Uterus Anatomy Flashcards
1
Q
Function of uterus?
A
Mechanical protection, nutritional support, waste removal for embryo (week 1-8) + fetus (week 9 to delivery)
2
Q
What position does the uterus usually lie in? What term is used to describe a posterior tilt?
A
Anteflexion
Retroflexion
3
Q
Which ligaments support the uterus?
A
- Broad ligament
- Uterosacral ligaments (uterus to sacrum)
- Round ligaments (uterus through inguinal canal to CT of external genitalia)
- Lateral ligaments (base of uterus + vagina to pelvis)
- Limit movement + rotation of uterus
4
Q
What are the regions of the uterus?
A
- Fundus )above attachment of uterine tubes)
- Body
- Isthmus
- Cervix
5
Q
What is the blood supply of uterus?
A
Uterine arteries (branches of internal iliac arteries + ovarian arteries, which arise from AA inferior to renal arteries)
- extensively interconnected, reliable flow of blood despite changes to position + shape during pregnancy
6
Q
Innervation of uterus?
A
- Autonomic fibres from hypogastric plexus (sympathetic) and from S3 + S4 (parasympathetic)
- Sensory info reaches CNS through dorsal roots of spinal nerves T11 + T12
7
Q
What are the layers of the uterine wall?
A
- Outer perimetrium (covering fundus, posterior body + isthmus, serous membrane continuous with peritoneal lining)
- Myometrium (longitudinal, circular + oblique layers)
- Lamina propria
- Endometrium - glandular + vascular tissues support physiological demands of fetus
8
Q
Describe the histological features of the endometrium
A
- Simple columnar epithelium
- Functional zone (layer closest to uterine cavity + thickest layer)
contains most glands, sheds in menses - Outer basilar zone
contains terminal branches of tubular endometrial glands
9
Q
Describe the histological features of the myometrium
A
- Branches of uterine arteries form arcuate arteries
- Radial arteries supply straight arteries, which deliver blood to basilar zone + spiral arteries which deliver blood to functional zone
