The Female Reproductive System

Question 1

List the external genital organs

Answer 1

• help by female perineum
• mons pubis
• labia majora
• labia minora
• clitoris
• vestibule
• vestibular glands
• vestibular bulb p.24

Question 2

List the female internal genital organs

Answer 2

• vagina
• cervix
• uterus
• Fallopian tubes
• ovaries

Question 3

Describe the mons pubis

Answer 3

• subcutaneous adipose tissue anterior to the pubic symphysis
• skin overlying the mons pubis is covered with ta triangular patch of pubic hair

Question 4

What is the role of pubic hair ?

Answer 4

Protection against external bacterias

Question 5

Describe the labia majora

Answer 5

• two longitudinal skin folds covered with pubic hair
• most lateral part of the vulva
• extending from the mons pubis to the perineum

Question 6

Describe the pudendal cleft

Answer 6

• containing the labia minora and vestibule
• merges anteriorly (anterior commissure) and posteriorly (posterior commissure)
• homologous to scrotum in male

Question 7

Describe the labial minora

Answer 7

• thin and hairless skin folds found between the labia majora
• surrounds the vaginal vestibule and its urethral and vaginal orifices
• contributes to the formation of the prepuce and frenulum of the clitoris

Question 8

Describe the clitoris

Answer 8

• erectile organ
• analogue to the male penis
• located at the most superior part of the vulvar vestibule
• surrounded by the anterior part of the labia minora
• three parts : root body and glans - the body consists in two corpora cavernosa and two attachement points (crura)

Question 9

Describe the vestibule (female genitals)

Answer 9

• region between labia minora
• contains the vaginal orifice, opening of the urethra, openings of the excretory ducts of the grater and lesser vestibular glands

Question 10

Describe the vestibular glands

Answer 10

• greater vestibular : Bartholin’s gland, homologous of bulbourethral gland in male - lubrication of the vulva
• lesser vestibular : Skene or paraurethral gland : located between urethral and vaginal orifices : homologous to the male prostate

Question 11

Describe the vestibular bulb (female genitals)

Answer 11

• pair of subcutaneous erectile tissues analogous to the penile bulb and corpus spongiosum in male

Question 12

What are the blood supplies of the external genitals ?

Answer 12

• pudendal arteries

Question 13

What is the innervation of the mons pubis and anterior labia ?

Answer 13

• anterior labial nerves, which derives from the lumbar plexus

Question 14

What is the innervation of the posterior aspect of the vulva ?

Answer 14

Pudendal nerve and its branches (posterior labial nerves) and branches from the posterior cutaneous nerve tight

Question 15

What is the innervation of the clitoris ?

Answer 15

Dorsal nerve of the clitoris

Question 16

Describe the vagina

Answer 16

Female internal genital organ
Fribromuscular tube composed of two walls, anterior (7,5 cm) and posterior (8-10 cm)
Extends postero superiorly from the vulva to the uterus
Roles ares : sexual intercourse, childbirth, menstruations

Question 17

Describe the orientation of the vagina

Answer 17

Standing : upward-backward position forming 45° angle with the uterus
Lying : forming a 60° angle with uterus
The angle varies depending on the content of the bladder and colon

Question 18

What are the anatomical relations of the vagina

Answer 18

Anterior : bladder and urethra
Posterior : recto uterine pouch, rectum and anal canal
Lateral : ureters, levatore ani muscle

Question 19

What are the blood supplies of the vagina ?

Answer 19

• Uterine and vaginal arteries, which are ramifications of the internal iliac artery
• Vaginal venous plexus that drains into the internal iliac veins via the uterine vein

Question 20

Describe the innervation of the vagina

Answer 20

• autonomic nervous system
• parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves from utero vaginal nerves plexus
• 1/5 : somatic innervation via the deep perineal nerve (branch of pudendal nerve)

Question 21

Describe the cervix

Answer 21

• lower portion of the uterus
• connects the vagina with the main body of the uterus
• composed of two regions : ectocervix and endocervical canal

Question 22

What is the ectocervix ?

Answer 22

Portion of the cervix that porjects into the vagina with external os that marks the transition from ectocervix to the endocervical canal.

Question 23

What is the endocervical canal ?

Answer 23

More proximal and internal part of the cervix, with the internal os, where the endocervical canal ends and the uterine cavity begins.

Question 24

What are the main functions of the cervix ?

