upper internal female genitalia anatomy

is the uterus a primary or secondary sex organ?

secondary

why is the uterus a secondary sex organ?

they mature during puberty by the influence of sex hormones produces from primary sex organs

what is the main function of the uterus?

accomodates growing foetus

what are the 3 parts of the uterus?

- fundus

- body

- cervix

where is the fundus located?

top of uterus, above uterine tubes

where is the body located?

between fundus and cervix

what is the normal orientation of the uterus?

anteverted and anteflexed

what are the 3 tissue layers of the fundus and body?

- peritoneum/perimetrium

- myometrium

- endometrium

what is the peritoneum?

double layered membrane

what is the myometrium?

thick smooth muscle layer

what is the epithelium of the uterus?

simple columnar epithelium

what are the 2 layers of the endometrium?

- deep stratum basalis

- superficial stratum functionalis

what happens to deep stratum basalis during the menstrual cycle?

does not change much and is not shed

what happens to superficial stratum functionalis during menstrual cycle? (3)

- proliferates in response to oestrogen

- becomes secretory in response to progesterone

- shed during menstruation

what are the 5 ligaments of the uterus?

- broad ligament

- round ligament

- ovarian ligament

- cardinal ligament

- uterosacral ligament

what does the broad ligament connect?

uterus, uterine tubes and ovaries to pelvis

where does the round ligament extend to and from? and what does it do?

from uterus to labia majora to keep uterus anteverted

what does the ovarian ligament connect?

ovaries to the uterus

what does the cardinal ligament connect?

cervix to side walls of pelvis

what does the cardinal ligament contain?

uterine artery and vein

what does the uterosacral ligament connect?

cervix to sacrum

what arteries supply the uterus?

uterine arteries from internal iliac artery

what veins drain the uterus?

uterine veins

what sympathetic nerves supply the uterus?

fibres from uterovaginal plexus

what parasympathetic nerves supply the uterus?

fibres from pelvic splanchnic nerves

what are the uterine tubes?

hollow muscular tubes

where do the uterine tubes extend to and from?

from uterus to ovaries

what is the main function of the uterine tubes?

transfer and transport of ovum from the ovary to the uterus

what are the 3 layers of the uterine tubes?

- mucosa

- muscularis

- serosa

what is the mucosa of the uterine tubes lined with? (2)

- ciliated simple columnar epithelial cells

- peg cells (non-ciliated secretory cells)

what is the function of the ciliated columnar epithelial cells?

waft the ovum towards the nutrients

what is the smooth muscles layer of uterine tubes sensitive to?

sex steroids - so peristalsis is greater when oestrogen levels are high

what are the 4 parts of the uterine tubes?

- isthmus

- ampulla

- infundibulum

- fimbriae

what is the isthmus of the uterine tubes?

shortest section between uterine cavity and ampulla

what is the ampulla of the uterine tubes?

longest section of uterine tubes between ampulla and infundibulum - usually where fertilisation takes place

what is the infundibulum of the uterine tubes?

funnel-shaped opening between the ampulla and fimbriae

what are the fimbriae of the uterine tubes?

finger-like, cilliated projections which capture the ovum from surface of ovary

what arteries supply the uterine tubes? (2)

uterine and ovarian arteries

what veins drain the uterine tubes? (2)

uterine and ovarian veins

what nerves innervate the uterine tubes? (2)

nerves from uterine and ovarian plexuses

what are the ovaries attached to?

broad ligament of the uterus

how are the ovaries attached to the broad ligament of uterus?

by mesovarium

what are the 2 main functions of the ovaries?

- produce oocytes

- to produce oestrogen and progesterone

what are the 3 histological regions of the ovary?

- surface

- cortex

- medulla

what is the surface of the ovary composed of?

simple cuboidal epithelium (also known as germinal epithelium)

what is the cortex of the ovary composed of?

connective tissue stroma and ovarian follicles

what do the ovarian follicles consist of?

oocyte surrounded by single layer of follicular cells

what is the medulla of the ovaries composed of?

loose connective tissue and a rich neurovascular network which enters via the hilum of the ovary

what arteries supply the ovaries? (2)

ovarian - from abdominal aorta

uterine - from internal iliac

what veins drain the ovaries? (2)

- left ovarian vein - into left renal vein

- right ovarian vein - into inf vena cava

what nerves supply the ovaries?

nerves from ovarian and uterine plexuses

what are the ligaments of the ovary? (2)

- suspensory ligament of ovary

- ligament of ovary

what does the suspensory ligament of ovary do? (2)

- connects mesovarium to pelvic wall

- contains neurovascular structures

what does the ligament of ovary do?

connects ovary to fundus of uterus

what are the 2 pouches found in female pelvis?

- rectouterine pouch (of douglas)

- vesicouterine pouch

where is the rectouterine pouch?

between uterus and rectum

where is the vesicouterine pouch?

between bladder and uterus

what is the relation of the bladder and uterus to the peritoneum?

infraperitoneal