Repro 5.1 female anatomy Flashcards
What are the main components of the female reproductive tract?
- ovaries
- uterus
- uterine tubes
- cervix
- vagina
- external genitalia (labia majora/minora, clitoris, etc)
where do the ovaries develop originally?
the mesonephric ridge (urogenital ridge)
Where are the ovaries situated?
Within the pelvis, not descended outside the body like the testes.
What are the main funtions of the ovaries?
- to produce oocytes
- to produce sex steroids progesterone and oestrogen.
What are the 2 main anatomical components of the ovary?
medulla
cortex
Whats the function of the cortex?
Made of connective tissue stroma and many primordial follicles.
What’s the function/make up of the medulla?
Made of supporting stroma and rich vasculature.
How does neurvasculature enter the ovaries?
Via the mesovarium.
What is the mesovarium?
a fold of peritoneum which is continuous with the outer surface of the ovaries.
IT connects the ovaries to the posterior uterine wall.
What is the epithelial layer of the surface of the ovaries?
simple cuboidal epithelium, also known as germinal epithelium.
What are ovarian cysts?
Fluid filled masses on the surface of the ovary, commonly from follicles.
Can grow up to 2.5cm.
What are some complications of ovarian cysts and how would you deal with them?
bleeding, pain
would surgically remove them
How is PCOS characterised?
whats the criteria?
10+ ovarian cysts
hormonal dysfunction
(often associated infertility)
What are the common cells involved in ovarian tumours?
- epithelial cells (ovarian adenocarcinoma)
- germ cells (teratoma- usually benign)
What are the 2 ligaments associated with the ovaries?
-suspensory ligament of the ovary- attaches it from the mesovarium to the pelvic wall.
Ligament of the ovary- from the ovary to the fundus of the uterus. (continues as the round ligament of the uterus)
Where do the ovaries recieve their blood from?
ovarian artery (direct branch from the abdominal aorta)
What’s the venous drainage of the ovaries?
-left and right ovarian veins.
left drains into the left renal vein, right drains striaght into the IVC
Where does the lymph from the ovaries drain?
Para-aortic lymph nodes.
from where do the ovaries receive their nervous supply:
a) sympathetic
b) parasympathetic
a) ovarian plexus
b) pelvic plexus.
What is the location of the uterine ducts?
run within the upper border of the broad ligament.
extend from the lateral uterus and open into the abdominal cavity near tot he ovaries.
What’s the main function of the uterine tubes?
to transport the ovum from the ovaries to the uterus.
What factors aid the uterine tube in moving the ovum?
- cillia on the inner mucosa
- peg cells (non-ciliated secretory cells) to provide the ovum with nutrients,
- smooth msucle layer undergoes peristalsis.
What are the 4 sections of the uterine tube>
Fimbria (finger like projections)
infundibulum (funnel shaped)
ampulla (widest section, where fertilisation usually occurs)
isthmus (connection to uterine cavity)
Where do the uterine tubes receive their blood supply from?
uterine and ovarian arteries.
What is the venous drainage of the uterine tubes?
uterine and ovarian veins
What is the lymphatic drainage of the uterine tubes?
- sacral
- iliac
- para-aortic lymph nodes
What’s the innervation of the uterine tubes?
sympathetic- from the ovarian plexus
parasympathetic- from the pelvic plexus
Sensory fibres from T11-L1.
What’s the name given to inflammation of the uterine tubes?
Salpingitis.
What’s the common cause of salpingitis?
Bacterial infections, eg ghonorrhoea
What are the complications associated with salpingitis?
adhesions of the mucosa which can cause blockages of the lumen. This can cause infertility or an ectopic pregnancy.
How can a partially obstructed uterine tube lead to an ectopic pregnancy?
The sperm can pass the occlusion to fertilise the egg, but the fertilised egg cannot pass, so will stay and try to grow wihtin the uterine tubes.
Why are ectopic pregnancys classed as a medical emergency?
the tissue of the uterine tube isn’t made for implantation, so can rupture leading to haemorrhage.
What is ligation of the uterine tubes?
Cutting of them, used to sterilise someone so they can not longer get pregnant.
The oocyte cannot pass to the uterus.
What are the 2 methods of ligation?
- open abdominal (via a suprapubic incision)
- laparoscopic (using a small incision near the umbillicus and a laparoscope).
What are the 2 connections of the uterus?
laterally-uterine tubes
distally- vagina
What are the 3 parts of the uterus?
- fundus (located above the opening of the uterine tubes)
- body
- cervix
Describe the anatomical position of the uterus in the average adult
- anterverted with respect tot he vagina
- anteflexed wtih respect to the cervix.
Where does the uterus lie with respect to the bladder?
Posteriosuperiorly.
What are the common abnormal positions of the uterus?
- excessively anteflexed
- anterflexed and retroverted
- retrofelxed and retroverted.
What problems can an abnormally positioned uterus cause?
Normally doesn’t cause any problems
a retroverted uterus lies directly above the vagina so is more likely to prolapse when there is increased abdominal pressure.
What are the 3 histological layers of the uterus?
- peritoneum (known as perimetrium)
- myometrium (smooth muscle layer, undergoes hyperplasia and hypertrophy to help expell the foetus at birth)
- endometrium-further subdivided.
What are the 2 distinctive layers fo the endometrium?
(deep) stratum basalis
(sueprfiical) statum functionalis
Which layer of the uterus is shed during menstruation?
The startum functionalis.
Also responds to the oestrogens to proliferate, and becomes secretory in response to the progesterones.
What are the main ligaments of the uterus?
- broad ligament
- round ligament
- ovarian ligament
- cardinal ligament
- uterosacral ligament