6. Pelvis and perineum: Female Flashcards Preview

Anatomy of the abdomen, pelvis and perineum > 6. Pelvis and perineum: Female > Flashcards

Flashcards in 6. Pelvis and perineum: Female Deck (50)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

What completely envelops the uterine tubes?

A

Broad ligament

2
Q

What are the ovaries suspended by?

A

Mesovarium (from posterior of broad ligament)

3
Q

What are the ligaments that support the pelvis viscera (e.g. cervix) made of?

A

Condensations of pelvic fascia

4
Q

What is the role of the broad ligaments and what runs through them?

A

Broad ligaments are transverse mesenteries joining the uterus to the pelvic walls.
Contain uterine tubes and uterine arteries.

5
Q

What is the top part of the uterus called?

A

Fundus

6
Q

What are the parts of the uterine tube?

A
Fimbriae
Infundibulum
Ampulla
Isthmus
Uterine part
7
Q

What are the 3 ligaments that hold the cervix in place? (passive support)

A

Transverse cervical (cardinal) Ligament
Pubocervical Ligament
Uterosacral Ligament
These prevent the cervix from prolapsing

8
Q

How is there a potential communication between the peritoneal cavity and the exterior via the reproductive passage?

A

Via the reproductive passage: Abdominal ostium of uterine tube and vaginal opening

9
Q

What does the uterus consist of?

A

Fundus
Body
Lower segment
Cervix

10
Q

What are the 2 openings of the cervix?

A

Internal Os

External Os

11
Q

What is the term for the opening of the fallopian tube into the uterus?

A

Uterine Ostium

12
Q

Describe how the uterus changes in size throughout pregnancy.

A

The fundus rises up the abdomen.

In the 10th month the fundus is lower than in the 9th month.

13
Q

Describe the epithelial lining of the cervical canal.

A

Simple columnar epithelium, with goblet cells

14
Q

Describe the epithelial lining of the vaginal surface of the cervix.

A

Non-keratinising stratified squamous epithelium

tested in the smear test

15
Q

Describe the orientation of the axis of the cervix in relation to the axis of the vagina.

A

Axis of the cervix is at 90 degrees to the axis of the vagina

16
Q

What is the cervix held in place by?

A

Strong cervical ligaments attached to pelvis and sacrum (ligaments are part of pelvic fascia)

17
Q

What is the normal arrangement of the uterine body, the cervix and the vagina?

A

Uterine body is anteflexed on the cervix

Cervix is anteverted on the vagina

18
Q

How long is a normal vagina?

A

7-9 cm

19
Q

Which fornix is important clinically?

A
Posterior fornix (deeper)
In close relation to recto-uterine pouch
20
Q

What can be felt in the digital examination through the vagina?

A
Ischial spine 
Ovaries 
Uterine artery pulse (lateral fornix)
Cervix 
Sacral Promontory
21
Q

What are the main branches of the internal iliac artery that supply the pelvic viscera?

A

Superior Vesical Artery
Uterine Artery
Middle Rectal Artery

22
Q

Which branches of the internal iliac artery supply the walls of the pelvis?

A

Sacral, Gluteal and Obturator Branches

23
Q

What artery supplies the perineum and the recto-anal region?

A

Pudendal Artery

24
Q

What supplies blood to the ovaries?

A
Ovarian artery (Main supply, directly from aorta) 
Ascending Uterine artery
25
Q

What are the 2 divisions of the uterine artery?

A

Ascending Branch: supplies the uterine tubes and ovary

Descending Branch: Vaginal Artery (equivalent of inferior vesical in men) supplies the vagina

26
Q

What gives the main blood supply to the uterus and enlarges during pregnancy?

A

Uterine artery

27
Q

Where are eggs from the ovary initially released into?

A

Into the peritoneal cavity because the ovary is on the posterior surface of the broad ligament

28
Q

Which urethral sphincter is not well developed in women?

A

Internal urethral sphincter

29
Q

Which urethral sphincter is crucial for maintaining urinary continence in women?

A

External urethral sphincter

30
Q

Describe the arrangement of sphincters in the deep perineal pouch.

A

Part of the pelvic floor muscles form compressor urethrae (compresses urethra)
Parts of the fibres from here combine with the external urethral sphincter to for sphincter urethrovaginalis.
This wraps around the external urinary sphincter

31
Q

How is the corpus spongiosum different in women?

A

It splits into 2 around the vestibule of the vagina to form vestibular bulbs

32
Q

How are the corpora cavernosa arranged in women?

A

Paired cylinders attached to ischiopubic rami

33
Q

What makes up the body and glans of the clitoris?

A

Body: corpora cavernosae
Glans: corpus spongiosum

34
Q

What is the collective name for female external genitalia?

A

Vulva

35
Q

What gland in women is the equivalent of the prostate gland in men?

A

Skene’s gland (Paraurethral gland/ Lesser vestibular gland)

36
Q

What gland in women is the equivalent of the paraurethral gland in men? What is its role?

A

Greater vestibular gland (Bartholin’s)

Provide lubrication

37
Q

Where do the greater and lesser paraurethral glands open into? Where do the peri-urethral glands open into?

A

G+L: Vaginal vestibule

P-U: Urethral lumen

38
Q

What does the vaginal wall lack? How is the wall kept moist?

A

Mucosa has no glands

Kept moist by transudation

39
Q

Describe the mucosa in the cervical canal

A

Has numerous mucous glands

These are active in pre-menopausal women

40
Q

Describe the innervation of the pelvic contents

A

Sympathetic: T10-L2 via hypogastric plexus
Parasympathetic: S2-S4 outflow
Somatic (to perineum): Pudendal S2-S4

41
Q

What is the pudendal nerve motor and sensory to in females?

A

M: Perineal muscles, anal and urethral sphincters, levanter ani
S: external genitalia

42
Q

Which lymph nodes do the pelvic organs drain to?

A

External and internal iliac lymph nodes

43
Q

Where do the ovaries and testes drain to?

A

Para-aortic lymph nodes

44
Q

Where do the perineum and external genitalia drain to?

A

Superficial inguinal nodes

45
Q

What is the role of the suspensory ligament of the ovary?

A

Supplies vessels (e.g. ovarian artery) and nerves from lateral walls to ovary

46
Q

Where does fertilisation occur?

A

Ampulla

47
Q

What is the significance of the cervix protruding into the vagina?

A

Forms fornices

Recesses

48
Q

Why is breathing harder late in pregnancy?

A

Uterus occupies large part of abdominal cavity

Makes diaphragm movement difficult

49
Q

Which structures may be accidentally tied off during a hysterectomy?

A

Ureters

50
Q

What is the term for the space between the labia majora?

A

Vestibule of vagina