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