Anatomy - Female Reproductive Organs

what are the components of the female reproductive system?

• vulva

• vagina

• cervix

• uterus

• fallopian tubes

• ovaries

what are the functions of vulva?

• micturition

• sensation during intercourse

• protection from infection

what are the structures of the vulva?

• mons pubis

• labia majora

• labia minora

• vestibule

• Bartholin’s glands

• clitoris

the mons pubis is the fusion of what?

labia majora

what describes the labia majora?

hair-bearing external skin folds

what describes labia minora?

hairless skin folds

the labia minora fuses anteriorly to form what?

clitoral hood (prepuce)

the labia minora fuses posteriorly to form what?

fourchette

the vulva vestibule is enclosed by what?

the labia minora

the vulva vestibule contains what?

vaginal and urethral orifices

what is the clitoris?

erectile organ responsible for sexual sensation

the body of the vulva consists of what?

two corpora cavernosa attached to vestibule by the crura

vaginal orifice may be partially covered by what?

hymen

what is the bulb of vestibule?

pair of erectile tissue analogous to the penile bulb and corpus spongiosum

bartholin’s glands help do what?

lubricate the opening

bartholin’s (great vestibular) is located where?

on either side of vaginal opening

lesser vestibular glands are found where?

between urethral and vaginal orifices

what describes a bartholin’s cyst?

obstruction in surrounding ducts → bland becomes filled with fluid and expands → cyst

if a bartholin’s cyst becomes infected, what forms?

an abscess that requires surgical intervention

what is the blood supply to the vulva?

pudendal arteries (external and internal)

the blood supply to the vulva is drained by what?

pudendal veins

what is the sensory innervation to the anterior aspect of the vulva?

ilioinguinal and genitofemoral nerves

what is the sensory innervation to the posterior aspect of the vulva?

pudendal nerve and posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh

what describes the vagina?

distensible muscular tube

the vagina extends from where to where?

the external vaginal orifice to the cervix

what is anterior to the vagina?

bladder and urethra

what is posterior to the vagina?

rectouterine pouch, rectum, anal canal

what is lateral to the vagina?

ureters and levator ani muscles

what describes the vaginal fistula?

open communication between the vagina and an adjacent pelvic organ

vaginal fistulas are typically a result of what?

prolonged labor

normal fistulas are normally caused by what?

inflammatory bowel syndrome, crohn’s

what are the main types of vaginal fistulas?

• vesicovaginal (bladder-vagina)

• urethrovaginal (urethra-vagina)

• rectovaginal (rectum-vagina)

what vagina is supplied by what?

uterine and vaginal arteries (branches of internal iliac)

what describes the venous drainage of the vagina?

vaginal plexus → uterine vein → internal iliac vein

anterior fornix and posterior fornix surround what?

the cervix

the posterior fornix is significant because it is what?

a natural reservoir for semen

what is the lower part of the uterus called?

cervix

the cervix is continuous with the uterus, but what?

structurally distinct

the ectocervix projects into what?

vaginal lumen

what is the central opening of the ectocervix?

external os

what is the endocervix?

inner mucus, secreting canal that extends between external and internal os

what is the function of the cervix?

sperm entry during ovulation, physical barrier

what is the blood supply to cervix?

uterine artery (branches of internal iliac)

what describes the venous drainage of the cervix?

uterine plexus → uterine vein → internal iliac vein

what describes the uterus?

thick-walled muscular expansible organ

the uterus is connected distally to what?

vagina

the uterus is connected laterally to what?

uterine tubes

what are the parts of the uterus?

fundus, body, cervix

what are the 3 histological tissue layers of the uterus?

• perimetrium

• myometrium

• endometrium (stratum basalis and stratum functionalis)

what is the normal position of the uterus?

anteverted to vagina; anteflexed to cervix

what is the normal location of the uterus?

posterosuperior to bladder and anterior to rectum

what describes the broad ligament?

double layer of peritoneum attaches sides of uterus to pelvis

what describes the round ligament?

extends from uterine horns to labia major via the inguinal canal

what describes the ovarian ligament?

connects ovaries to uterus

what describes the uterosacral ligament?

extends from cervix to sacrum

what are the parts of the broad ligament?

• mesovarium

• mesoalpinx

• mesometrium

what describes the cardinal ligament?

extends from cervix to lateral pelvic walls

the cardinal ligament contains what?

uterine artery and vein

fallopian tubes extend laterally from what?

uterus

the fallopian tubes open into what?

the abdominal cavity

fallopian tubes lie where?

in the upper border of the broad ligament (mesosalphinx)

what is the function of the fallopian tubes?

transfer and transport of ovum from ovary to uterus

what are the parts of the fallopian tubes?

• isthmus (most narrow)

• ampulla (widest part)

• infundibulum

• fimbriae

95% of ectopic pregnancies are what?

tubal

what is the most common cause of ectopic pregnancies?

salpingitis that leads to peritubal adhesions

the ovarian artery comes from what?

the lateral part of abdominal aorta

what describes the ovaries?

female oval gonadal organs

the ovaries are attached to what?

posterior surface of broad ligament by mesovarium

what are the two peritoneal ligaments that support the ovaries?

• suspensory ligament of the ovary

• ligament of the ovary

the suspensory ligament of the ovary extends from where to where?

mesovarium to pelvic wall

the ligament of ovary continues to the labium majora as waht?

the round ligament

ligament of ovary extends from what?

ovary to fundus of uterus

the ovarian artery reaches the ovary by traveling within what?

the suspensory ligament