral pelvic wall.
- It assists in supporting the uterus and its associated structures, lubricating them from friction.
1) Mesometrium - spans over body of uterus to inferior portion of mesosalpinx
2) Mesosalpinx - upper border covering the uterine tubes
3) Mesovarium - holds the ovaries
What supplies blood to the female reproductive organs?
- Blood supply via uterine artery, a branch of the internal iliac artery, which passes underneath the ureter (water under the bridge!)
What is meant by the angle of anteversion and angle of anteflexion?
- Angle of anteversion is the angle of the axis of cervix and axis of vagina. Which is typically 90 degrees. V in Vagina good way to remember.
- Angle of anteflexion is the angle of the axis of uterine body and axis of cervix, which is typically 170 degrees. X in cervix good way to remember.
As these are both below 180 degrees, they are ANTEverted + ANTEflexed.
How is anteversion/ante flexion maintained?
Largely the role of the round ligament to tether the uterus in its anteverted/ante-flexed position
What feature of the vagina prevents conditions such as thrush arising?
- Vagina has stratified squamous epithelium, containing vacuoles with large amounts of glycogen. Glycogen used by lactobacilli bacteria to produce lactic acid, which maintains low pH environment of vagina, preventing conditions such as thrush.
- Excessive vaginal hygiene can predispose women to thrush, e.g.: douching
Identify on the vagina:
- Labium majus
- Labium minus
- Vestibule of vagina
- Clitoris + Prepuce of clitoris
K
What are the 3 classes of female genital mutilation? (FGM)
Class 1 = Clitoridectomy - removal of clitoris
Class 2 = More excisions - e.g.: of clitoris and labias as well
Class 3 = Suturing - of the external orifice leaving a small hole for urination
Why is it important to have an understanding of the anatomy of a transgender woman?
Trans-women typically still have a prostate, meaning they can still suffer from symptoms of BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy, a non-cancerous enlargement of prostate gland) or prostate cancer.
