lower internal female genitalia anatomy

where does the vagina extend to and from?

from external vaginal orifice to cervix

what are the 3 roles of the vagina?

- sexual intercourse

- childbirth

- menstruation

what does the vagina do in terms of sexual intercourse?

receives penis and ejaculate, assisting its transport to uterus

what does the vagina do in terms of childbirth?

expands to provide channel for delivery from uterus

what does vagina do in terms of menstruation?

canal for menstrual fluid and tissue to leave body

what lies anterior to vagina?

urethra and bladder

what lies posterior to vagina?

rectum and anal canal

what is the vagina composed of?

fibromuscular tube with anterior and posterior walls

what is the normal relation of the anterior and posterior walls?

normally collapsed so in contact with one another

what does the vagina surround at the upper end?

cervix

what does the vaginal surround of cervix create?

2 domes/fornices/vaults

- an anterior and posterior one

what is the function of the posterior fornix?

natural reservoir for semen after intravaginal ejaculation

what are the 4 layers of the vagina?

- stratified squamous epithelium

- elastic lamina propria

- fibromuscular layer

- adventitia

which arteries supply the vagina? (2)

uterine and vaginal arteries - branches of the internal iliac artery

which veins drain the vagina?

vaginal venous plexus - into internal iliac veins

which nerves supply the vagina?

uterovaginal nerve plexus

where is the cervix located?

between the vagina and uterus

what are the 2 regions of the cervix?

- ectocervix

- endocervical canal

what does the ectocervix consist of?

- projects into the vagina

- contains external os which marks transition from ectocervix to endocervical canal

what is the ectocervix lining?

stratified squamous non-keratinised epithelium

where does the endocervical canal run to and from?

external os to internal os - where the uterine cavity begins

what is the endocervical lining?

mucus-secreting simple columnar epithelium

what are the 2 main functions of the cervix?

- facilitates passage of sperm into uterine cavity

- maintains sterility of upper female reproductive tract

how does cervix facilitates passage of sperm to uterine cavity?

dilation of external and internal os

how does the cervix maintain sterility of upper female reproductive tract? (3)

- frequent shedding of endometrium

- thick cervical mucus

- narrow external os

which arteries supply the cervix?

uterine artery

which veins drain the cervix?

uterine veins