WEEK 5: ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Question 1

Where is the female reproductive system located?

Answer 1

in the pelvis

Question 2

Outline the external and internal genitalia of the female reproductive system

Answer 2

EXTERNAL: Vulva
INTERNAL: vagina, uterus, oviduct, ovaries

Question 3

What are the other names for the oviduct?

Answer 3

Uterine tube or fallopian tube

Question 4

What is the other name for vulva?

Answer 4

Pudendum

Question 5

State the 3 functions of the vulva

Answer 5

*Acts as sensory tissue during sexual intercourse
* Assists in micturition by directing the flow of urine
*Protects the internal female reproductive tract from infection.

Question 6

What is the external female genitalia called?

Answer 6

vulva

Question 7

Outline the 6 structures of the vulva

Answer 7

*Mon pubis: a subcutaneous fat pad located anterior to the pubic symphysis.

*Labia majora: two hair-bearing external skin folds

*Labia minora: two hairless folds of skin, which lie within the labia majora

*vestibule: the area enclosed by the labia minora.

*Bartholin’s gland: They are located either side of the vaginal orifice.

*Clitoris: located under the clitoral hood.

Question 8

What 2 structures are formed by the fusion of labia minora
*anteriorly
*posteriorly

Answer 8

ANTERIORLY: hood of clitoris
POSTERIORLY: fourchette.

Question 9

Name the structures that are found in the vestibule

Answer 9

*Openings of the vagina
*opening of the urethra

Question 10

Name the structure which is a homologue of penis.
it is formed of erectile corpora cavernosa and becomes engorged with blood during sexual stimulation

Answer 10

Clitoris

Question 11

What structure is formed by the fusion of labia majora?

Answer 11

Mon pubis

Question 12

Name the artery that supplies blood to the vulva

Answer 12

pudendal arteries (branches of the internal iliac artery and femoral artery, respectively).

Question 13

Name the venous drainage to the vulva

Answer 13

pudendal veins and small labial veins

Question 14

Describe the lymphatic drainage of the vulva

Answer 14

*superficial inguinal lymph nodes.

Question 15

Innervation to the vulva??

Answer 15

*Anterior – ilioinguinal nerve, genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve

*Posterior – pudendal nerve, posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh.

Question 16

State the 3 functions of the female reproductive system

Answer 16

sexual intercourse
reproduce
menstruation

Question 17

State the 3 functions of the vagina

Answer 17

*menstruation
*Birth canal
*Sexual intercourse

Question 18

Outline the anatomical relations to the vagina

Answer 18

Anterior–bladder and urethra.

Posterior– rectouterine pouch, rectum and anal canal.

Lateral– ureters and levator ani muscle.

Question 19

Describe the anatomical structure of the vagina

Answer 19

*vagina is afibromuscular tubewith anterior and posterior walls – these are normally collapsed and thus in contact with one another.

*The shape of the vagina is not a round tunnel. In the transverse plane it is more like an“H”lying on the side. At the upper ending, the vagina surrounds the cervix, creating two domes (fornices or vaults): an anterior and a (deeper) posterior one.

Theposterior fornixis important as it acts like a natural reservoir for semen after intravaginal ejaculation. The semen retained in the fornix liquefies in the next 20-30 mins, allowing for easier permeation through the cervical canal.

*It’s lined with mucous membranes that help keep it moist.
*It can widen to accommodate a baby during delivery and then shrink back to hold something narrow like a tampon

Question 20

Describe the blood supply to the vagina ( arterial)

Answer 20

The arterial supply to the vagina is via the uterine and vaginal arteries – both branches of theinternal iliac artery.

Question 21

Describe venous supply to the vagina

Answer 21

Venous return is by the vaginal venous plexus, whichdrains into theinternal iliac veinsvia the uterine vein.

Question 22

Describe lymphatic drainage of the vagina

Answer 22

Lymphatic drainage is divided into three sections:

Superior– drains to external iliac nodes

Middle– drains to internal iliac nodes

Inferior– drains tosuperficial inguinal lymph nodes.

Question 23

Describe the innervation to the vagina

Answer 23

Innervation is predominantly from the autonomic nervous system. Parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves arise from theuterovaginal nerve plexus(in turn a subsidiary of the inferior hypogastric plexus).

Only the inferior 1/5 of the vagina receives somatic innervation. This is via a branch of thepudendal nerve, thedeep perineal nerve.

Question 24

State the functions of the cervix

Answer 24

*It’s acts as a gateway between the vagina and the uterus
It facilitates thepassage of sperminto the uterine cavity. This is achieved via dilation of the external and internal os.

Maintains sterilityof the upper female reproductive tract.The cervix, and all structures superior to it, aresterile. This ultimately protects the uterine cavity and the upper genital tract by preventing bacterial invasion. This environment is maintainedby the frequentsheddingof the endometrium, thick cervical mucus and a narrow external os.

Question 25

State the 2 portions of the cervix

Answer 25

*ectocervix * endocervical canal / endocervix

Question 26

Describe the ectocervix and endocervix

Answer 26

Ectocervix: * portion that projects into the vagina *has non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium Endocervix *the more proximal, and ‘inner’ part of the cervix *has mucous secreting simple columnar epithelium

Question 27

Describe the internal and external Os

Answer 27

External os: The opening of the cervix on the outermost, vaginal side of the canal Internal os: The opening of the cervix on the innermost side of the canal near the uterus

Question 28

How does the cervix maintains sterility in the upper female reproductive tract?

Answer 28

*frequent shedding of the endometrium *Thick can cervical mucus *A narrow external Os

Question 29

Describe the blood supply to the cervix

Answer 29

Uterine artery

Question 30

Describe the venous drainage of the cervix

Answer 30

Uterine veins

Question 31

Describe the lymphatic drainage of the cervix

Answer 31

Lymphatic drainage of the uterus is via the iliac, sacral, aortic and inguinal lymph nodes.

Question 32

What are secondary sex organs?

Answer 32

are components of the reproductive tract that mature during puberty under the influence of sex hormones produced from primary sex organs (the ovaries in females and the testes in males)

Question 33

Describe the anatomical structure of the uterus

Answer 33

*thick walled and muscular *Capable of expansion to accommodate a growing foetus * Connected distally to the vagina and laterally to uterine tubes

Question 34

State and describe the 3 parts of the uterus

Answer 34

Fundus – top of the uterus, above the entry point of the uterine tubes. Body – usual site for implantation of the blastocyst. Cervix – lower part of uterus linking it with the vagina. This part is structurally and functionally different to the rest of the uterus

Question 35

In the normal adult uterus, it can be described as anteverted with respect to the vagina, and anteflexed with respect to the cervix: Deescrbe *Anteverted *Anteflexed Thus, the uterus normally lies immediately posterosuperior to the bladder, and anterior to the rectum.  

Answer 35

Anteverted: Rotated forward, towards the anterior surface of the body. Anteflexed: Flexed, towards the anterior surface of the body

Question 36

State the function of the following ligaments of the uterus * Broad ligament *Round ligament *Ovarian ligament *Cardinal ligament *Uterosacral ligament

Answer 36

Broad Ligament: This is a double layer of peritoneum attaching the sides of the uterus to the pelvis. It acts as a mesentery for the uterus and contributes to maintaining it in position. Round Ligament: A remnant of the gubernaculum extending from the uterine horns to the labia majora via the inguinal canal. It functions to maintain the anteverted position of the uterus. Ovarian Ligament: Joins the ovaries to the uterus. Cardinal Ligament: Located at the base of the broad ligament, the cardinal ligament extends from the cervix to the lateral pelvic walls. It contains the uterine artery and vein in addition to providing support to the uterus. Uterosacral Ligament: Extends from the cervix to the sacrum. It provides support to the uterus.

