The Woman Flashcards
What is the fibrous outer structure of the ovary called?
Tunica Albuginea
What is the ovary enclosed in?
What happens to the follicles an ovary contains when stimulated by FSH
Parietal Peritoneum
Produce a primary follicle which will mature to release an ovum
The ovary may develop ovarian cysts derived from what?
They can be asymptomatic or lead to torsion/ rupture/ other complications.
What is a common cause of infertility?
From follicles
Polycystic ovaries (more than 10 cysts)
What does the Suspensory ligament of the ovary do?
Allows passage of ovarian artery and vein to ovary
What is the origin of the ovarian artery?
What about the veinous and lymphatic drainage of ovaries
Directly from abdominal aorta
Same as testes
The Fallopian Tubes allow passage of ovum to uterus.
Describe the tubes and how they transport an ovum
- Female reproductive tract opens into peritoneal cavity, so tubes have Fimbriae to increase SA to catch the ovum
- Ovum channelled into Infundibulum, continues to ampulla (most common site of fertilisation)
- Continues into Isthmus then into uterus
What are the Fallopian tubes lined with?
Suggest 1 cause of these tubes being blocked and 1 outcome
Cilia
- Scarring in chronic infection
- Infertility
What are the 3 parts of the uterus?
What does the cervix empty into?
- Fundus (top)
- Body
- Cervix
The vagina
Where is the uterus relative to bladder?
Behind and above
What happens to Fundus of Uterus during pregnancy?
What is it covered by?
Enlarges
Parietal peritoneum
What is Cervical Ectropion?
Is this abnormal?
When the cells lining the inner cervical canal spread to the outer surface
Not abnormal, not uncommon
Name 3 ligaments around uterus
- Round ligament (Remnant of gubernaculum)
- Ovarian ligament (continuous with round, remnant of “”)
- Broad ligament (double fold of peritoneum, connects uterus to lateral pelvic wall)
Describe the 3 subdivisions of the broad ligament
- Mesovarium: Surrounding ovary
- Mesometrium: Between uterus and pelvic wall
- Mesosalpinx: Surrounding Fallopian tubes
What does the uterine artery originate from?
What does it run between?
Internal iliac artery, runs between layers of broad ligament
What are the vesicouterine and rectouterine pouch?
Why are they important clinically?
Vesicouterine: Peritoneum pouch between uterus and bladder anteriorly
Rectouterine: Peritoneum pouch between uterus and rectum posteriorly
Can be a site of fluid collection (Blood/ pus)
What is Endometriosis?
What is it often associated with?
Ectopic endometrial tissue is dispersed to various sites along peritoneal cavity and beyond
Infertility, severe period pain or both
What is the External Os?
What is internal os?
E: Opening of cervix into vagina
I: Opening of uterus into cervix
What is the function of the Simple Columnar epithelia lining the cervix?
Produce mucus (which changes in pH and consistency according to menstrual cycle) to help facilitate/ prevent sperm entry
What is the region close to the external os called?
What changes here?
What is this region most at risk of?
- Transitional zone
- Cervical to vaginal epithelium
- most at risk of malignant changes (if early can be identified through cervical screening)
What is the normal angle between cervix and vagina called?
What is the normal angle between cervix and uterus called?
- Anteversion (C and V)
- Anteflexion (C and U)
What is the vagina lined with?
What bacteria does it contain? Why?
Stratified squamous
Contains lactobacilli to regulate pH and keep environment acidic (to prevent infections)
What is the vagina adapted to do during birth and intercourse?
What about lubrication?
Birth- expand
Intercourse- epithelia designed to resist friction
- Can’t provide its own lubrication, reliant on cervix secretions
What do vaginal bacteria use as a metabolic substrate?
Glycogen
What is the vulva?
What is it comprised of?
Can tumours occur here?
External genitalia, comprised of Labia Majora and Minora
Yes (vulval tumours)
