Repro- Anatomy And Histology Flashcards
What are the female external organs?
Inferior 2/3 vagina Labia majora Labia minora Vestibule Clitoris
What are the female internal organs?
Ovary Fallopian tube Uterus Cervix Superior 1/3 of vagina
What are the 2 main functions of the ovaries?
To produce oocytes (female gametes) in preparation for Fertilisiation
To produce sex steroid hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) in response to pituitary gonadotrophs - LH and FSH
What are the three components of the ovary?
Medulla
Cortex
Hilum
What cells are found on the outermost surface of the ovary?
Cuboidal epithelia- germinal epithelium (not germ cell origin)
Describe the cortex of the ovary
Largely comprised of CT stroma
Supports thousands of follicles
Each primordial follicle contains an oocyte surrounded by a singular layer of follicular cells
Describe the medulla of the ovary
Composed of supporting stroma and large neurovascular network which enters the hilum of the ovary from the mesovarium
What three ligaments are associated with the ovary?
Ligament of the ovary
Broad ligament
Suspension ligament
What is the suspensory ligament of the ovary?
Fold of peritoneum extending from mesovarium to the pelvic wall- contains neurovascular structures
What is the ligament of the ovary?
Peritoneal ligament which extends from ovary to the fundus of the uterus (then continues from uterus to CT of labia majora as the round ligament of the uterus via the inguinal canal)
What is the broad ligament?
Mesentery for the ovary, Fallopian tube and uterus
What is the arterial supply to the ovary?
AA–> ovarian arteries
What is the venous drainage of the ovary?
L ovarian vein –> L Renal vein –> IVC
R ovarian vein –> IVC
What is the lymphatic drainage of the ovary?
Para aortic lymph nodes
What is the nerve supply to the ovary?
Nerve supply runs via the suspensory ligament of the ovary with the Vasculature
Parasympathetic (uterine pelvic plexus) and sympathetic (ovarian pelvic plexus) nerve fibres
What are the Fallopian/ uterine tubes?
Muscular J shaped tubes which lie in the upper border of the broad ligament
Extend laterally from the uterus and open into abdominal cavity near the ovaries
What is the main function of the Fallopian tube?
Assists in transfer and transport of ovum from the ovary to the uterus
How does the ultra structure of the Fallopian tube assist with its function of transport?
Inner mucosa- lined with ciliated columnar epithelia and peg cells (non ciliated secretory cells) ; waft ovum towards the uterus and supply it with nutrients
Smooth muscle layer- contracts to assist transportation of ova and sperm - muscle is sensitive to sex steroids so peristalsis is greatest when oestrogen levels are high; also muscle thickens as it gets closer to the uterus
What are the 5 components of the Fallopian tube?
Fimbriae- ciliated finger like projections - capture ovum from ovary
Infundibulum- funnel shaped opening to which fimbriae are attached
Ampulla- widest section of Fallopian tube where fertilisation often occurs
Isthmus- narrow section connecting ampulla to uterus
Ostium- part nearest uterus
What is the arterial supply to the Fallopian tubes?
AA –> ovarian arteries
Internal ilIac artery –> uterine arteries
What is the venous drainage of the Fallopian tubes?
L ovarian vein –> L renal vein –> IVC
R ovarian vein –> IVC
Uterine veins –> internal iliac veins
What is the lymphatic drainage of the Fallopian tube?
iliac, sacral and aortic lymph nodes
What is the innervation of the Fallopian tubes?
Sympathetic (ovarian pelvic plexus) and parasympathetic (uterine pelvic plexus) nerve fibres
Sensory afferent fibres run from T11 to L1
What is the uterus?
Secondary sex organ - which matures in puberty under the influence of sex hormones produced from primary sex organs (ovaries)
Thick walled muscular organ
Capable of expansion to accommodate growing foetus
Connected distally to vagina and laterally to Fallopian tubes
What is the main function of the uterus?
Maintenance and transportation of gametes
What are the 3 main components of the uterus?
Fundus - top of uterus, above entry point of fallopian tubes
Body- usual site of implant of blastocyst
Cervix - lower part of uterus linking it with vagina- structurally and functionally different to rest of uterus
Describe the position of the uterus
Varies with degree of distension of the bladder
Uterus is anteverted wrt vagina - rotated forwards towards anterior surface of body
Uterus is anteflexed wrt cervix - flexed towards anterior surface of body
So uterus lies I mediately posterosuperior to the bladder and anterior to the rectum
What are the three layers of the body and fundus of the uterus?
Perimetrium- double layered membrane continuous with abdominal peritoneum
Myometrium- thick smooth muscular layer; cells undergo hypertrophy and hyperplasia during pregnancy in preparation to expel fetus in birth
Endometrium - inner mucous membrane lining uterus
What are the two layers of the endometrium of the uterus?
