Female Reproductive System Flashcards
what is the transitional zone of the cervix
where the columnar epithelia which line the cervix is exposed into the vagina
why can cancers occur due to exposure of the transitional zone of the cervix
the columnar epithelia undergoes metaplasia due to the acidic conditions in the vagina, changing into stratified squamous -this could give rise to mutations
why is the vagina full of glycogen
as this is used by the lactobacillus to produce lactic acid
why might you feel shoulder tip pain following an ectopic pregnancy
blood from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy may collect in the pouch of Douglas then move up through the paracolic gutter to irritate the diaphragm and phrenic nerve which innervates the dermatomes C3,4,5
what is the pouch of Douglas also known as
retro-uterine pouch
what are the 3 peritoneal ligaments covering the female reproductive system
- broad ligament
- suspensory ligament to the ovary
- round ligament and ligament to the ovary
what are the 3 parts of the broad ligament
- mesometrium (covering the uterus)
- mesovarium (covering the ovary)
- mesosalpinx (covering the uterine artery)
what is the suspensory ligament to the ovary
a folding of peritoneal membrane containing vessels
what are the round ligament and ligament to the ovary remnants of
the gubernaculum
what are the different parts of the Fallopian tubes
fimbrae, infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus
which part of the Fallopian tube do most ectopic pregnancies occur
ampulla
what are the 2 types of cells found in the Fallopian tubes
peg cells - secrete factors to maintain the egg
ciliated cells
what do peg cells do
secrete factors to help nourish and maintain the egg
describe the blood supply to the female reproductive system
the uterine artery comes from the abdominal aorta
the ovarian artery comes from the internal iliac artery
describe the venous drainage of the female reproductive system
the left vein drains into the left renal vein and into the IVC. the right vein drains directly into the IVC
