Repro. ANATOMY Flashcards
What are the functions of the Pelvis?
- Support of upper body when sitting and standing
- Transference of weight from vertebral column to femurs to allow standing and walking
- Attachments of muscles for locomotion + abdominal wall
- attachment for external genitalia
- Protection of pelvic organs, blood supply, nerve, venous and lymphatic drainage
- Passage for childbirth
The Bony pelvis consists of:
2 hip bones
Sacrum
Coccyx
Each hip bone is a fusion between:
Ilium
Ischium
Pubis
What is indicated by labels A, B and C
A - Iliac Crest
B - ASIS (Anterior Superior Iliac Spine)
C - Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine
What is indicated by labels A, B and C?
A - Iliac Crest
B - PSIS (Posterior Superior Iliac Spine)
C - Posterior Inferior Iliac Spine
What bony features are labelled below?
A - Ischiopubic ramus
B - Ischial tuberosity
C - Ischial spine
Which bony features of the Pubis are labelled below?
A - Ischiopubic ramus
B - Pubic arch
C - Sub-pubic angle
D - Pubic tubercle
E - Superior pubic ramus
What spaces within the pelvis are represented by the red and green lines here?
Red = Pelvic Inlet
Green = Pelvic Outlet
What bones form the borders of the Pelvic Inlet?
- Sacral Promontory
- Ilium
- Superior pubic ramus
- Pubic symphysis
What bones form the border of the Pelvic Outlet?
- Pubic Symphysis
- Ischiopubic Ramus
- Ischial Tuberosities
- Sacrotuberous ligaments
- Coccyx
What is the Pelvic Cavity?
- Lies within bony pelvis
- Contains pelvic organs + supporting tissues
- Continuous with abdominal cavity above
- Lies between pelvic inlet and pelvic floor
What are the palpable surface landmarks of the pelvis?
Iliac crest
ASIS
PSIS
Ischial tuberosity
Coccyx
Pubic symphysis (on deep palpation)
What bony features of the pelvis are labelled below?
A - Iliac Crest
B - Ischiopubic ramus
C - Superior Pubic Ramus
D - Ischial spine
What bony features of the pelvis are labelled below?
A - ASIS
B - Pubic Tubercle
C - Ischial tuberosity
D - Ischial spine
What bony features of the pelvis are labelled below?
A - Iliac crest
B - Ischiopubic ramus
C - Pubic arch
D - Superior pubic ramus
E - Ischial tuberosity
Which joints of the pelvis are labelled below?
A - Sacroiliac joint
B - Obturator foramen
C - Pubic symphysis
D - hip joint
What are the names of the labelled ligaments?
A - Sacrospinous ligament
B - Sacrotuberous ligament
C - Sacrospinous ligament
Give the name of the labelled structure below:
A - Greater sciatic foramen
B - Lesser sciatic foramen
Explain why the ligaments of the pelvis relax during later pregnancy
Sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments ensure inferior part of the sacrum is not pushed superiorly when weight is suddenly transferred vertically through vertebral column (e.g. when jumping or in late pregnancy)
Stops the sacrum from being pushed superiorly when transferring weight
What structures pass through obturator foramen?
Obturator nerve and vessels pass through obturator foramen via obturator canal
What does ‘Moulding’ refer to?
‘Moulding’ refers to movement of one bone over another to allow the foetal head to pass through the pelvis during labour.
What feature of the foetal skull allows for ‘moulding’ to occur during labour?
Fontanelles
The presence of fontanelles (sutures between bones not fully formed and membrane spaces) allows for the bones to slide over each other.
What is the ‘vertex’ of a foetal skull?
Area of the foetal skull
Outlined by anterior + posterior fontanelles and the parietal eminences
True or False:
The biparietal diameter of the foetal skull is LONGER than the occipitofrontal diameter
FALSE FALSE FALSE
The occipitofrontal diameter is longer than the biparietal diameter (the foetal skull is longer than it is wide)
What is the ideal position for the foetus to enter the pelvic cavity and why?
