WEEK 5: ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Flashcards
Where is the female reproductive system located?
in the pelvis
Outline the external and internal genitalia of the female reproductive system
EXTERNAL: Vulva
INTERNAL: vagina, uterus, oviduct, ovaries
What are the other names for the oviduct?
Uterine tube or fallopian tube
What is the other name for vulva?
Pudendum
State the 3 functions of the vulva
*Acts as sensory tissue during sexual intercourse
* Assists in micturition by directing the flow of urine
*Protects the internal female reproductive tract from infection.
What is the external female genitalia called?
vulva
Outline the 6 structures of the vulva
*Mon pubis: a subcutaneous fat pad located anterior to the pubic symphysis.
*Labia majora: two hair-bearing external skin folds
*Labia minora: two hairless folds of skin, which lie within the labia majora
*vestibule: the area enclosed by the labia minora.
*Bartholin’s gland: They are located either side of the vaginal orifice.
*Clitoris: located under the clitoral hood.
What 2 structures are formed by the fusion of labia minora
*anteriorly
*posteriorly
ANTERIORLY: hood of clitoris
POSTERIORLY: fourchette.
Name the structures that are found in the vestibule
*Openings of the vagina
*opening of the urethra
Name the structure which is a homologue of penis.
it is formed of erectile corpora cavernosa and becomes engorged with blood during sexual stimulation
Clitoris
What structure is formed by the fusion of labia majora?
Mon pubis
Name the artery that supplies blood to the vulva
pudendal arteries (branches of the internal iliac artery and femoral artery, respectively).
Name the venous drainage to the vulva
pudendal veins and small labial veins
Describe the lymphatic drainage of the vulva
*superficial inguinal lymph nodes.
Innervation to the vulva??
*Anterior – ilioinguinal nerve, genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve
*Posterior – pudendal nerve, posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh.
State the 3 functions of the female reproductive system
sexual intercourse
reproduce
menstruation
State the 3 functions of the vagina
*menstruation
*Birth canal
*Sexual intercourse
Outline the anatomical relations to the vagina
Anterior–bladder and urethra.
Posterior– rectouterine pouch, rectum and anal canal.
Lateral– ureters and levator ani muscle.
Describe the anatomical structure of the vagina
*vagina is afibromuscular tubewith anterior and posterior walls – these are normally collapsed and thus in contact with one another.
*The shape of the vagina is not a round tunnel. In the transverse plane it is more like an“H”lying on the side. At the upper ending, the vagina surrounds the cervix, creating two domes (fornices or vaults): an anterior and a (deeper) posterior one.
Theposterior fornixis important as it acts like a natural reservoir for semen after intravaginal ejaculation. The semen retained in the fornix liquefies in the next 20-30 mins, allowing for easier permeation through the cervical canal.
*It’s lined with mucous membranes that help keep it moist.
*It can widen to accommodate a baby during delivery and then shrink back to hold something narrow like a tampon
Describe the blood supply to the vagina ( arterial)
The arterial supply to the vagina is via the uterine and vaginal arteries – both branches of theinternal iliac artery.
Describe venous supply to the vagina
Venous return is by the vaginal venous plexus, whichdrains into theinternal iliac veinsvia the uterine vein.
Describe lymphatic drainage of the vagina
Lymphatic drainage is divided into three sections:
Superior– drains to external iliac nodes
Middle– drains to internal iliac nodes
Inferior– drains tosuperficial inguinal lymph nodes.
Describe the innervation to the vagina
Innervation is predominantly from the autonomic nervous system. Parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves arise from theuterovaginal nerve plexus(in turn a subsidiary of the inferior hypogastric plexus).
Only the inferior 1/5 of the vagina receives somatic innervation. This is via a branch of thepudendal nerve, thedeep perineal nerve.
State the functions of the cervix
*It’s acts as a gateway between the vagina and the uterus
It facilitates thepassage of sperminto the uterine cavity. This is achieved via dilation of the external and internal os.
Maintains sterilityof the upper female reproductive tract.The cervix, and all structures superior to it, aresterile. This ultimately protects the uterine cavity and the upper genital tract by preventing bacterial invasion. This environment is maintainedby the frequentsheddingof the endometrium, thick cervical mucus and a narrow external os.
State the 2 portions of the cervix
*ectocervix
* endocervical canal / endocervix
Describe the ectocervix and endocervix
Ectocervix:
* portion that projects into the vagina
*has non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
Endocervix
*the more proximal, and ‘inner’ part of the cervix
*has mucous secreting simple columnar epithelium
Describe the internal and external Os
External os: The opening of the cervix on the outermost, vaginal side of the canal
Internal os:The opening of the cervix on the innermost side of the canal near the uterus
How does the cervix maintains sterility in the upper female reproductive tract?
*frequent shedding of the endometrium
*Thick can cervical mucus
*A narrow external Os
Describe the blood supply to the cervix
Uterine artery
Describe the venous drainage of the cervix
Uterine veins
Describe the lymphatic drainage of the cervix
Lymphatic drainage of the uterus is via theiliac, sacral, aorticandinguinal lymph nodes.
