SUGER anatomy: female genitalia Flashcards
what are the female gonads? (primary reproductive organs)
the ovaries
how many ovaries are there?
ovaries are paired oval organs (2)
where do the ovaries develop?
within the mesonephric ridge
what is the mesovarium?
- part of broad ligament on uterus
- is a double fold of peritoneum/mesentery
what is the role of the mesovarium? (2)
it attaches the ovaries to the posterior surface of the broad ligament
it is where Neurovascular structures enter the hilum of the ovary
what is the broad ligament of the uterus?
= a double layer of peritoneum enveloping the uterus
sheet that connects the sides of the uterus to the walls and floor of the pelvis.
where does an ovary commonly lie?
within ovarian fossa (depression in lateral wall of pelvis)
what are the main 2 roles of the ovaries?
- to produce oocytes (female gametes)
2. to produce sex steroid hormones
what are the 3 different Parts of the ovaries histologically ?
- surface - germinal epithelium
- cortex - has follicles that each contain an oocyte
- medulla - contains the neurovascular structures that enter hilum of the ovary
the suspensory ligament of ovary
- where is it?
- what structures does it contain?
- goes out from mesovarium to pelvic wall
- contains neurovascular structures
the ligament of ovary - where is it?
aka. ovarian ligament
- extends from theovary to thefundusof the uterus
- becomes round ligament
the round ligament
- uterine horns to the labia majora, passing through the inguinal canal
- supports uterus
what are the 3 mesenteries that make up the posterior surface of the broad ligament
mesometrium
mesovarium
mesoalpinx
what arteries supply the ovaries?
ovarian (gonadal) arteries from aorta
uterine arteries
what is the venous drainage of the ovaries?
paired ovarian veins
what is the innervation of the ovaries?
sympathetic - ovarain plexus
parasympathetic - uterine plexus
which ligament do the nerves travel through to reach hilum of the ovaries?
suspensory ligament of the ovary
what are the 3 roles of the vagina?
- female organ of sexual intercourse
- childbirth
- menstruation
where does the vagina start?
external vaginal orifice (between the labia minora)
where does the vagina end?
at the cervix
is the vagina in the pelvic cavity?
- upper 2/3 in pelvic cavity
- lower 1/3 in perineum
what is the perineum?
- area between the anus and genitals,
eg. vaginal opening to the anus
or the scrotum to the anus.
is the vagina anterior or posterior to:
- bladder and urethra
- rectum and anal canal
- posterior
2. anterior
how would you describe the shape of the vagina?
H shaped tunnel
how would you describe the structure of the vagina?
fibromuscular tube
collapsed ant/post walls
where is semen retained after intravaginal ejaculation?
within posterior fornix
there are 2 domes around the cervix called the anterior and posterior fornices
what is the most internal epithelium of the vagina? how does it provide protection?
- stratified squamous
- lubricated by cervical mucus
what are the papillae in the vagina?
- smooth round bumps on the labia minora
- found in 2nd most inner layer of vagina (elastic lamina propria)
what are the muscle layers in the vagina?
2 smooth muscles that create the Fibromuscular layer
- inner circular
- outerlongitudinal
what is the most external layer of the vagina?
the adventitia
- fibrous layer that provides strength and binds to surrounding structures
what is the arteriole supply to the vagina?
- uterine and vagina arteries (from internal iliac)
describe the venous drainage of the vagina?
vaginal venous plexus → uterine vein → internal iliac veins
what gives the vagina its Parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation?
the uterovaginal plexus
what is the somatic innervation of the inferior 1/5 of vagina?
- the deep perineal nerve (branch of pudendal)
what is a secondary sex organ? give an example of a female one
- an organ in the reproductive tract that matures during puberty
- eg. the uterus
how is the structure of the uterus adapted to accommodate a fetus?
- hollow
- muscular
what is the role of the uterus?
maintanance and transportation of gametes
what are the 3 parts to the uterus ?
- fundus
- body
- cervix
what is the purpose of the fundus of the uterus?
it connects the body to the uterine/fallopian tubes
which part of the uterus lies on the superior surface (on top of) the bladder ?
the body
what is the function of the body of the uterus?
site for implantation of blastocyst
which part of the uterus is different structurally, histologically and functional to the other 2 parts?
the cervix (bottom part, connects to vagina)
what are the 3 tissue layers of the fundus and body of the uterus?
- peritoneum (continuous with abdominal)
- myometrium (thick smooth muscle, distends in pregnancy)
- endometrium (inner mucous membrane lining where blastocyst implants)
what are the 2 subparts to the endometrium lining?
a. superficial stratum functionalis
(responsive to sex hormones, is shed in mensuration)
b. deep striatum basalis
(cells regenerate the superficial layer after shedding)
what are the attachments of the cardinal ligament?
- at base of broad ligament
- from cervix to lateral pelvic walls
what are the functions of the cardinal ligament?