Foetus should ideally enter pelvic cavity transversely (facing right or left direction)
Within the pelvic inlet, the transverse diameter is wider than the AP diameter (foetus facing transversely because the occipitofrontal diameter is longer than biparietal diameter)
What does it mean by the ‘station’ in regards to foetal descent in the pelvis?
Station = distance of the foetal head from the ischial spines
-ve number = head is superior to spines
+ve number = head is inferior to spines
Explain the descend of the foetal head during labour
- Enters the pelvic cavity/pelvic inlet in transverse position
- While descending through cavity head should rotate within cavity
- Should be in flexed position (chin on chest)
- At pelvic outlet, the AP diameter is wider than transverse so ideally head should leave in occipitoanterior (OA) position
- During delivery foetal head should be in extension
What is the next step once the baby’s head has been delivered?
Once head is delivered, there is a further rotation required so that shoulders and the rest of the baby can be delivered
What parts of the female reproductive system lie within the Pelvic Cavity?
Ovaries
Uterine Tubes
Uterus
Superior part of vagina
What parts of the female reproductive system lie within the Perineum?
Inferior part of vagina
Perineal muscles
Bartholin’s Glands
Clitoris
Labia
In women, where does excess fluid within the peritoneal cavity tend to collect?
Abnormal fluid collects within the Pouch of Douglas (rectouterine pouch)
Most inferior part of peritoneal cavity in anatomical position
What is a clinical method of draining excess fluid from the peritoneal cavity in women?
Fluid collects in Pouch of Douglas
Drained via needle passed through posterior fornix of vagina
What is the name of these pouches formed in the floor of the peritoneal cavity?
A - Rectouterine pouch (Pouch of Douglas)
B - Vesico-uterine Pouch
Identify the following (include side):
A - Right ovary
B - Right uterine tube
C - Vesico-uterine pouch
D - Rectouterine Pouch (pouch of Douglas)
What feature is this arrow pointing to?
Broad Ligament of the uterus
What is the Broad Ligament of the uterus?
Double layer of peritoneum
Extends between uterus and the lateral walls & floor of pelvis
What is contained within the Broad Ligament?
Uterine Tubes
Proximal part of Round Ligament
What is the function of the Broad Ligament?
Helps maintain the uterus in its correct midline position
What is the Round Ligament?
Embryological remnant
Attaches to lateral aspect of uterus
What is the course of the Round Ligament?
Attaches to lateral aspect of uterus
Passes through deep inguinal ring to attach to superficial tissue of female perineum
(guides ovaries from original place on posterior abdominal wall to position in perineum)
Which ligaments are labelled?
A - Broad Ligament
B - Round Ligament
Describe the layers of the body of the uterus?
3 layers
Perimetrium (outer)
Myometrium (muscle layer)
Endometrium (sheds during menstrual cycle)
What are Stone Babies?
Lithopedion
Embryo/baby develops in abdominal cavity but does not survive. If too large to be reabsorbed by the body the outside calcifies (part of a foreign body reaction) to shield the mother from the dead tissue and infection risk.
What are the 3 levels of support that hold the uterus in position?
- Strong ligaments (e.g. uterosacral ligament)
- Endopelvic fascia
- Muscles of pelvic floor (e.g. levator ani)
Weakness of these supports can result in Uterine Prolapse (uterus moves inferiorly)
What is the most common position for the uterus to sit and explain what this means?
Anteverted and Anteflexed
Anteverted - cervix tipped anteriorly relative to axis of vagina
Anteflexed - uterus tipped anteriorly relative to axis of cervix
(Mass of uterus lies over the bladder)
What is a common variation for the uterus to sit which is not the normal?
Retroverted + Retroflexed
Retroverted - cervix tipped posteriorly relative to axis of vagina
Retroflexed - uterus tipped posteriorly relative to axis of cervix
What area of the vagina must be sampled in a cervical screening?
Squamo-columnar Junction (Transformation Zone)
(must use speculum to open walls of vagina to visualise the cervix)
Where does fertilisation tend to occur?
Ampulla
True or False:
The uterine (fallopian) tubes usually lie symmetrically in the pelvic cavity
FALSE
Do not usually lie symmetrically
Explain the communication between uterine tubes (fimbriae) and the peritoneal cavity.
