Female Internal Reproductive Organs

What are the female internal reproductive organs?

Ovary

Uterine tube

Uterus

Vagina

What do the ovaries produce after puberty?

Oocytes

T/F: The ovaries have an endocrine function.

True

What hormones are secreted by the ovaries?

Estrogen

Progesterone

Relaxin

What bounds the ovarian fossa?

Obliterated umbilical artery - anteriorly

Ureter and internal iliac vessels - posteriorly

T/F: The ovary is not covered by peritoneum.

True

Where is the oocyte expelled into?

Peritoneal cavity

What do the uterine tubes transport?

Ooctyes from ovary to uterus

How do uterine tubes transport oocytes?

Ciliary action and muscular contraction

How long does the passage of oocytes take?

3 to 4 days

What is the narrowest external part of the uterine tube?

Isthmus

What is the longest and widest part of the uterine tube?

Ampulla

What is the funnel-shaped portion of the uterine tube nearest the ovary?

Infundibulum

What is the opening of the uterine tube near the ovary?

Abdominal ostium

T/F: The abdominal ostium and ovary are not connected.

True

What are the finger-like projections around the margin of the infundibulum that catch the oocyte?

Fimbriae

What is the largest fimbriae and is fused to the ovary?

Ovarian fimbriae

What is the most common location of fertillization?

Ampulla of uterine tube

What is the second-most common location of fertilization?

Infundibulum of uterine tube

What is the name for development of a fetus at some stie other than the uterine cavity?

Ectopic pregnancy

What is the most common type of ectopic pregnancy?

Tubal ectopic pregnancy

What are some risk factors for an ectopic pregnancy?

STDs

Reversal of tubal ligation

Endometriosis

Where does implantation occur in an abdominal ectopic pregnancy?

Rectouterine pouch

What are some other types of ectopic pregnancies?

Mesenteric and cervical

What forms the birth canal?

Cavities of uterus and vagina

What are the uterine features of a nulliparous woman?

Walls: thick and muscular

Shape: inverted pear

T/F: The uterus is normally both anteverted and anteflexed.

True

What happens to the uterus following menopause?

Increase in fibrous tissue and cysts

What is a retroverted uterus associated with?

1. Severe menstrual cramps

2. Unusually painful parturition

3. Increased risk for uterine prolapse

What is the term for the lower end of the uterus forming approximately a right angle with the vagina?

Anteversion

What is the term for the uterus bent downward at the junction between its body and cervix?

Anteflexion

What is the term for the uterus bent backwards in comparison to the vagina?

Retroversion

What is the other name for the isthmus of uterus?

Internal os

What is the narrow constricted portion between the body and cervix?

Isthmus of uterus (AKA internal os)

What is the opening of the cervical canal into the vagina?

External os

What is the part of the broad ligament that extends between the uterine tube and mesovarium?

Mesosalpinx

What is the part of the broad ligament that extends posteriorly to attach the ovary and ligament of the ovary?

Mesovarium

What is the part of the broad ligament that extends below the mesovarium?

Mesometrium

What are the round ligament and ligament of ovary a remntant of?

Gubernaculum of ovary

Where does the round ligament terminate?

Labia majora

What may be damaged during removal of the uterus in a hysterectomy?

Ureter

What structures give support to the uterus?

Pelvic diaphragm

Broad ligament

Pelvic viscera (bladder)

Pubocervical, transverse cervical, and uterosacral ligaments

What nodes are specifically important for the spread of cervical cancer?

Internal iliac nodes

What nodes drain the fundus and upper part of body of uterus?

Lumbar nodes

What nodes drain the lower part of body of uterus?

External iliac nodes

What are the three functions of the vagina?

Female organ of copulation

Lower portion of birth canal

Excretory duct for products of menstruation

How does the vaginal cavity communicate with the cervical canal?

External os

How does the vaginal cavity communicate with the vestibule?

Vaginal orifice

What is the recess between the cervix and walls of the vagina?

Fornix

What structures support the vagina?

Levator ani

Perineal body

Perineal membrane

Pubocervical, transverse cervical, and uterosacral ligaments (same as uterus!)

What nodes drain the upper ¾ of the vagina?

Internal iliac nodes

What nodes drain the lower ¼ of the vagina?

Superficial inguinal nodes

What nerve provides innervation to the lowermost part of the vagina?

Pudendal nerve

T/F: There is strong innervation in the vagina.

False - only in its lowermost part

What is the term for bulging of the rectum into posterior wall of the vagina?

Rectocele

What is the term for damage to anterior wall of the vagina and bulging of the bladder into the anterior wall of the vagina?

Cystocele

What is the clinical term for the uterus slipping down into the vagina and descending to an abnormally low level in the pelvis?

Uterine prolapse

What are the risk factors for uterine prolapse?

Multiple births

Retroverted uterus

What is the clinical term for an incision made from posterior wall of vagina to perineal body to prevent uncontrolled tearing of the perineum during parturition?

Episiotomy