Pelvic Anatomy

Question 1

What makes up the pelvic girdle?

Answer 1

Ilium, ischium, pubis, sacrum and coccyx

Question 2

Describe the pelvic cavity roof/pelvic brim

Answer 2

Promentory, margain of ala, arcuate line, pecten pubis and pubic crest

Question 3

Describe both the true and false pelvis

Answer 3

True - inferior to pelvic brim

False - superior to pelvic brim

Question 4

Describe the pelvic cavity borders

Answer 4

Superior - pelvic inlet
Inferior - pelvic diaphragm
Lateral - hip bones, obturator interns muscle
Anterior - pubic bones and pubic symphysis
Posteriorly - piriformis muscle and sacrum

Question 5

What are the 3 main pelvic ligament sections?

Answer 5

Articular ligament
Peritoneal ligaments
Foetal remnants

Question 6

Describe the iliolumbar ligament

Answer 6

5th lumbar ligament, goes to ilium forms part of false pelvis

Question 7

Describe the inguinal ligament

Answer 7

Anterior, superior iliac spine to the pubis

Question 8

Describe the sacroiliac ligament

Answer 8

Spans form the sacrum to the ileum, not simple multi branched left and right

Question 9

Describe the sacrococcygeal ligament

Answer 9

Midline - anterior and posterior over the coccyx

Question 10

Describe the sacrospinous ligament

Answer 10

From sacrum to the ischial spine forms boundary for foramen (sciatic)

Question 11

Describe the sacrotuberous ligament

Answer 11

From ischial tuberosity to sacrum and coccyx

Question 12

What runs through greater sciatic foramen?

Answer 12

• Piriformis muscle
• Gluteal and pudendal vessels and nerves
• Sciatic nerve

Question 13

What runs through the lesser sciatic foramen?

Answer 13

• Tendon obturator internus

- Pudendal vessels and nerves

Question 14

What runs through the obturator foramen?

Answer 14

Obturator canal formed by obturator membrane

- obturator nerve and vessels

Question 15

What are the pelvic diaphragm muscles?

Answer 15

Ischiococcygeus 
Levator ani - muscular sheath 
- iliococcygeus 
- pubococcygeus 
- puborectalis

Question 16

Describe the peritoneum

Answer 16

Serous membrane, mesothelial and areolar connective tissue

- most pelvic organs are intraperitoneal

Question 17

What are the three layers of the uterus?

Answer 17

• Epi/perimetrium derived form peritoneum
• Myometrium
• Endometrium - inner layer

Question 18

What are the ligaments supporting the uterus?

Answer 18

• Broad ligament
• Uterosacral ligament
• Cardinal ligament
• Round ligament

Question 19

Describe the position of the uterus

Answer 19

Normally anteverted and ante flexed - both angles less than 180 degrees
90 and 170 degrees

Question 20

Describe uterine fibroids

Answer 20

• Benign tumours originating from myometrium
• Increases urinating frequency and urge
• Fed by uterine artery - anastomose

Question 21

Describe the uterine tubes

Answer 21

• Project laterally from the uterus
• Isthmus
• Ampulla
• Infundibulum - surrounded by fimbriae

Question 22

Describe the round ligament

Answer 22

Embryologicla remnant - ligament teres uteri

• vestige of female gubernaculum
• passes through inguinal canal maintains ante version in pregnancy

Question 23

Describe the ovary

Answer 23

• Almond shape
• endocrine gland
  Suspended by mesovarium and suspensory ligament of ovary
• Ovarian artery and vein travel through suspensory ligament

Question 24

What nerve is lateral to ovary?

Answer 24

Obturator nerve

Question 25

Describe the vagina

Answer 25

• Flattened muscular tube

- Cervix protrudes into upper part at vaginal vault creating fornices

Question 26

Describe the testes

Answer 26

• Paired male gonads
• ovoid glands produce sperm
• Suspended in scrotum by spermatic cord
• Tough outer surface - tunica albuginea
• Partially surrounded by double membranous sac tunica vaginalis
• Elongated posteriolateral ridge - the epididymis

Question 27

Describe the route for sperm

Answer 27

• Produced in the seminiferous tubules
• drain into rite testes channels
• efferent ductules
• Epididymis
• Vas / ductus deferens - main component of spermatic cord

Question 28

Describe the cremaster and dartus muscle

Answer 28

When they can contract (sometimes partially conscious) can pull testes back into the body towards inguinal canal

Question 29

What is the raphe point?

Answer 29

Point where testicles meet

Question 30

Describe the vas deferens

Answer 30

• Paired muscular tubes
• Convey sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory duct
• Ascend through inguinal canal and run on the pelvic wall towards posterior surface of the bladder
• Final distal part = ampulla which joins the outlet of seminal vesicles forming ejaculatory ducts opening into prostatic urethra

Question 31

Describe the prostate

Answer 31

• Firm walnut size accessory gland
• Lies below neck of the bladder
• Part of male urethra runs through it
• produces milky fluid that aids sperm motility
• Numerous prostatic ducts open into prostatic urethral sinuses on posterior wall of prostatic urethra
• ejaculatory ducts open into the seminal colliculus which is elevated portion of urethral crest and where prostatic utricle opens - embryological remnant

Question 32

Describe prostate cancer in males and stages 1-4

Answer 32

-2nd most common cancer in male related cancer deaths
- most common cancer in males
Stage 1 - within prostate
Stage 2 - Hyperplasia - some symptoms start to form
Stage 3 - Start of metastatisation
Stage 4 - cancer in lymph nodes to organs

Question 33

Describe brachytherapy

Answer 33

Internal radiation source, treatment from inside out

- Localised treatment

Question 34

Describe the bulbourethral glands

Answer 34

• Ducts pass through perineal membrane
• opens through muscle aperture
• secrete pre ejaculatory fluid - rich in mucus to lubricate tubes and galactose for energy