Why is this relevant clinically?
Fimbriated end of uterine tubes open into peritoneal cavity (communication between genital tract and peritoneal cavity)
Infection could pass between the two areas (PID > peritonitis, ectopic pregnancy)
Which clinical test is pictured below and what is it assessing?
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
Patency of tubes
(in this image the radiopaque dye can be seen spilling out of end of uterine tube and into peritoneal cavity suggesting that the tube is patent)
True or False:
The ovaries secrete oestrogen and progesterone in response to anterior pitutary hormones FSH + LH
TRUE
What is the rough size of a normal ovary and where is it located?
Almond sized and shaped
Located laterally in pelvic cavity
Sits within the Ovarian fossa in most people (shallow depression on lateral pelvis wall)
What is labelled below?
A - Anterior fornix
B - Posterior fornix
C - Lateral fornix
At what point are the vagina walls held apart?
Cervix
The vagina is a muscular tube - walls normally in contact
At superior part the cervix holds them apart forming a fornix (= space around the cervix)
What are the main structures felt for on palpation during Vaginal Digital Examination?
- Ischial Spines - laterally, 4 + 8 o’clock position
- Uterus position (e.g. anteverted) - bimanual palpation
- Adnexae - uterine tubes + ovaries, lateral fornix > press deeply in iliac fossa of same side (can detect masses or tenderness)
What are the borders of the diamond which forms the Urogenital and Anal Triangle?
Anterior - Pubic Symphysis
Posterior - coccyx
Lateral - Ischial spine
True or False:
The levator ani is one large muscle
FALSE
Made up of a number of smaller muscles
Skeletal muscle (voluntary), Forms majority of pelvic diaphragm
What is the function of the levator ani muscle?
Provides continual support for the pelvic organs
- Tonic contraction
- Reflexively contracts during times of increased intra-abdominal pressure
(weakness factor in prolapse)
What is the Perineal Body?
= Bundle of collagenous and elastic tissue into which the perineal muscles attach
Very important for pelvic floor strength and support
Located just deep to skin (can be damaged during labour)
What is the primary nerve of the perineum?
Pudendal Nerve (S2, 3, 4)
What is the Bartholin’s Gland in females?
aka Greater Vestibular Glands
Pea-sized compound alveolar glands located slightly posterior on right & left of vagina opening
Secretes mucous to lubricate vagina
Why are Bartholin’s Glands relevant clinically?
Can become infected quite easily and enlarge
Can be quite painful
What surface anatomy structures are labelled below?
A - Mons pubis
B - Labium majus
C - Labium minus
D - External Urethral Orifice
What surface anatomy structures are labelled below:
A - Clitoris
B - External Urethral Orifice
C - Vestibule
D - Vaginal Orifice (external opening into vagina)
What surface anatomy structures are labelled below:
A - Labium majus
B - Clitoris
C - Vestibule
D - Vaginal orifice
E - Anus
What are the borders of the bed of the breast?
From ribs 2-6
Lateral border of sternum to mid-axillary line
Name the structures of the breast labelled below:
A - Suspensory Ligaments (attach skin to breast)
B - Areola
C - Pectoralis Major
D - Lactating Lobules
Name the structures of the breast labelled below:
A - Retromammary Space (between fascia and breast)
B - Pectoralis Major
C - Non-lactating Lobules
D - Lactiferous Ducts
Name the structures of the breast labelled below:
A - Suspensory Ligaments
B - Retromammary Space
C - Lactiferous Ducts
D - Lactating Lobules
Explain the quadrants of the breast used to describe the position of a lump.
4 quadrants/clock face
9 o’clock = lateral, 3 o’clock = medial
12 o’clock = superior, 6 o’clock = inferior
9 >12 = Upper Outer
12 > 3 = Upper Inner
3> 6 = Lower Inner
6 > 9 = Lower Outer
Where does the majority of lymph from the breast drain to?
To ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes
Then to Supraclavicular nodes
What is the blood supply to the female breast?
Axillary (from Subclavian)
Internal Thoracic (internal mammary)