Pelvis II Flashcards
The peritoneum drapes the pelvic organs, what does this do?
creates space where peritoneal fluid can accumulate
In females: vesicouterine and rectouterine pouches
In males: rectovesical pouch
What are the pelvic organs common to both sexes?
the ureters and urinary bladder which are both primarily retroperitoneal
Where do the ureters course?
inferior to the uterine artery in females and inferior to the ductus deferens in males (water under the bridge)
then pass obliquely through the posterosuperior bladder wall
Where is the retropubic space?
posterior to the pubis and anterior to the bladder
What kind of muscle makes up the bladder wall?
detrusor muscle, smooth muscle, highly distendable
What kind of innervation does the detrusor muscle receive?
parasympathetic innervation- pelvic splanchnic nerves
stimulates contraction of the detrusor muscles (promoting micturition)
What is rugae?
mucosal folds, prominent when bladder is empty
Internal urethral sphincter
smooth muscle sphincter at the neck of the bladder that surrounds the opening of the urethra in males
What kind of innervation does the internal urethral sphincter receive?
sympathetic innervation via lumbar sacral nerves
prevents micturition
prevents sperm from entering the bladder during ejaculation
What is the trigone?
smooth triangle on the posterior wall of the bladder, very sensitive to stretch (visceral sensory innervation stimulates the urge to void)
In males where is the bladder?
superior to the prostate, the prostate surrounds the opening of the urethra in males
In babies and children (until puberty) where is the bladder?
the bladder (even when empty) extends superior to pubis, susceptible to injury
In an adult, a distended bladder extends superior to the pubis, as a result…
a suprapubic incision can be made to access the bladder without transversing the peritoneum and entering the peritoneal cavity
highly susceptive to injury (MVCs, falls, heavy objects)
What are the female pelvic organs?
uterus, vagina, ovaries, uterine (fallopian) tubes, broad ligament
Where is the uterus located?
mostly intraperitoneal (suspended by broad ligament)
located between the bladder and rectum
What is the myometrium?
smooth muscle of the uterus, can dramatically stretch especially during pregnancy
What is the endometrium?
the internal lining of the uterus, made up of granular mucosa
site of implantation, shed each month
Body of the uterus
superior 2/3rds of the uterus
fundus is the rounded superior portion of the body
What is the cervix?
the cylindrical 1/3 of the uterus. Has internal os (opens superiorly) and external os (opens inferiorly, site of pap smear)
Vagina
located between bladder and rectum, continuous with cervix at the external os. Courses superiorly and posteriorly
What are vaginal fornices?
the cervix projects into the vagina at its superior end creating these recesses anteriorly, posteriorly and laterally
What is special about the posterior fornix?
it is the deepest of all the fornices, related to the rectouterine pouch and rectum posteriorly
an incision can be made through the posterior fornix to examine the peritoneal cavity