Lecture 45 Flashcards
What are the parts of the female external genitalia?
The female external genitalia is contained in the urogenital region of the perineum, the top is the mons pubis (fatty pad) and is in front of the pubic symphysis. Below this is the labia major (larger and more lateral) and labia minor (smaller and more medial, spreads around the urethral opening). Deep to the labia are vestibular glands (and the vestibule) which lubricate the vaginal orifice. These are all known as the vulva. Above these is the clitoris, a small erectile organ in front of the urethral opening (it is developmentally homologous to the penis, though the urethra does not pass through it).
What parts does the female reproductive tract contain and what does it do?
The female reproductive tract is the path for ovum and sperm to travel through, meet and fuse. It has a location for developing embryo to grow with appropriate support and nourishment and it contains the structures: vagina, cervix, uterus, uterine tubes, ovary, “ligaments” and blood and nerve supplies.
What does the female perineum consist of?
The female perineum is the region inferior to the pelvic floor and upper region of the thighs, it is the location of the external genitalia and anus and it consists of two triangular division, anterioirly is the urogenital triangle (urethral and vaginal opening and external genitalia (vulv) and the anal triangle (anus).
What do the vagina and uterus do and consist of?
The uterus has several parts (the cervix, body and fundus), the point where it opens to the vagina is the external os off thecervix and just past this is the internal os of the cervix. It functions to recieve a fertilised zygote, retain and nourish the embryo throughout pregnancy and allows parturition (childbirth). The vagina is a fibromuscular (allows restoring of normal shape and stretching), distensible female copulatory organ and also functions as part of the birth canal. It lies between the urinary bladder and rectum and extends from the perineum to the cervix.
What is the uterus’ colloquial name and what are the components of it’s wall?
The uterus is known colloquially as the womb, it has three layers which make up its wall. The outer layer is the perimetrium (connective tissue, blood vessels), myometrium in the middle (smooth muscle) and the endometrium (inner layer, consists of columnar epithelium, uterine glands and arteries, blood vessels branch here and can allow a blood supply for the embryo).
and arteries).
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is when endometrium-like tissue grows elsewhere in the body, this builds up and sheds (as in menstruation). Because there is no outlet for the tissue swelling and inflammation occurs, its cause is unknown (possibly autoimmune).
What is the cervix and why is cervical screening done?
The cervix is a strong fibromuscular (almost cartillaginous, constantly repairs itself, leading to high possibilities of cancer, hence cervical screening) component of the female reproductive system which can act to close up the opening to the uterus and prevent inappropriate material from ruining a pregnancy. Its three main parts are the external os, the cervical canal and the internal os.
What three parts is the uterine tube split into? What do they do?
The uterine tube is divided into three parts: the most medial is the isthmus (narrow passage), the mid portion is the ampulla (dilated area, fetilisation typically occurs here), most laterally is the infundibulum (funnel shaped with finger like projections known as fimbriae which over over the ovary to help collect/guide the ovulated ovum to the opening in the infundibulum).
What is the blood supply system for the female reproductive system?
The blood supply to the female reproductive system branches off the abdominal aorta (ovarian artery, runs through suspensory ligament) and internal iliac arteries (vaginal artery and uterine artery), often they may undergo anastomosing (connecting). These will then branch further to form the spiral and straight arteries.
What are the ovaries, what are the layers and what do they do?
The ovaries are the female gonads, they are bilateral structures (lateral and posterior) that are roughly the size of an almond. They have an outer cortex (contains follicles with the gametes, coated in connective tissue) and the inner medulla (connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics). They are the site of oogenesis, homone production and are associated with ovarian ligaments and surface ligaments.
What are the main ligaments of the female reproductive system?
The broad ligament folds and presses over structures to create other ligaments (the mesometrium (uterus), mesosalpinx (uterine tubes) and mesovarium (ovary)). The ovarian ligament (anchors ovary to uterus), the round ligament (analogous to components of spermatic cord) and the suspensory ligament (holds ovarian artery in place).
What seperates the uterus from the bladder and rectum
The vesicouterine pouch is a gap between the bladder and uterus created by folding of the broas ligament (visceral peritoneum) over anteriorly located bladded. the Rectouterine pouch is blocked off by the rectouterine pouch, in the the same way but posteriorly.