Deep stratum basalis - changes little throughout the menstrual cycle and shed at menstruation
Superficial stratum functionalis - proliferate in response to oestrogens and become secretory in response to progesterone, shed in menstruation and regenerates from cells in stratum basalis layer
What are the 5 main ligaments of the uterus?
Tone of the pelvic floor provides primary support for the uterus
Ligaments provide further support:
Broad ligament - double layer of peritoneum attaching at side of uterus to pelvic wall; acts as a mesentery fortune uterus and maintains its position
Round ligament - remnant of gubernaculum from the uterine horn to the labia majora via inguinal canal- maintains anteverted position of uterus
Ovarian ligament - connects ovaries to uterus (then continues as round ligament)
Cardinal ligament - base of broad ligament from cervix to lateral pelvic walls - contains uterine artery and vein and gives support to the uterus
Uterosacral ligament - cervix to sacrum
What is the arterial supply to the uterus?
Internal iliac artery –> uterine artery
What is the venous drainage of the uterus?
Venous plexus in broad ligament –> uterine veins –> internal iliac vein
What is the lymphatic drainage of the uterus?
Iliac, sacral, aortic and inguinal lymph nodes
What is the innervation of the uterus?
Sympathetic (uterovaginal plexus- anterior and intermediate parts of hypogastric plexus) and parasympathetic (pelvic splanchnic nerves - S2-S4)
Afferent fibres mostly ascend through inferior hypogastric plexus to enter spinal cord via T10-T12 and L1 nerve fibres
What is the cervix?
Most distal part of the uterus, connects vagina with main body of uterus
What are the two main functions of the cervix
Facilitates the passage of sperm into the uterine cavity - achieved by dilation of external and internal os
Maintains sterility of upper female reproductive tract:
- cervix and all structures superior to it are sterile
- ultimately protects the uterine cavity and upper genital tract by preventing bacteria invasion
- environment maintained by:
–> 1) frequent shedding of endometrium
–> 2) thick cervical mucus
–> 3) narrow external os
What are the 2 main components of the cervix?
Endocervical canal - inner part of cervix; lined by mucus secreting simple columnar epithelia, between internal os and external os
Ectocervix- portion of the cervix that projects into the vagina; lined by stratified squamous non kerr finished epithelia; external os is the opening into it and marks the transition of epithelia
What is the arterial supply to the cervix?
Internal iliac artery –> uterine artery
What is the venous drainage of the cervix?
Venous plexus in broad ligament –> uterine veins –> internal iliac veins
What is the lymphatic drainage of the cervix?
Iliac, sacral, aortic and inguinal lymph nodes
What is the innervation of the cervix?
Inferior nerve fibres of uterovaginal plexus
What is the vagina?
Distensible muscular tube approx 9cm long
Extends upwards and backwards from vestibule of external genitalia to cervix
What are the functions of the vagina?
During sexual intercourse the vagina receives the penis and ejaculate assisting in its transport to the uterus
Expand to provide a channel delivery of a newborn from the uterus to the outside world during childbirth
Serves as a canal for menstrual fluid and tissue to leave the body
Describe the position of the vagina
Anterior to vagina is the bladder and urethra
Posterior to vagina is rectum and anus
Lateral to vagina is the ureter and uterine artery
Describe the ultra structure of the vagina
Stratified squamous non keratinised epithelia - provides protection and is lubricated by cervical mucus (vagina does not contain glands)
Oestrogen stimulates the epithelia to secrete glycogen which is digested by lactobacillus vaginalis to produce lactate and maintain a low vaginal pH and prevent infection
Elastic lamina propria - dense CT, projects papillae into overlying epithelium, larger veins located here
Fibromuscular layer- inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle
Adventitia- fibrous layer which provides additional strength to the vagina whilst also binding it to surrounding structures
What is the arterial supply to the vagina?
Internal iliac artery –> uterine and vaginal arteries
What is the venous drainage of the vagina?
Vaginal venous plexus –> uterine vein –> internal iliac vein
What is the lymphatic drainage of the vagina?
Iliac and superficial inguinal lymph nodes
What is the innervation of the vagina?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibres (uterovaginal plexus)- base of broad ligament either side of supravaginal part of cervix
Superior part of vagina supplied by inferior fibres from uterogenital plexus
Inferior part of vagina supplied by deep perineal nerve branch of pudendal nerve
What are the three main functions of the vulva of the female external genitalia?
Acts as a sensory tissue In sexual intercourse
Assists in micturition, by directing flow of urine
Defend internal female reproductive tract from infection
What is the mons pubis?
Fat pad at anterior of vulva covered with pubic hair
What is labia majora?
2 hair bearing external folds
Fuse posteriorly and extend anteriorly into mons pubis
What is the labia minora?
2 hairless skin folds which lie within the labia majora
Fuse anteriorly to form the prepuce (hood) of the clitoris and extend posteriorly either side of the vaginal opening
Fuse again posterior to vestibule - fold of skin = fourchette