Pelvis 03: Female Reproductive System Flashcards
What does the female reproductive tract consist of?
Vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, uterine tubes, ovaries
What are the intraperitoneal structures of the female reproductive system?
Ovaries, uterine tubes, fundus of the uterus, most of the body of the uterus
What are the subperitoneal structures of the female reproductive system?
Lower uterus, cervix, vagina; the exception is the posterior fornix
What are the three endopelvic fascia ligaments that suspend and support the female reproductive tract?
Pubocervical ligament, transverse cervical ligament, uretosacral ligament
Round ligament of the uterus
A ligament in females that is analogous to the male spermatic cord; it runs from the uterus superiorly, and then inferiorly through the deep and superficial inguinal rings; it goes to the labia majora
Ligament of the ovary
A ligament that runs between the uterus and the ovary
What is the remnant structure that becomes the round ligament of the uterus and the ligament of the ovary?
Gubernaculum
Broad ligament
A ligament consisting of peritoneum and parametrium that drapes over the pelvic organs
What are the three parts of the broad ligament
Mesovarium, mesosalpinx, mesometrium
Mesovarium
Part of the broad ligament that suspends the ovaries
Mesosalpinx
Part of the broad ligament that suspends the uterine tubes
Mesometrium
Part of the broad ligament between the junction of mesovarium+mesosalpinx and the parietal peritoneum
Parametrium
Tissue enclosed by the broad ligament beside the uterus
Perimetrium
Tissue that lies around the uterus
hysterectomy
An operation to remove the uterus from the body
What are the three places where the ureter is in danger during hysterectomy
1) Distal ureter where it is crossed by the uterine artery
2) Dorsal to the suspensory ligament of the ovary at the pelvic brim
3) intramural portion of the ureter at the level of the fornices
Ovaries
Paired organs that are the site of ova production
Oogenesis
The process of forming ova
Secretory properties of the ovary
An endocrine organ; it secretes estrogen and progesterone
What are the four histological components of the ovary?
Visceral peritoneum, stroma, follicles with granulosa cells, germ cells
Germinal epithelium
The visceral peritoneum of the ovaries
What is the cell type of the germinal epithelium
Simple squamous to cuboidal mesothelium
Ovarian stromal cells
Cells of the stroma of the ovary that synthesize hormones and form theca
Theca
Muscle-like tissue that surrounds the developing follicle in the ovary
Primordial germ cells
The primitive germ cells, before male/female differentiation occurs
What are the stages of the development of female ovaries
Week 3: PGCs develop at posterior end of primitive streak
Week 4: PGCs migrate into endoderm of yolk sac
Week 5: PGCs migrate into genital ridge of intermediate mesoderm
Week 6: PGCs enter the developing gonad
Primordial follicle
A follicle encasing a primary oocyte that is surrounded by squamous epithelium
Primary follicle
A follicle encasing a primary oocyte that is surrounded by cuboidal epithelium
What marks the transition of a primordial follicle to a primary follicle?
The epithelium changes from sqamous to cuboidal under the influence of FSH
What stage of meiosis is the primary oocyte arrested in in the primary follicle?
Meiosis 1
Granulosa cells
The cells of the follicular epithelium that surround the primary (not primordial) follicle
Pre-antral follicle
A follicle that is defined by multiple layers of granulosum and thecal cells; there is no antrum
Antral follicle
Also known as secondary follicle; there is large antrum; culumnus oophorus at one end is continuous with the stratum granulosum
What cells of the follicle produce estrogen and progesterone?
Theca interna