Session 2 ILOs - Female Anatomy Flashcards

1
Q

List the internal and external genitalia of the female

A

Internal genitalia:

  • Ovaries
  • Fallopian tubes
  • Uterus
  • Cervix,
  • Vagina

External genitalia:

  • Labia minora and Labia majora (the vulva)
  • Clitoris
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2
Q

Describe the main anatomical structures of the female reproductive tract (ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina)

A

Ovaries:

  • Held in place by the suspensory ligament of the ovary
  • Doesn’t connect to the fallopian tubes directly, there is a small gap (opening into the peritoneal cavity)

Fallopian tubes:
- Ampulla (most common site of fertilisation)
- Fimbrae sweep released egg into the fallopian tube
Important = fallopian tubes open into the peritoneal cavity!!

Uterus:

  • Uterus and ovaries held in place by multiple ligaments (broad ligament, round ligament, ovarian ligament, suspensory ligament of the ovary)
  • Normal position is anteverted and anteflexed (maintained by round ligament)

Vagina:
- Lined with non-keranised stratified squamous epithelium

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3
Q

Outline the roles of the pelvic floor

A
  1. Support of abdominopelvic viscera (bladder, intestines, uterus etc.)
  2. Resistance to increases in intra-pelvic/abdominal pressure (during activities such as coughing or lifting heavy objects)
  3. Urinary and faecal continence
    - The muscle fibres have a sphincter action on the rectum and urethra, they relax to allow urination and defecation
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4
Q

Outline common causes and risk factors for pelvic floor

dysfunction

A

Affects roughly 40% of women

Causes and risk factors together (causes thought to be multifactorial):

  • Age
  • Pregnancy (parity)
  • Vaginal delivery
  • Obesity and other causes of chronic raised intra-abdominal pressure
  • Oestrogen deficiency
  • Neurological or genetic causes
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5
Q

Describe symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse

A

Symptoms:

  • History of dragging sensation or lump
  • Feeling of incomplete emptying of bladder
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6
Q

Describe the classes of female genital mutilation

A

Class 1: Removal of clitoris

Class 2: Removal of clitoris and labia minor (maybe labia major)

Class 3: Narrowing of vaginal orifice and cutting labia minor and labia major

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7
Q

Describe the histological features of the ovary, endometrium, cervix and vagina

A

Ovary:
- Surface covered by a single layer of cuboidal (and, in some parts, almost squamous cells)

Endometrium:

  • Uterus is made up of an external layer of smooth muscle (myometrium) and an internal layer (endometrium)
  • Endometrium is made of three layers: stratum compactum, stratum spongiosum and stratum basalis

Cervix:

  • Cervix has more connective tissue and less smooth muscle (compared to body of uterus)
  • Portion of the cervix that projects into the vagina, is covered with a stratified squamous epithelium

Vagina:
- Non-keranised stratified squamous epithelium

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8
Q

Explain the role of the pelvic floor in pelvic organ support

A

Occurs via 3 mechanisms:

  1. Suspension (sling like role)
    - Work against gravity
    - Cardinal ligaments (cervix and upper vagina)
    - Uterosacral ligaments (back of cervix and upper vagina at sides)
    - Round ligament (maintain anteverted position)
  2. Attachment (between structure)
    - Arcus tendinous fascia pelvis (the white line)
    - Endopelvic fascia (from white line laterally, to vaginal wall medially)
    - Because urethra lies anterior and superior to the white line, gets compressed against it during increased intraabdominal pressure (urinary continence)
  3. Fusion (of different muscle groups that fuse together)
    - Involves urogenital diaphragm and perineal body
    - Lower half of vagina is supported by fusions (perineal body, levator ani and urethra)
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