- contains uterine artery/vein
- support to uterus
what are the attachments of the uterosacral ligament?
from the cervix to the sacrum
sacrum = bony structure that is located at the base of the lumbar vertebrae and that is connected to the pelvis.
arterial supply to uterus?
uterine arteries
venous drainage of uterus?
plexus in broad ligament -> uterine veins
what is the sympathetic innervation of the uterus?
uterovaginal plexus
what is the parasympathetic innervation of the uterus?
pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4)
what is the afferent innervation of the uterus?
ascend through theinferior hypogastric plexus to enter the spinal cord viaT10-T12 andL1 nerve fibres.
what are the 2 parts to the cervix?
the ectocervix - projects into the vagina (distal)
the endocervical canal - proximal
which part of cervix has stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium?
the ectocervix (distal)
which part of cervix has mucus-secreting simple columnar epithelium?
the endocervical canal (proximal)
what are the 2 openings called either side of the endocervical canal ?
the internal os - opens to uterine cavity
the external os - opens to ectocervix and vagina
how does the cervix facilitate the passage of sperm into the uterine cavity?
via dilation of the external and internal os
how does the cervix maintain sterility of the upper female reproductive tract? (3)
- sheds endometrium frequently
- thick cervical mucous
- the external os is narrow
what muscle helps to stabilise the position of the cervix?
the levator ani muscle
where do the uterine/Fallopian tubes run?
- in upper border of broad ligament
what is the role of the uterine tubes?
- to carry ova from ovary to uterine cavity
2. site of fertilisation
what is the narrow part of the uterine tube, that is closest to the uterus, called?
the isthmus
what is the 2nd part of uterine tube called? it is the site of fertilisation
the (dilated) ampulla
what is the 3rd, funnel shaped part of uterine tube called?
the infundibulum
how is the infundibulum able to capture ovum on the surface of the ovary?
with its fimbrae - finger like projections on free edge
how does the ultrastructure of the uterine tube help the ovum reach the uterus?
- its inner mucosa layer is lined with cells that waft the ovum
- smooth muscle layer undergoes peristalsis (when oestrogen levels are high)
what are the 2 types of cells in the inner mucosa layer of the uterine tubes?
- ciliated columnar epithelial cells
- peg cells (non-ciliated secretory)
what are the arteries and veins that supply/drain the uterine tubes?
uterine and ovarian
arteries /veins
sympathetic and parasympathetic of the uterine tubes?
theovariananduterine (pelvic) plexuses.
what is the name for all the parts of the female external genitalia?
the vulva
what are the 3 roles of the vulva?
- sensory tissue during sexual intercourse
- Assists in micturition by directing the flow of urine
- Protects the internal reproductive tract from infection.
what arteries supply the vluva?
internal pudendal arteries
branches of the internal iliac arteries
what are the 4 nerves that innervate the vulva?
- ilioinguinal nerve,
- genital branch of genitofemoral nerve,
- pudendal nerve
- the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh.
what is the main difference between the Labia majoraand Labia minora?
labia majora - 2 hairbearing external skin folds
labia minora - 2 hairless folds of skin, which lie within the labia majora.
the fusion of which structure forms the mons pubis?
the 2 labia majora folds
where is the mons pubis?
subcutaneous fat pad anterior to pubic symphysis
what are the labia majora and minora embryologically derived from?
Labia majora - labioscrotal swellings
Labia minora - urethral folds
what structure fuses to form the hood of the clitoris?
the 2 Labia minorafolds fuse anteriorly
what structure does the posterior fusion of the 2 Labia minorafolds form?
- forms a fold of skin
- called the fourchette
what structure extends posteriorly either side of the vaginal opening?
- the Labia minora
what are the 2 openings in the vulva? which is the larger hole?
opening of the urethra:
- the urethra orifice/ urinary meatus
opening of the vagina:
- the external vaginal orifice/vagina introitus
- LARGER hole
what is the collective name for the openings of the vulva?
the Vestibule of the vagina
- area enclosed by labia minora
- from just below clitoris to just before the fourchette
- smooth surface
- contains the urethra and the vaginal orifice
what are the vestibular glands?
2 sets of glands within the vestibule
- the greater vestibular/ bartholins glands
- the lesser vestibular/skenes glands
where are bartholins/the greater vestibular glands ?
either side of the posterior end of the vaginal opening
what is the role of the bartholins/the greater vestibular glands?
secrete lubricating mucus from small ducts during sexual arousal
where are skenes/the lesser vestibular glands ?
near the urethral opening (anterior to)
where is the pea-sized clitoris located?
under/posterior to the clitoral hood
before/anterior to the urethral opening
what 2 erectile tissues form the clitoris?
- erectile corpora cavernosa
- corpus spongiosum
what features make the clitoris similar to the penis?
- similar embryologically (derived from the genital tubercle)
- both become engorged with blood during sexual stimulation
- both are formed from erectile tissue
- both have sensitive glans
- both supplied by internal pedundal artery
name the thin sheet-like membrane that partially covers the vaginal opening
the hymen
where is the urinary meatus located?
- posterior to the clitoris
- anterior to vaginal opening
- in vestibule
where is the vaginal opening located?
- posterior to opening of the urethra
- in vestibule, flanked by labia minora
what is the function of the urethra orifice?
it is a hole that leads to the bladder
where urine passes out of body
