Female Reproductive System Flashcards
(18 cards)
Female reproductive system overview?
External genitalia is known collectively as the vulva
Internal reproductive organs: the vagina, the uterus, two uterine tubes and two ovaries
The vulva( mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, the prepuce, fourchette)
-The mons pubis/veneris: rounded pad of fat lying anterior to the symphysis pubis
-Labia majora: two folds of fat and areolar tissue, covered with skin and pubic hair on the outer surface and have a smooth inner surface
-Labia minora: two small subcutaneous folds that lie between the labia majora. The upper layer passes above the clitoris to form the prepuce, which overhangs the clitoris. The lower layer passes below the clitoris to form the frenulum of the clitoris.
-The prepuce is a retractable piece of skin, formed by the labia minora, which surrounds and protects the clitoris.
-Labia minora fuse posteriorly to produce the fourchette.
The vulva ( vestibule, urethral orifice, vaginal orifice)
-Vestibule: the area enclosed by the labia minora in which the openings of the urethra and the vagina are situated.
-Urethral orifice: immediately in front of the vaginal orifice. On either side lie the openings of the Skene’s ducts, two small blind-ended tubules 0.5 cm long running within the urethral wall.
-Vaginal orifice: also known as the introitus of the vagina. The orifice is partially closed by the hymen, a thin membrane that tears before or during penetrative sexual
intercourse.
The vulva ( the greater vestibular glands)
The greater vestibular glands (Bartholin’s glands): two small glands that open on either side of the vaginal orifice. They secrete mucus, which lubricates the vaginal opening.
The clitoris
-majority of clitoral tissue is internal, not external.
-External part: clitoral glans. Densely filled with nerve ending
-Internal part: extremely vascular, erectile tissue
The erectile bodies: paired bulbs and paired corpora, which are continuous with the crura.
Blood supply and nerves
-Blood supply: internal and external pudendal arteries and corresponding veins
-Lymphatic drainage: inguinal glands
-Nerve supply: branches of the pudendal nerve
Vagina
Definition: a canal from vestibule to the cervix, passing upwards and backwards into the pelvis along the line of the pelvic brim
Function: -passage and escape of menstrual flow
-receives the penis and ejaculate during intercourse
-provides exit of foetus during birth
Location: anatomical relations
-anterior: bladder
-posterior: rectum
-superior: uterus
-inferior: external genitalia
Structure of the vagina
Posterior wall- 10cm long
Anterior wall- 7.5 cm because cervix projects at right angles into upper part
Upper end = vault
Cervix projects into the vault forming fornices
Posterior fornix - largest because vagina is attached to uterus at a higher level behind
Lateral fornices- lie either side
Anterior fornix- in front of the cervix
Layers of the vagina
Lining: squamous epithelium, arranged in rugae.
Kept moist by cervical secretions pH 4.9-3.5-acidic due to presence of Doderlein’s bacilli.
Muscle layer: weaker inner circular fibres and stronger outer longitudinal fibres
Pelvic fascia: connective tissue surrounding the vagina
Description of the uterus
Hollow, pear-shaped muscular organ located in the true pelvis between the bladder and the rectum.
The position of the uterus within the true pelvis is one of anteversion and anteflexion
Anteversion means that the uterus leans forward and anteflexion means that it bends forwards upon itself.
The non-pregnant uterus is 7.5 cm long, 5 cm wide and 2.5 cm in depth, each wall being 1.25 cm thick, and weighs ~60 grams.
Anatomy of uterus
The fundus is the domed upper wall
between the insertions of the uterine tubes.
The cornuae are the upper outer angles of the uterus where the uterine tubes join.
The body or corpus makes up the upper two-thirds of the uterus.
Cavity: Within the body of the uterus, triangular in shape
Isthmus: 7mm long situated at the junction of the body and cervix
Layers of the uterus
- Perimetrium
Layer of peritoneum draped over the uterus and uterine tubes - Myometrium: muscle layer
Inner layer Circular fibres around the cornua and cervix .
Middle layer Interlacing spiral fibres - the upper part of the body .
Outer Longitudinal fibres - from the cervix anteriorly over the fundus to the cervix posteriorly. - Endometrium
Functional layer - which thickens and is shed during menstrual cycle.
Basal layer - from which functional layer regenerates every cycle.
The cervix
The cervix is part of the uterus.
The lower part sits within the vagina, and upper part sits above the vagina.
The cervical canal is made up of columnar epithelium that secretes mucus (known as compound racemose glands)
The muscle fibres are embedded in collagen enabling it to stretch in labour.
The internal os is a narrow opening between the isthmus and cervix
The external os is a small round opening at the lower end of the cervix
Uterus: blood and nerve supply
Blood supply
Uterine & ovarian arteries - branches of internal iliac artery.
Venous drainage - corresponding veins
Lymphatic drainage- Lumbar and hypogastric nodes
Nerve Supply- 11th, 12th Thoracic and 1st Lumbar nerve Cervix by sacral nerves 2, 3 and 4
Uterine tubes
Definition
Function
Position
Two tubes, each leading from an ovary into the uterus. Also known as fallopian tubes.
Function: propels the ovum towards the uterus, receives the spermatozoa as they travel upwards and provides a site for fertilization.
Position: extend laterally from the cornua of the uterus towards the side walls of the pelvis.
They arch over the ovaries, the fringed ends hovering near the ovaries in order to receive the ovum. Held in place by their attachment to the uterus and the peritoneum.
Uterine tubes anatomy
The interstitial portion - 1.25 cm long and lies within the wall of the uterus. Its lumen is 1 mm wide.
The isthmus - another narrow part that extends for 2.5 cm from the uterus.
The ampulla - the wider portion, where fertilization usually occurs. It is 5 cm long.
The infundibulum - the funnel-shaped fringed end that is composed of many processes known as fimbriae. One fimbria is elongated to form the ovarian fimbria, which is attached to the ovary.
Uterine tubes structure
Blood supply, lymphatic drainage and nerve supply
Longitudinal and circular muscle
Lining of ciliated columnar epithelium
• Wafts ovum from infundibulum towards the uterus.
• Contains folds or plicae
• Contains goblet-shaped cells which produce secretions to nourish the ova.
Blood supply: ovarian and uterine arteries -
branches of the internal iliac artery and corresponding veins
Lymphatic drainage: lumbar glands
Nerve supply: Ovarian plexus and the parasympathetic system
Ovaries
Function, position and anatomy
Function- ovaries produce oocytes and the hormones, ostrogen and progesterone.
Position- they’re attached to the uterus by the ovarian ligaments. 3cm x 2cm x 1cm, almond shaped.
Ovary is comprised of the medulla and the cortex.
1) medulla is the supporting framework, which is made of fibrous tissue; the ovarian blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves travel through it. The hilum is where these vessels enter the ovary (known as the mesovarium).
Cortex- is the functioning part of the ovary. It contains the ovarian follicles in different stages of development, surrounded by stroma (unique type of connective tissue).