Question 37

Describe the blood supply to the uterus

Answer 37

Uterine artery

Question 38

Describe the venous drainage of the uterus

Answer 38

Uterine veins

Question 39

Describe the venous drainage of the uterus

Answer 39

Lymphatic drainage of the uterus is via the iliac, sacral, aortic and inguinal lymph nodes.

Question 40

Describe the innervation of the uterus

Answer 40

Sympathetic nerve fibres of the uterus arise from the uterovaginal plexus. This largely comprises the anterior and intermediate parts of the inferior hypogastric plexus. Parasympathetic fibres of the uterus are derived from the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4). The cervix is largely innervated by the inferior nerve fibres of the uterovaginal plexus. The afferent fibres mostly ascend through the inferior hypogastric plexus  to enter the spinal cord via T10-T12 and L1 nerve fibres.

Question 41

State the functions of the uterine tubes

Answer 41

The main function of the uterine tubes is to assist in the transfer and transport of the ovum from the ovary, to the uterus.

Question 42

State two characteristics of the uterine tubes that facilitates the movement of an ovum

Answer 42

The inner mucosa is lined with ciliated columnar epithelial cells and peg cells (non-ciliated secretory cells). They waft the ovum towards the uterus and supply it with nutrients. Smooth muscle layer contracts to assist with transportation of the ova and sperm. Muscle is sensitive to sex steroids, and thus peristalsis is greatest when oestrogen levels are high.

Question 43

State the 4 anatomical structures of uterine tubes

Answer 43

Fimbriae Infundibulum Ampulla Isthmus

Question 44

Widest section of the uterine tubes. Fertilization usually occurs here. What structure is this?

Answer 44

Ampulla

Question 45

Narrow section of the uterine tubes connecting the ampulla to the uterine cavity. Name this structure

Answer 45

Isthmus

Question 46

What is the infundibulum of the uterine tube? Function??

Answer 46

funnel-shaped opening near the ovary to which fimbriae are attached.

Question 47

What is the function of the fimbriae?

Answer 47

finger-like, ciliated projections *which capture the ovum from the surface of the ovary.

Question 48

NOTE: The blood supply, lymphatic drainage and venous drainage for the cervix, uterus and fallopian tube is the same

Question 49

State the function of ovaries

Answer 49

To produce oocytes (female gametes) in preparation for fertilisation. To produce the sex steroid hormones oestrogen and progesterone, in response to pituitary gonadotrophins (LH and FSH).

Question 50

State the two ligaments that attach to the ovary

Answer 50

Suspensory ligament of ovary – fold of peritoneum extending from the mesovarium to the pelvic wall. Contains neurovascular structures. Ligament of ovary – extends from the ovary to the fundus of the uterus. It then continues from the uterus to the connective tissue of the labium majus, as the round ligament of uterus.

Question 51

Outline the arterial blood supply to the ovary

Answer 51

Ovarian artery

Question 52

Where does the ovarian artery branch from?

Answer 52

Abdominal aorta

Question 53

Describe the venous drainage of the ovaries

Answer 53

Left ovarian artery>>>>left renal vein Right ovarian artery>>>inferior vena cava

Question 54

Study pelvic floor muscles and the urogenital triangle

Question 55

State the functions of the female reproductive system

Answer 55

*production of ova *Reception of sperms *Transport of sperm and ovum to a common site for fertilization * Maintenance of the developing fetus until it can survive in the outside world( gestation or pregnancy) including formation of the placenta * Giving birth to the baby ( parturition) *Nourishing the infant after birth by milk production (Lactation)

Question 56

Regardless of the genetic sex of the individual, a female reproductive tract and external genitalia develop in the absence of testicular hormones. True/ False

Answer 56

True

Question 57

State the 3 layers of the uterine wall

Answer 57

Endometrium, myometrium, perimetrium