What are secondary sex organs?
are components of the reproductive tract thatmatureduring puberty under the influence of sex hormones produced from primary sex organs (theovariesin females and the testes in males)
Describe the anatomical structure of the uterus
*thick walled and muscular
*Capable of expansion to accommodate a growing foetus
* Connected distally to the vagina and laterally to uterine tubes
State and describe the 3 parts of the uterus
Fundus– top of the uterus, above the entry point of the uterine tubes.
Body– usual site for implantation of the blastocyst.
Cervix– lower part of uterus linking it with the vagina. This part is structurally and functionally different to the rest of the uterus
In the normal adult uterus, it can be described as anteverted with respect to the vagina, and anteflexed with respect to the cervix:
Deescrbe
*Anteverted
*Anteflexed
Thus, the uterus normally lies immediately posterosuperior to thebladder, and anterior to therectum.
Anteverted: Rotated forward, towards the anterior surface of the body.
Anteflexed: Flexed, towards the anterior surface of the body
State the function of the following ligaments of the uterus
* Broad ligament
*Round ligament
*Ovarian ligament
*Cardinal ligament
*Uterosacral ligament
Broad Ligament:This is a double layer of peritoneum attaching the sides of the uterus to the pelvis. It acts as a mesentery for the uterus and contributes to maintaining it in position.
Round Ligament:A remnant of the gubernaculum extending from the uterine horns to the labia majora via the inguinal canal. It functions to maintain the anteverted position of the uterus.
Ovarian Ligament:Joins the ovaries to the uterus.
Cardinal Ligament:Located at the base of thebroad ligament, the cardinal ligament extends from the cervix to the lateral pelvic walls. It contains the uterine artery and vein in addition to providing support to the uterus.
Uterosacral Ligament:Extends from the cervix to the sacrum. It provides support to the uterus.
Describe the blood supply to the uterus
Uterine artery
Describe the venous drainage of the uterus
Uterine veins
Describe the venous drainage of the uterus
Lymphatic drainage of the uterus is via theiliac, sacral, aorticandinguinal lymph nodes.
Describe the innervation of the uterus
Sympathetic nerve fibres of the uterus arise from theuterovaginal plexus. This largely comprises theanteriorandintermediateparts of theinferior hypogastric plexus.
Parasympathetic fibres of the uterus are derived from thepelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4).
The cervix is largely innervated by theinferiornerve fibres of theuterovaginal plexus.
The afferent fibres mostly ascend through theinferior hypogastric plexus to enter the spinal cord viaT10-T12andL1nerve fibres.
State the functions of the uterine tubes
The main function of the uterine tubes is to assist in thetransferandtransportof the ovum from the ovary, to the uterus.
State two characteristics of the uterine tubes that facilitates the movement of an ovum
The inner mucosais lined withciliatedcolumnar epithelial cells andpeg cells(non-ciliated secretory cells). They waft the ovum towards the uterus and supply it with nutrients.
Smooth muscle layercontracts to assist with transportation of the ova and sperm. Muscle is sensitive to sex steroids, and thus peristalsis is greatest when oestrogen levels are high.
State the 4 anatomical structures of uterine tubes
Fimbriae
Infundibulum
Ampulla
Isthmus
Widest section of the uterine tubes. Fertilization usually occurs here.
What structure is this?
Ampulla
Narrow section of the uterine tubes connecting the ampulla to the uterine cavity.
Name this structure
Isthmus
What is the infundibulum of the uterine tube?
Function??
funnel-shaped opening near the ovary to which fimbriae are attached.
What is the function of the fimbriae?
finger-like, ciliated projections
*which capture the ovum from the surface of the ovary.
NOTE: The blood supply, lymphatic drainage and venous drainage for the cervix, uterus and fallopian tube is the same
State the function of ovaries
To produceoocytes(female gametes) in preparation for fertilisation.
To produce the sex steroid hormonesoestrogenandprogesterone, in response to pituitary gonadotrophins (LH and FSH).
State the two ligaments that attach to the ovary
Suspensory ligamentof ovary–fold of peritoneum extending from themesovariumto thepelvic wall. Contains neurovascular structures.
Ligamentof ovary–extends from theovaryto thefundusof the uterus. It then continues from the uterus to the connective tissue of the labium majus, as the round ligament of uterus.
Outline the arterial blood supply to the ovary
Ovarian artery
Where does the ovarian artery branch from?
Abdominal aorta
Describe the venous drainage of the ovaries
Left ovarian artery»»left renal vein
Right ovarian artery»>inferior vena cava
Study pelvic floor muscles and the urogenital triangle
State the functions of the female reproductive system
*production of ova
*Reception of sperms
*Transport of sperm and ovum to a common site for fertilization
* Maintenance of the developing fetus until it can survive in the outside world( gestation or pregnancy) including formation of the placenta
* Giving birth to the baby ( parturition)
*Nourishing the infant after birth by milk production (Lactation)
Regardless of the genetic sex of the individual, a female reproductive tract and external genitalia develop in the absence of testicular hormones.
True/ False
True
State the 3 layers of the uterine wall
Endometrium, myometrium, perimetrium
