Lecture 66 - Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Describe the main structures of the female reproductive tract
Vagina Uterus Bladder Rectum Bones: - pubis - sacrum, coccyx Pelvic floor: openings
Where is the pelvis?
Area within the pelvic bones
What is the pelvic diaphragm?
Pelvic floor
Supports the viscera in the pelvis
Separates the pelvis from the perineum
Attachments for the external genitalia
Describe the anterior - posterior organisation of structures in the pelvis
Bladder
Uterus
Rectum
What are the two triangles?
Anterior: Urogenital
Posterior: anal triangle
Which muscle forms the pelvic diaphragm?
Levator ani muscle
Attaches at pelvic brim
What are the holes in the pelvic diaphragm?
Anterior: Urogenital hiatus - urethra - vagina Anal aperture - anus
What are the subdivisions of levator ani?
Puborectalis
Pubococcygeus
Iliococcygeus
Describe the function of puborectalis
Tonically contracted
Forms a sling around the back on the anus
Contraction: pulls anus forwards and upwards –> kink, keeping anus closed
Describe the structures superficial to the perineum
Perineal membrane
- NB only covers anterior urogenital triangle
- openings
What is the deep perineal pouch?
Contains skeletal muscle for sphincters of:
- urethra
- vagina opening
Where is the deep perineal pouch?
*
Describe how damage can occur to the pelvic floor, and which structures are at risk
During childbirth
- perineum
- levator ani
- perineal fascia
- pubococcygeus
- pubrectalis
What happens after damage to pelvic floor
Urinary stress incontinence
Prolapse of uterus
Faecal incontinence
What is the inner lining of the uterus?
Endometrium
- very vascularised
Shed during menstrual cycle
Draw and label the uterus and vagina
Slide 8
Fallopian tube Fundus Body Cervix Fomix Vagina
What are the parts of the uterine tubes?
Infundibulum
Ampulla
Isthmus
Fimbria
Where are the ovaries located?
In the peritoneal cavity
Intraperitoneal
Describe the walls of thr uterus
Thick
Muscular
What is the cervix?
Opening of the uterus into the vagina
Where is the uterus located?
Draw this
Anteverted to vagina
Antiflexed over bladder
Slide 9
Which structures support the uterus?
The bladder posteriorally
What happens when the uterus is displaced?
Retroverted
Retroflexed
Uterus in same plane as vagina
–> Prolapse of uterus through vagina
How does the ovary attach to uterus?
Ligament of ovary
Where are the oocytes release from?
Lateral pole of the ovary
Near fimbriae and Infundibula
Describe the blood supply of the uterus and the vagina
Ovarian vessels (from abdo. aorta)
Uterine vessels
Vaginal vessels
Many anastamoses
Where does fertilisation occur?
Ampulla of fallopian tubes
Where does implantation occur?
Into the wall of the body of uterus
What is ectopic pregnancy?
Implantation in a different location:
- Tubal (in fallopian tubes)
- Infundibular
- Ovarian
- Abdominal
What happens in tubal ectopic pregnancy?
Not enough space
Rupture of fallopian tubules and vasculature
Serious haemorrhage
Describe the inferior part of the peritoneum
Peritoneal folds
Folds down into the spaces between pelvic viscera
What are the two pouches of the peritoneum?
Vesicouterine pouch
(between bladder and uterus)
Rectouterine pounch
(between rectum and uterus)
Where can fluid accumulate in the pelvis?
Rectouterine pouch
What is the name for the mesentery of the ovary?
Broad ligament
Describe the position of the ovaries relative to the uterus
Ovaries are posterior
What do the female external genitalia attach to?
Perineal membrane
Pubic
What is the erectile tissue in a female made up of?
Corpora cavernosa
Two bulbs of vestibule
Glans clitoris
Describe the location of the clitoris
Anterior to urethra
Exposed (not covered by skin)
Where are the greater vestibular glands located?
Posterior to bulbs
What is the function of the greater vestibular glands?
Secrete mucous during arousal for lubrication
What are the external muscles?
Ischiocavernosus
Bulbospongiosis
What is the role of these external muscles?
Push blood anteriorally to body and glans clitoris
What is the pudendum?
aka Vulva
Erectile tissues + overlying skin
What are the two folds of skin?
What do they surround?
Labia minora
Surround the vestibule
What are the two parts of the labia?
Minora
Majora
