Lecture 36 Flashcards
What is the function of the female reproductive system?
To produce oocytes, transport ova and spermatozoa to the appropriate site for fertilisation, provide a site for the developing embryo and fetus growth and delivery
What is the female perineum?
The region inferior to the pelvic floor between the upper region of the thighs containing the urogenital and anal triangles
What does the urogenital triangle contain?
The external genitalia; vulva
What does the anal triangle contain?
Anus
What is the vulva?
The external genitalia of the female reproductive system
What does the vulva contain?
The mons pubis, labia vestibular glands, and clitoris
What is the mons pubis?
A layer of fat in front of the pubic symphysis
What are the labia?
2 lip like sturcutes
What are the two labia?
The major and minor
What are the major labia?
The larger and more lateral labia
What are the minor labia?
The smaller and more medial labia which spreads around the vagina and the urethral opening
What is between the labia?
The vestibule
What are the vestibular glands?
Glands deep to the labia that lubricate the vaginal orifice
What are the two types of vestibular glands?
Lesser and greater
What do the lesser vestibular glands secrete?
Fluid for normal lubrication
What do the greater vestibular glands secrete?
Musous during arousal
What is the clitoris?
A complex erectile organ containing glans, body 2x crura and 2x bulbs
What are the structures of the internal female reproductive tract?
Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina
What are the uterine tubes?
The fallopian tubes, divided into three parts; the infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus
What is the infundibulum?
The most lateral portion of the tube
What is the ampulla?
The mid-portion, dilated where fertilisation normally occurs
What is the isthmus?
The most medial portion; a narrow passage
What are the three layers of the uterus?
The perimetrium, myometrium and endometrium
What is the perimetrium?
The outermost layer of connective tissue
What is the myometrium?
The middle and thickest layer of smooth muscle
Why is the myometrium the thickest layer?
For contractions during childbirth
What is the endometrium?
The innermost layer of columnar epithelium, uterine glands and arteries. This is the layer that grows and sheds during menstrual cycles
What is the cervix?
A canal that provides passage between the uterine cavity and vagina, consists of three parts
What are the three parts of the cervix?
The external os, cervical canal, internal os
What does the cervix produce?
Cervical mucus to protect against infection and regulate sperm transport
What is the vagina?
A fibromuscular, distensible female copulatory organ that functions as par of the birth canal
Where is the vagina?
Between the urinary bladder and rectum. It extends from the perineum to the cervix
What is the blood supply to the ovaries?
Ovarian arteries
What is the blood supply to the uterus?
Uterine artery
What is the blood supply to the vagina?
Vaginal artery
What are the branches off the urtrine artery?
The arcuate and radial arteries
What are the branches off the radial arteries?
Spiral and straight arteries
What happens to the spiral artery?
It is remodelled during pregnancy and makes up the bulk of period blood
What are the ovaries?
The female gonads, are bilateral structures that sit lateral and posterior to the uterus, within the lateral portion of the true pelvic cavity
What are the two components of the ovary?
The outer cortex and inner medulla
What is the outer cortex made from?
Follicles
What is in the inner medulla made from?
Connective tissue, blood/lymphatic vessels and nerves
What occurs in the ovarys?
Oogenesis and hormone production
Where do oocytes develop?
Within the follicles of the cotrex
What are the major ligaments of the female reproductive system?
The suspensory ligament, ovarian ligament, round ligament and broad ligament
What is the suspensory ligament?
A thin fold of the parietal peritoneum which attaches to the lateral margin of the ovary and extends to the lateral pelvic sidewall
What is the ovarian ligament?
A fibrous band of tissue that connects the ovary to the side of the uterus
What is the round ligament?
Wraps around uterine tube
What is the broad ligament?
Peritoneum that folds and pressed over structures to create other ligaments
What are the ligaments created by the broad ligament?
Mesometrium, mesosalpinx and mesovarium
What is the mesometrium?
The largest part of the broad ligament, a double-layered fold of the peritoneum that connects behind the uterus
What is the mesosalpinx?
The fold of peritoneum that encloses and supports the uterine tube
What is the mesovarium?
The portion of the broad ligament of the uterus that connects behind the ovaries
Where does the uterus lie?
Posterior to the bladder and anterior to the rectum
What is formed between the uterus and bladder?
Vesicouterine pouch
What is formed between the uterus and rectum?
Rectouterine pouch aka the pouch of douglas
What are the breasts?
Composed of glands and fat that lie on the pectoralis major muscles and function to nourish infants
What is the structure of the breast?
Lobes form lobules that form alveoli -> lactiferous ducts -> lactiferous sinuses that open at nipple pores
What supports the glands in the breast?
Suspensory ligaments
