Lecture 6 - Female Pelvis and Perineum Flashcards
What are the female pelvic organs?
Ovary, uterine tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina, ureter, bladder, urethra, rectum, caecum, appendix, sigmoid colon and ileum, vessels, nerves and lymphatics
What is the structure of the female pelvic organs?
What are the boundaries of the peritoneum and pelvic fascia?
Parietal peritoneum continues into pelvic cavity without touching the pelvic floor; uterine tubes are completely enveloped by peritoneum (broad ligament). Pelvic fascial condensation form ‘ligaments’ supporting viscera (cervix, vagina)
How are the ovaries suspended?
By the mesovarium from posterior of broad ligament
How are the broad ligament, uterus, uterine tubes and ovary organised?
What are the broad ligaments?
Transverse mesentries joining the uterus to the pelvic walls -> contain the uterine tubes and uterine arteries
How are the ligaments arranged around the uterus?
How is the cervix and vagina maintained stable?
3 sets of fibrous bands (cervical ligaments) anchor the cervix in position with the pelvis -> prevent uterus from prolapsing through the vagina
What is the structure of the uterus and uterine tube?
Uterus consists of fundus, body, lower segment and cervix. Uterine tubes consist of infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus and uterine parts
Where is there potential communication between peritoneal cavity and exterior?
Via the reproductive passage -> abdominal ostium of uterine tube and vaginal opening
How is the uterus arranged?
How does the uterus change size in pregnancy?
What is the cervix?
Fibro-muscular cylinder with internal/external os -> projects into anterior vaginal wall at right angle to vaginal axis
What lines the cervical canal?
Mucus secreting simple columnar epithelium
What cells line the vaginal surface of the cervix?
Covered in stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium -> no glands in vaginal wall
How is the cervix held up?
By strong cervical ligaments attached to the pelvis and sacrum -> part of pelvic fascia
What is the vagina?
Fibromuscular canal -> 7-9cm; vaginal fornices at upper end -> posterior fornix is important clinically and urethra is fused with the anterior wall
What structures can be palpated via the vagina wall?
Cervix, ischial spine, sacral promontory, uterine arterial pulse (lateral fornix), ovary [some can be felt through rectal examination]