Pelvic Walls, Floor and Contents - Female

Question 1

The external genital organs of the female are collectively known as the

Answer 1

vulva

Question 2

What are the functions of the vulva?

Answer 2

Sensory tissue during sexual intercourse
Assist in micturition by directing flow of urine
Defend internal female reproductive tract from infection

Question 3

What are the components of the vulva?

Answer 3

Mons pubis 
Labia majora 
Labia minora 
Vestibule 
Bartholin's glands
Clitoris

Question 4

What is the blood supply to the external female genitalia?

Answer 4

Paired pudendal arteries (internal branch contributes most)

Question 5

What is the venous drainage of the external female genitalia?

Answer 5

Pudendal veins

Question 6

What is the lymphatic drainage of the external female genitalia?

Answer 6

Superficial inguinal lymph nodes

Question 7

What in the innervation of the external female genitalia?

Answer 7

Anterior portion - ilioinguinal nerve and genital branch of genitofemoral nerve
Posterior portion - pudendal nerve and posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh
Clitoris and vestibule also receive innervation from cavernous nerves

Question 8

What is the vagina?

Answer 8

Distensible muscular tube which extends upwards and backwards from vestibule of external genitalia to the cervix

Question 9

What are the biological functions of the vagina?

Answer 9

Receive penis and ejaculate in sexual intercourse and assist in transport to the uterus
Expand during childbirth to provide a channel for the baby
Serves as a canal for menstrual fluid and tissue to leave the body

Question 10

What are the anterior, posterior and lateral relations of the vagina?

Answer 10

Anterior - bladder and urethra
Posterior - rectum and anus
Lateral - ureter and uterine artery

Question 11

What are the layers of the vagina?

Answer 11

From internal to external;

Stratified squamous epithelium lining
Elastic lamina propria
Fibromuscular layer
Adventitia

Question 12

What is the function of the stratified squamous epithelium lining of the vagina?

Answer 12

Provides protection, lubricated by cervical mucosa

Question 13

What is the lamina propria of the vagina?

Answer 13

Dense connective tissue layer which projects papillae into the overlying epithelium, larger veins located here

Question 14

What are the layers of the fibromuscular layer of the vagina?

Answer 14

2 layers of smooth muscle - inner circular and outer longitudinal layer

Question 15

What is the function of the adventitia of the vagina?

Answer 15

Fibrous layer which provides additional strength to the vagina and binds it to surrounding structures

Question 16

What is the blood supply of the vagina?

Answer 16

Uterina and vaginal arteries

Question 17

What is the venous drainage of the vagina?

Answer 17

Vaginal venous plexus which drains into internal iliac veins via uterine veins

Question 18

What is the lymphatic drainage of the vagina?

Answer 18

Iliac and superficial inguinal lymph nodes

Question 19

What is the innervation of the vagina?

Answer 19

Uterovaginal nerve plexus

Deep perineal nerve

Question 20

What is the cervix?

Answer 20

Lower portion of the uterus which connects vagina with main body of uterus

Question 21

What are the components of the cervix?

Answer 21

Ectocervix
Internal and external os
Endocervix

Question 22

What are the functions of the cervix?

Answer 22

Facilitates passage of sperm into uterine cavity via dilation of the external and internal os
Maintains sterility of upper female reproductive tract

Question 23

How is the sterile environment of the upper female reproductive tract maintained?

Answer 23

By frequent shedding of the endometrium, thick cervical mucous and narrow external os

Question 24

What is the uterus?

Answer 24

Thick walled muscular organ capable of expansion to accommodate a growing foetus

Question 25

What are the main parts of the uterus?

Answer 25

Fundus Body Cervix

Question 26

What changes the exact location of the uterus?

Answer 26

Degree of distension of the bladder

Question 27

What position is the normal uterus in?

Answer 27

Anteverted with respect to the vagina and anteflexed with respect to the cervix

Question 28

Where is the uterus in relation to the rectum and bladder?

Answer 28

Uterus lies immediately posterosuperior to the bladder and anterior to the rectum

Question 29

What are the layers of the fundus and body of the uterus?

Answer 29

Perimetrium Myometrium Endometrium

Question 30

What part of the endometrium proliferates in response to oestrogen and becomes secretary in response to progesterone?

Answer 30

Superficial stratus functionalis

Question 31

Where does the stratum functionalis regenerate from following menstruation?

Answer 31

Stratum basalis layer of the endometrium

Question 32

What ligaments provide support for the uterus?

