The Female Reproductive System Flashcards
List the external genital organs
- help by female perineum
- mons pubis
- labia majora
- labia minora
- clitoris
- vestibule
- vestibular glands
- vestibular bulb p.24
List the female internal genital organs
- vagina
- cervix
- uterus
- Fallopian tubes
- ovaries
Describe the mons pubis
- subcutaneous adipose tissue anterior to the pubic symphysis
- skin overlying the mons pubis is covered with ta triangular patch of pubic hair
What is the role of pubic hair ?
Protection against external bacterias
Describe the labia majora
- two longitudinal skin folds covered with pubic hair
- most lateral part of the vulva
- extending from the mons pubis to the perineum
Describe the pudendal cleft
- containing the labia minora and vestibule
- merges anteriorly (anterior commissure) and posteriorly (posterior commissure)
- homologous to scrotum in male
Describe the labial minora
- thin and hairless skin folds found between the labia majora
- surrounds the vaginal vestibule and its urethral and vaginal orifices
- contributes to the formation of the prepuce and frenulum of the clitoris
Describe the clitoris
- erectile organ
- analogue to the male penis
- located at the most superior part of the vulvar vestibule
- surrounded by the anterior part of the labia minora
- three parts : root body and glans - the body consists in two corpora cavernosa and two attachement points (crura)
Describe the vestibule (female genitals)
- region between labia minora
- contains the vaginal orifice, opening of the urethra, openings of the excretory ducts of the grater and lesser vestibular glands
Describe the vestibular glands
- greater vestibular : Bartholin’s gland, homologous of bulbourethral gland in male - lubrication of the vulva
- lesser vestibular : Skene or paraurethral gland : located between urethral and vaginal orifices : homologous to the male prostate
Describe the vestibular bulb (female genitals)
- pair of subcutaneous erectile tissues analogous to the penile bulb and corpus spongiosum in male
What are the blood supplies of the external genitals ?
- pudendal arteries
What is the innervation of the mons pubis and anterior labia ?
- anterior labial nerves, which derives from the lumbar plexus
What is the innervation of the posterior aspect of the vulva ?
Pudendal nerve and its branches (posterior labial nerves) and branches from the posterior cutaneous nerve tight
What is the innervation of the clitoris ?
Dorsal nerve of the clitoris
Describe the vagina
Female internal genital organ
Fribromuscular tube composed of two walls, anterior (7,5 cm) and posterior (8-10 cm)
Extends postero superiorly from the vulva to the uterus
Roles ares : sexual intercourse, childbirth, menstruations
Describe the orientation of the vagina
Standing : upward-backward position forming 45° angle with the uterus
Lying : forming a 60° angle with uterus
The angle varies depending on the content of the bladder and colon
What are the anatomical relations of the vagina
Anterior : bladder and urethra
Posterior : recto uterine pouch, rectum and anal canal
Lateral : ureters, levatore ani muscle
What are the blood supplies of the vagina ?
- Uterine and vaginal arteries, which are ramifications of the internal iliac artery
- Vaginal venous plexus that drains into the internal iliac veins via the uterine vein
Describe the innervation of the vagina
- autonomic nervous system
- parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves from utero vaginal nerves plexus
- 1/5 : somatic innervation via the deep perineal nerve (branch of pudendal nerve)
Describe the cervix
- lower portion of the uterus
- connects the vagina with the main body of the uterus
- composed of two regions : ectocervix and endocervical canal
What is the ectocervix ?
Portion of the cervix that porjects into the vagina with external os that marks the transition from ectocervix to the endocervical canal.
What is the endocervical canal ?
More proximal and internal part of the cervix, with the internal os, where the endocervical canal ends and the uterine cavity begins.
What are the main functions of the cervix ?
- Facilitates the passage of sperm inside the uterine cavity via dilation of the external and internal os.
- maintains sterility of the upper femal reproductive tract and protects against pathogens.
What are the blood supplies of the cervix ?
- Uterine artery
- via a plexus in the broad ligament that drains into the uterine veins
What is the innervation of the cervix ?
Inferior nerve fibers of the uterovaginal plexus
Describe the uterus
- 8 cm long hollow muscular organ capable of expansion to accommodate a growing fœtus
- connects distally to the vagina and laterally to the Fallopian tubes.
- composed of four main parts :
Fundus
Body
Isthmus
Cervix
What are the possible positions for the uterus ?
In general, postero superior to the bladder and anterior to the rectum
- anterverted
- anterflexed
Name the 5 uterine ligaments
- broad ligament : double layer of peritoneum attaching the sides of the uterus to the pelvis
- round ligament : extending from the uterine horns to the labia majora via the inguinal canal to maintain the anteverted position of the uterus
- ovarian ligament : joins the ovaries to the uterus
- cardinal ligament : extends from the cervix to the lateral pelvic walls it contains the uterine artery and vein in addition to supporting the uterus
- uterosacral ligament : extends form the cervix to the sacrum. It provides support to the uterus
Which ligament attaches the sides of the uterus to the pelvis ?
The broad ligament
Which ligament maintains the anteverted position of the uterus ?
The round ligament
Which ligament joints the ovaries to the uterus ?
The ovarian ligament
Which ligament attaches the cervix to the lateral pelvic walls ?
Cardinal ligament
Which ligament extends from the cervix to the sacrum ?
The uterosacral ligament
Which ligaments provide support to the uterus ?
Broad ligament
Cardinal ligament
Uterosacral ligament
Which ligament contains the uterine artery and vein ?
The cardinal ligament
What is the blood supply of the uterus ?
- Uterine artery
- Via a plexus in the broad ligament that drains into the uterine veins
What is the innervation of the uterus ?
- sympathetic nerve : uterovaginal plexus, comprises the anterior and intermediate parts of the inferior hypo gastric plexus
- parasympathetic nerve : derived from the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4)
- the afferent fibers mostly ascend through the inferior hypogastric plexus to enter the spinal cord via T10-T12 and L1 nerve fibers
Describe the Fallopian tubes
Muscular J-shaped tubes found in the upper border of the broad ligament, extending laterally from the uterus opening in the abdominal cavity, near the ovaries. Composed of 4 parts : - fimbriae - infundibulum - ampulla - isthmus
What is the function of the Fallopian tubes ?
Assist in the transfer and transport of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus.
What is the blood supply of the Fallopian tubes ?
- uterine and ovarian arteries
- uterine and ovarian veins
What is the innervation of the Fallopian tubes ?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation : nerve fibers from the ovarian and uterine (pelvic) plexus. Sensory afferent fibers run from T11 to L1.
Define the ovaries
Female gonades undergoing different phases during a cycle. Paired, oval organs attached to the posterior surface of the broad ligament of the uterus by the mesovarium.
What are the functions of the ovaries ?
Reproductive function and hormonal regulation. They produce oocytes (female gamete) in preparation for fertilization. They produce sex steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone in response to pituitary gonadotrophins (LH and FSH).
Name the ligaments attached to the ovary
Suspensory ligament of ovary
Ligament of ovary
What are the blood supply of the ovaries
Paired ovarian arteries, arising directly from the abdominal aorta and also contribution of the uterine arteries.
Paired ovarian veins :
- left ovarian veins drains into the left renal vein
- right ovarian veins drains directly into the inferior vena cava.
What is the innervation of the ovaries ?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic from the ovarian and uterine (pelvic) plexus. Nerves reach the ovaries via the suspensory ligaments of the ovaries to enter the ovary at the hilium.
