L1,2 Flashcards
(63 cards)
What is the uterus?
The uterus is a hollow, thick-walled, pear-shaped, muscular organ in which the fetus develops.
Where is the uterus located?
The uterus is located in the pelvic cavity, between the urinary bladder anteriorly and the rectum posteriorly.
What is the shape of the uterus?
The uterus is pear-shaped, with its apex directed inferiorly and its base directed superiorly.
What are the dimensions of the uterus?
The uterus is approximately 3 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1 inch thick.
What are the parts of the uterus?
• Fundus
• Body
• Cervix
What is the normal position of the uterus?
-The longitudinal axis of the uterus forms a right angle (90°) with the axis of the vagina, called the angle of anteversion.
-At the level of the internal os, the body is slightly bent forward on the cervix, forming the angle of anteflexion, which is nearly 170°.
-Normally, the uterus is anteverted anteflexed (AVF) with an empty bladder.
What is the abnormal position of the uterus?
• Retroverted retroflexed (RVF): The axes of the uterus and vagina are on the same line, which may cause prolapse of the uterus, especially in old-age multiparous women. This position can also cause difficulties in getting pregnant.
• Retroverted anteflexed
• Excessive anteflexion
What is the fundus of the uterus?
• The fundus is the part superior to the openings of the uterine tubes.
• It is convex all around and completely covered by peritoneum.
• It is related to the coils of the ileum and sigmoid colon.
What is the body of the uterus?
• The body of the uterus is 2 inches long and 2 inches wide.
• It has anterior and posterior surfaces and 2 lateral borders.
• Anterior surface: Covered by the peritoneum down to the level of the isthmus (internal os), related to the urinary bladder, with the uterovesical pouch in between.
• Posterior surface: Covered by peritoneum down to the cervix and posterior fornix of the vagina, related to the sigmoid colon and the coil of the terminal ileum.
• Lateral borders: At the upper ends, the uterine tubes enter the uterus. The round ligament of the uterus attaches antero-inferiorly, and the ligament of the ovary attaches postero-inferiorly. Along the lateral border, the uterine vessels course between the two layers of the broad ligament.
What is the cervix of the uterus?
• The cervix is one inch long and one inch in diameter, with a fusiform-shaped lumen.
• It is more fixed due to the strong ligaments attached to it.
• It projects through the anterior vaginal wall, dividing it into supravaginal and vaginal parts.
• It communicates with the body through the internal os and with the vagina through the external os.
-Supravaginal part:
• It is covered by peritoneum posteriorly down to the upper part of the posterior vaginal wall
• Aneriorly it is related to the urinary bladder.
• Posteriorly it is related to the rectum with Douglas pouch in between.
• Laterally it is related to the uterine artery which crosses the ureter.
-Vaginal part projects into the upper part of the anterior wall of the vagina dividing it into 4 fornices (2 lateral, one anterior and one posterior).
What is the supravaginal part of the cervix?
• The supravaginal part of the cervix is covered by peritoneum posteriorly, down to the upper part of the posterior vaginal wall.
• Anteriorly, it is related to the urinary bladder.
• Posteriorly, it is related to the rectum, with Douglas pouch in between.
• Laterally, it is related to the uterine artery, which crosses the ureter.
What is the vaginal part of the cervix?
• The vaginal part of the cervix projects into the upper part of the anterior wall of the vagina.
• It divides the vagina into four fornices:
• Two lateral fornices
• One anterior fornix
• One posterior fornix
What is the distance from the external os to the fundus of the uterine cavity?
The uterine cavity is 6 cm from the external os to the fundus.
How is the cavity of the body of the uterus described in a sagittal section?
In a sagittal section, the cavity of the body is a transverse slit.
How is the cavity of the body of the uterus described in a coronal section?
In a coronal section, the cavity of the body is triangular, with its base between the openings (horns of the uterus) of the uterine tubes and its apex at the internal os leading to the cervical canal.
What is the shape of the cervical canal?
How does the cervical canal communicate with the uterine cavity and the vagina?
-The cervical canal is fusiform.
-The cervical canal communicates with the uterine cavity by the internal os and with the vagina by the external os.
What connects the uterus to the walls of the true pelvis and surrounding organs?
The uterus is connected to the walls of the true pelvis and surrounding organs by numerous ligaments.
How are the ligaments of the uterus classified?
The ligaments of the uterus are classified into two types: peritoneal ligaments and fibromuscular ligaments.
What are the peritoneal ligaments of the uterus?
The peritoneal ligaments of the uterus include the broad ligaments.
What are the fibromuscular ligaments of the uterus?
The fibromuscular ligaments of the uterus include:
• Transverse cervical ligaments
• Uterosacral ligaments
• Pubocervical ligaments
• Round ligaments of the uterus
What are peritoneal ligaments? What are the broad ligaments?
Peritoneal ligaments are two peritoneal folds extending from the side of the uterus to the lateral pelvic wall. The broad ligament is a peritoneal fold with two layers and four borders.
How do the layers and borders of the broad ligament behave?
The two layers are continuous anteriorly to form the free (anterior) border and diverge posteriorly to attach to the pelvic floor, forming the attached (posterior) border.
How is the superior layer of the broad ligament connected to the ovary?
The superior layer is connected to the ovary by mesovarium and is pierced by the infundibulum of the uterine tube.
The broad ligament border?
Anterior (free) border, Posterior (attached) border, Medial border, Lateral border