Answer 24

• Facilitates the passage of sperm inside the uterine cavity via dilation of the external and internal os.
• maintains sterility of the upper femal reproductive tract and protects against pathogens.

Question 25

What are the blood supplies of the cervix ?

Answer 25

- Uterine artery | - via a plexus in the broad ligament that drains into the uterine veins

Question 26

What is the innervation of the cervix ?

Answer 26

Inferior nerve fibers of the uterovaginal plexus

Question 27

Describe the uterus

Answer 27

- 8 cm long hollow muscular organ capable of expansion to accommodate a growing fœtus - connects distally to the vagina and laterally to the Fallopian tubes. - composed of four main parts : Fundus Body Isthmus Cervix

Question 28

What are the possible positions for the uterus ?

Answer 28

In general, postero superior to the bladder and anterior to the rectum - anterverted - anterflexed

Question 29

Name the 5 uterine ligaments

Answer 29

- broad ligament : double layer of peritoneum attaching the sides of the uterus to the pelvis - round ligament : extending from the uterine horns to the labia majora via the inguinal canal to maintain the anteverted position of the uterus - ovarian ligament : joins the ovaries to the uterus - cardinal ligament : extends from the cervix to the lateral pelvic walls it contains the uterine artery and vein in addition to supporting the uterus - uterosacral ligament : extends form the cervix to the sacrum. It provides support to the uterus

Question 30

Which ligament attaches the sides of the uterus to the pelvis ?

Answer 30

The broad ligament

Question 31

Which ligament maintains the anteverted position of the uterus ?

Answer 31

The round ligament

Question 32

Which ligament joints the ovaries to the uterus ?

Answer 32

The ovarian ligament

Question 33

Which ligament attaches the cervix to the lateral pelvic walls ?

Answer 33

Cardinal ligament

Question 34

Which ligament extends from the cervix to the sacrum ?

Answer 34

The uterosacral ligament

Question 35

Which ligaments provide support to the uterus ?

Answer 35

Broad ligament Cardinal ligament Uterosacral ligament

Question 36

Which ligament contains the uterine artery and vein ?

Answer 36

The cardinal ligament

Question 37

What is the blood supply of the uterus ?

Answer 37

- Uterine artery | - Via a plexus in the broad ligament that drains into the uterine veins

Question 38

What is the innervation of the uterus ?

Answer 38

- sympathetic nerve : uterovaginal plexus, comprises the anterior and intermediate parts of the inferior hypo gastric plexus - parasympathetic nerve : derived from the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4) - the afferent fibers mostly ascend through the inferior hypogastric plexus to enter the spinal cord via T10-T12 and L1 nerve fibers

Question 39

Describe the Fallopian tubes

Answer 39

``` Muscular J-shaped tubes found in the upper border of the broad ligament, extending laterally from the uterus opening in the abdominal cavity, near the ovaries. Composed of 4 parts : - fimbriae - infundibulum - ampulla - isthmus ```

Question 40

What is the function of the Fallopian tubes ?

Answer 40

Assist in the transfer and transport of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus.

Question 41

What is the blood supply of the Fallopian tubes ?

Answer 41

- uterine and ovarian arteries | - uterine and ovarian veins

Question 42

What is the innervation of the Fallopian tubes ?

Answer 42

Sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation : nerve fibers from the ovarian and uterine (pelvic) plexus. Sensory afferent fibers run from T11 to L1.

Question 43

Define the ovaries

Answer 43

Female gonades undergoing different phases during a cycle. Paired, oval organs attached to the posterior surface of the broad ligament of the uterus by the mesovarium.

Question 44

What are the functions of the ovaries ?

Answer 44

Reproductive function and hormonal regulation. They produce oocytes (female gamete) in preparation for fertilization. They produce sex steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone in response to pituitary gonadotrophins (LH and FSH).

Question 45

Name the ligaments attached to the ovary

Answer 45

Suspensory ligament of ovary | Ligament of ovary

Question 46

What are the blood supply of the ovaries

Answer 46

Paired ovarian arteries, arising directly from the abdominal aorta and also contribution of the uterine arteries. Paired ovarian veins : - left ovarian veins drains into the left renal vein - right ovarian veins drains directly into the inferior vena cava.

Question 47

What is the innervation of the ovaries ?

Answer 47

Sympathetic and parasympathetic from the ovarian and uterine (pelvic) plexus. Nerves reach the ovaries via the suspensory ligaments of the ovaries to enter the ovary at the hilium.