Female Pelvic Anatomy and Function – Key Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering bones, organs, tissues, ligaments, phases, blood supply, lymphatics and external anatomy discussed in the Level-4 Female Pelvic Anatomy lecture.

Ilium

Broad, fan-shaped superior portion of each hip bone that forms the iliac crest you feel when placing hands on hips.

Pubis

Anterior part of the hip bone; left and right pubic bones meet at the pubic symphysis.

Ischium

Inferior-posterior part of the hip bone; bears body weight when sitting, hence called the "sit bones."

Acetabulum

Cup-shaped socket formed by the ilium, pubis and ischium where the femoral head articulates.

Sacrum

Wedge-shaped bone made of five fused vertebrae; supports body weight and joins the pelvic girdle.

Coccyx

Tail-bone composed of four fused vertebrae attached to the sacrum by ligaments.

Female pelvic girdle

Wide, shallow pelvis with a broad pubic arch adapted for childbirth.

Ovary

Female gonad that produces ova as well as the hormones oestrogen and progesterone; site of ovulation.

Uterine (Fallopian) tube

10–14 cm muscular tube that transports the ovum and is the usual site of fertilisation.

Fimbriae

Ciliated, finger-like projections at the distal end of the uterine tube that sweep the ovum into the tube.

Infundibulum

Funnel-shaped distal segment of the uterine tube bearing the fimbriae.

Ampulla (uterine tube)

Widest, longest section of the uterine tube where fertilisation most commonly occurs.

Isthmus (uterine tube)

Narrow, medial third of the uterine tube that opens into the uterus.

Uterus

Hollow, muscular organ divided into cervix, isthmus and corpus; supports embryo/foetus development.

Fundus of uterus

Rounded superior portion of the uterine body located above the openings of the uterine tubes.

Cervix

Lower fibromuscular part of the uterus connecting to the vagina; subdivided into endocervix and ectocervix.

Endocervix

Canal portion of cervix lined by glandular (columnar) epithelium close to the uterine cavity.

Ectocervix

Portion of cervix projecting into vagina, covered by stratified squamous epithelium.

Perimetrium

Outer serous layer of the uterus derived from peritoneum; forms vesicouterine and rectouterine pouches.

Myometrium

Middle thick smooth-muscle layer of the uterine wall responsible for contractions during labour.

Endometrium

Inner mucosal lining of the uterus with functional and basal layers that undergo cyclic changes.

Functional layer (stratum functionalis)

Superficial portion of endometrium that thickens, becomes vascular and is shed during menstruation.

Basal layer (stratum basalis)

Deep permanent layer of the endometrium that regenerates the functional layer each cycle.

Proliferative phase

First half of menstrual cycle when oestrogen stimulates endometrial thickening and vascularisation.

Secretory phase

Post-ovulation phase where endometrial glands become cork-screw shaped and secrete glycogen under progesterone influence.

Menses

Menstrual phase marked by ischaemia and shedding of the functional endometrial layer due to falling progesterone/LH.

Broad ligament

Double fold of peritoneum attaching uterus, uterine tubes and ovaries to the lateral pelvic walls.

Ovarian ligament

Fibrous cord linking the ovary to the lateral surface of the uterus.

Suspensory ligament of ovary

Peritoneal fold containing ovarian vessels that anchors the ovary to the lateral pelvic wall.

Mesovarium

Subdivision of the broad ligament connecting the anterior border of the ovary to the rest of the ligament.

Mesosalpinx

Part of broad ligament surrounding and supporting the uterine tube.

Mesometrium

Largest portion of broad ligament attaching the uterus to pelvic sidewall.

Uterosacral ligament

Peritoneal ligament running from cervix to sacrum helping maintain uterine position.

Round ligament of uterus

Fibromuscular band passing from uterus through inguinal canal to labia majora, maintaining anteversion.

Mons pubis

Fatty pad overlying pubic bone that cushions during intercourse; part of external genitalia.

Labia majora

Outer folds of skin enclosing and protecting other vulvar structures.

Labia minora

Inner hairless folds bordering the vestibule of the vulva.

Clitoris

Highly innervated erectile organ at anterior vulva covered partly by a hood; homologous to penis.

Vulva

Collective term for female external genitalia including mons pubis, labia, clitoris, urethral and vaginal openings.

Vaginal epithelium

Stratified squamous epithelium lining the vagina allowing extensive stretching.

Inguinal lymph nodes

Superficial and deep nodes receiving lymph from vulva, lower third of vagina and lower limb.

Internal iliac lymph nodes

Pelvic nodes draining uterus, upper vagina, cervix and pelvic viscera.

Uterine artery

Branch of internal iliac artery that supplies blood to the uterus and anastomoses with ovarian artery.

Internal iliac artery

Terminal branch of common iliac artery; major blood supply to pelvic organs and walls.

Endometrial cancer

Also called womb cancer; malignant growth arising from the endometrial lining of the uterus.