Answer 32

``` Broad ligament Round ligament Ovarian ligament Cardinal ligament Uterosacral ligament ```

Question 33

What is the function of the broad ligament?

Answer 33

Attaches sides of uterus to pelvis, acts as mesentery for the uterus

Question 34

What is the function of the round ligament?

Answer 34

Maintains anteverted uterus position

Question 35

What is the blood supply to the uterus?

Answer 35

Uterine artery

Question 36

What is the venous drainage of the uterus?

Answer 36

Via plexus in broad ligament that drains into the uterine veins

Question 37

What is the lymphatic drainage of the uterus?

Answer 37

Iliac, sacral, aortic and inguinal lymph nodes

Question 38

What is the innervation of the uterus?

Answer 38

Pelvic splanchnic nerves | Inferior nerve fibres of uterovaginal plexus

Question 39

What is the main function of the Fallopian tubes?

Answer 39

To assist in transfer and transport of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus

Question 40

What is the lining of the fallopian tubes?

Answer 40

Ciliated columnar epithelium and peg cells

Question 41

When is peristalsis of the smooth muscle layer of the Fallopian tubes greatest?

Answer 41

When oestrogen levels are high

Question 42

What are the components of the Fallopian tubes?

Answer 42

Fimbriae Infundibulum Ampulla Isthmus

Question 43

Where does fertilisation usually occur?

Answer 43

The ampulla (also the widest section of the tubes)

Question 44

What is the function of the fimbriae?

Answer 44

Capture ovum from the surface of the ovary

Question 45

What is the blood supply of the uterine tubes?

Answer 45

Uterine and ovarian arteries

Question 46

What is the venous drainage of the uterine tubes?

Answer 46

Uterine and ovarian veins

Question 47

What is the lymphatic drainage of the uterine tubes?

Answer 47

Iliac, sacral and aortic lymph nodes

Question 48

What is the innervation of the uterine tubes?

Answer 48

Ovarian and uterine plexuses

Question 49

What are the main functions of the ovaries?

Answer 49

Produce oocytes in preparation for fertilisation | Produce sex steroid hormones oestrogen and progesterone in response to pituitary gonadotrophins

Question 50

What are the components of the ovary?

Answer 50

Surface - simple cuboidal epithelium Cortex - connective tissue, supports follicles Medulla - composed of supporting stroma, contains neuromuscular network

Question 51

What ligaments attach to the ovary?

Answer 51

Suspensory ligament | Ligament of ovary

Question 52

Where does the ligament of the ovary extend to/from?

Answer 52

Extends from ovary to the fundus of the uterus and then continues to the connective tissue of the labum majus as the round ligament of the uterus

Question 53

What is the blood supply of the ovaries?

Answer 53

Paired ovarian arteries

Question 54

What is the venous drainage of the ovaries?

Answer 54

Paired ovarian veins

Question 55

What is the lymphatic drainage of the ovaries?

Answer 55

Para-aortic nodes

Question 56

What is the innervation of the ovaries?

Answer 56

Uterine and ovarian plexuses

Question 57

What is the perineum?

Answer 57

Anatomical region int he pelvis, most inferior part of pelvic outlet, separated from pelvic cavity by pelvic floor

Question 58

What does the perineum contain?

Answer 58

Structures that support urinary, genital and gastrointestinal viscera

Question 59

What are the anatomical borders of the perineum?

Answer 59

``` Anterior - pubic symphysis Posterior - tip of coccyx Laterally - inferior pubic rami, inferior ischial rami, sarotuberous ligament Roof - pelvic floor Base - skin and fascia ```

Question 60

What are the surface borders of the perineum?

Answer 60

Anterior - mons pubis in females, base of penis in males Lateral - medial surfaces of the thighs Posterior - Superior end of intergluteal cleft

Question 61

The perineum can be subdivided into

Answer 61

anal and urogenital triangles

Question 62

What are the boundaries of the anal triangle?

Answer 62

Coccyx | Sacrotuberous ligaments

Question 63

What are the contents of the anal triangle?

Answer 63

Anal aperture External anal sphincter muscle Two sischioanal fossae

Question 64

What are the boundaries of the urogenital triangle?

Answer 64

Pubic symphysis | Ischiopubic rami

Question 65

What are the contents of the urogenital triangle?

Answer 65

``` Fascial layers, pouches, perineal membrane Deep perineal pouch Superficial perineal pouch Deep perineal fascia Superficial perineal fascia Skin ```

Question 66

What is the perineal membrane?

Answer 66

Tough fascia which provides attachment for muscles of superficial external genitalia, helps support pelvic viscera

Question 67

What is the superficial perineal pouch?

Answer 67

Potential space between perineal membrane and perineal fascia which contains erectile tissues

Question 68

What is the deep perineal pouch?

Answer 68

Potential space between pelvic floor and perineal membrane

Question 69

What is the perineal body?

Answer 69

Irregular fibromuscular mass located at the junction of the urogenital and anal triangles

Question 70

Contents of the perineal body

Answer 70

Skeletal muscle Smooth muscle Collagenous and elastic fibres

Question 71

Function of perineal body

Answer 71

Point of attachment for muscle fibres from the floor and perineal

Question 72

The perineal body functions as a point of attachment for what muscles?

Answer 72

``` Levator ani Bulbospongiosus Superficial and deep transverse perineal muscles External anal sphincter muscle External urethral sphincter muscle ```

Question 73

What is the neuromuscular supply to the perineal body?

Answer 73

Pudendal nerve | Internal pudendal artery

Question 74

What is a vesicovaginal fistula?

Answer 74

Open communication between the vagina and bladder, urine will enter bladder constantly

Question 75

What is a urethrovaginal fistula?

Answer 75

Open communication between the vagina and urethra, urine will enter the vagina on urination

Question 76

What is a rectovaginal fistula?

Answer 76

Open communication between the vagina and rectum, faecal matter can enter the vagina

Question 77

What is cervicitis?

Answer 77

Chronic inflammation and infection of the cervix