Anatomy of the Female Genital System

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy, blood supply, ligaments, and clinical correlations of the female reproductive system based on the lecture transcript.

Primary sex organs

The two ovaries of the female reproductive system.

Secondary sex organs

The two oviducts (uterine tubes), uterus, vagina, and external genitalia.

Ovary Dimensions

Measures $3\,cm$ in length, $2\,cm$ in width, and $1\,cm$ in thickness.

Superior boundary of the ovarian fossa

External iliac artery.

Posterior boundary of the ovarian fossa

The ureter and internal iliac artery.

Suspensory ligament of the ovary

Also called the infundibulo-pelvic ligament, it extends between the ovary and the side wall of the pelvis and transmits ovarian vessels and nerves.

Ligament of the ovary

A ligament that attaches the inferior (uterine) end of the ovary to the lateral angle of the uterus.

Mesovarium

A short peritoneal fold that attaches the anterior border of the ovary to the upper layer of the broad ligament; it carries the hilum.

Right ovarian vein drainage

Ends in the inferior vena cava.

Left ovarian vein drainage

Ends in the left renal vein.

Para-aortic lymph nodes

The drainage site for the lymphatic vessels of the ovaries.

Infundibulum

The funnel-shaped lateral end of the uterine tube, about $2\,cm$ long, featuring fimbriae that spread over the ovary.

Ampulla

The widest and longest part of the uterine tube ($5\,cm$) and the site of fertilization.

Isthmus

A narrow, thick-walled, cord-like part of the uterine tube that is $2\,cm$ long.

Intramural part

The narrowest part of the uterine tube ($1\,cm$ long) which pierces the wall of the uterus.

Uterine tube blood supply

The medial $2/3$ is supplied by uterine vessels, and the lateral $1/3$ is supplied by ovarian vessels.

Uterus adult dimensions

Length: $3\,\text{inches}$, Breadth: $2\,\text{inches}$, and Thickness: $1\,\text{inch}$.

Ante-version

The position where the whole uterus forms an angle of about $90^\circ$ with the long axis of the vagina.

Ante-flexion

The position where the body of the uterus bends forward, making an angle of about $170^\circ$ with the long axis of the cervix.

Internal os

The apex of the triangular uterine cavity which leads to the cervical canal.

External os

The opening through which the cervix communicates with the vagina.

Uterine artery origin

A branch from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery.

Douglas pouch

Also known as the recto-uterine fold, it is the peritoneal fold extending from the back of the posterior fornix and posterior surface of the uterus to the rectum.

Transverse cervical (Mackenrodt) ligament

Extends laterally from the cervix and upper vagina to the side wall of the pelvis.

Uterosacral ligament

Extends posteriorly from the posterolateral aspect of the cervix and vagina to the front of the sacrum.

Round ligament

Extends from the anteroinferior aspect of the utero-tubal junction to the labium majus and preserves the angle of ante-version.

Mesosalpinx

The part of the broad ligament located between the uterine tube and the ovarian ligament.

Mesometrium

The part of the broad ligament between the ovarian ligament and the body of the uterus.

Parametrium

Extraperitoneal fatty tissue present between the two layers of the broad ligament.

Water under the bridge

The anatomical relation where the uterine artery crosses the ureter about $1.5\,cm$ lateral to the cervix.

Uterine prolapse

A condition where the uterus sinks abnormally low due to the stretching and weakening of pelvic floor muscles and ligaments.

Vaginal fornices

The circular recesses formed around the vaginal portion of the cervix, consisting of one shallow anterior fornix, one deep posterior fornix, and two lateral fornices.

Azygos arteries of vagina

Two longitudinal chains formed by the anastomosis of branches from the uterine, vaginal, middle rectal, and internal pudendal arteries.

Vestibule of vagina

The triangular cleft between the labia minora containing the external urethral orifice, vaginal orifice, and openings of the greater vestibular glands.

Vulva nerve supply

Includes the Ilioinguinal nerve ($L1$), Genital branch of genitofemoral nerve ($L1$), Posterior labial branches of the pudendal nerve ($S3$), and the perineal branch of the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh.