Normal Anatomy and Physiology of the female pelvis worksheet

Coccygeus muscle

One of two muscles in the pelvic diaphragm; located on the posterior pelvic floor, where it supports the coccyx

False Pelvis

Portion of pelvis found above the brim; that portion of the abdominal cavity cradled by the iliac fossae

Iliacus muscle

Paired triangular, flat muscles that cover the inner covered surface of the iliac fossae; arise from the iliac fossae, and join the psoas major muscles to form the lateral wall of the pelvis and assist in hip flexion.

Iliopectineal line

A boy ridge on the inner surface of the ileum and pubic bones that divides the true and false pelvis

Levator Ani Muscle

One of two muscles of the pelvic diaphragm that stretch across the floor of the pelvic cavity like a hammock, supporting the pelvic organs and surrounding the urethra, vagina, and rectum.

Obturator internus muscle

A triangular sheet of muscle that arises from the anterolateral pelvic wall and surrounds the obturator foramen; passes through the lesser sciatic foramen and inserts in the greater trochanter of the femur, aiding in lateral rotation of the hip.

Piriformis muscle

A flat, pyramidal muscle arising from the anterior sacrum, passing through the greater sciatic notch to insert into the superior aspect of the greater trochanter of the femur and assists in lateral rotation of the hip.

Psoas major muscle

Paired muscle that originates at the transverse process of the lumbar vertebrae and extends inferiorly through the false pelvis on the pelvic sidewall, where it unties with the iliacus muscle to form the iliopsoas, which is a primary hip flexor.

Striations

Parallel longitudinal lines commonly seen in muscle tissue when imaged sonographically; appear as hyperechoic parallel lines running along the long axis of the hypoechoic muscle fibers, indicating the presence of muscle structure.

True pelvis

Pelvic cavity found below the brim of the pelvis

Normal length of ovary

2.5-4cm

Normal width of an ovary

1.2-2cm

Normal height of an ovary

2cm

Ovary dimensions during menarche

3×2×2cm

Average volume of ovary

LxWxHx0.523cm

Normal length of the uterus

7.5cm

Normal AP of uterus

3cm

Normal width of uterus

5cm

Anteverted

Position of the uterus when the uterus is slightly tipped forward so that the cervix forms a 90-degree angle or less with the vaginal canal; most common uterine position

Anteflexed

Position of the uterus when the uterine fundus bends slightly forward toward the cervix

Broad ligament

Broad fold of peritoneum draped over the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries; extends from the sides of the uterus to the pelvic sidewall, dividing the pelvis from side to side and creating the vesicouterine pouch

Cardinal Ligament

Wide bands of fibromuscular tissue arising from the lateral aspects of the cervix and inserting along the lateral pelvic floor; a continuation of the broad ligament that provides rigid support for the cervix; also called the transverse cervical ligaments

Estrogen

Steroidal hormone secreted by the theca interna and granulosa cells of the ovarian follicle that stimulates the development of the female reproductive structures and secondary sexual characteristics; promotes the growth of the endometrial tissue during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle; the female hormone produced by the ovary

Mesosalpinx

Upper portion of the broad ligament that encloses the fallopian tubes

Mesovarium

Posterior portion of the broad ligament that is drawn out to enclose and hold the ovary in place

Ovarian ligament

Paired ligament that extends from the inferior and/or medial pole of the ovary to the uterine cornua

Perimetrium

Serous membrane enveloping the uterus; also called serosa

Progesterone

Steroidal hormone produced by the corpus luteum that helps prepare and maintain the endometrium for arrival and implantation of an embryo

Corpus Luteum

Anatomic structure on the surface of the ovary consisting of a spheroid of yellowish tissue that grows within the ruptured ovarian follicle after ovulation; acts as a short-lived endocrine organ that secretes progesterone to maintain decidual layer of the endometrium should conception occur

Retroflexed

Position of the uterus when the uterine fundus bends posteriorly upon the cervix

Retroverted

Position of the uterus when the entire uterus is tipped posteriorly so that the angle formed between the cervix and the vaginal canal is greater than 90 degrees

Round ligament

Paired ligaments that originate at the uterine cornua, anterior to the fallopian tubes, and course anterolaterally within the broad ligament to insert into the fascia of the labia majora; they hold the uterus forward in its anteverted position

Space of Retzius

Located between the anterior bladder wall and the pubic symphysis; contains extraperitoneal fat

Suspensory ligament

Paired ligaments that extend from the infundibulum of the fallopian tube and the lateral aspect of the ovary to the lateral pelvic wall

Uterosacral ligament

Posterior portion of the cardinal ligament that extends from the cervix to the sacrum

Amenorrhea

Absence of mensuration

Dysmenorrhea

Pain associated with menstruation

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulated the growth and maturation of graafian follicles in the ovary

Gonadotrophin

Hormone substance that stimulates the function of the testes and the ovaries

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone

Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone by the anterior pituitary gland

Luteinizing hormone

Hormone secreting by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates ovulation and then induces luteinization of the ruptured follicle to form the corpus luteum

Menarche

Refers to the onset of menstruation and the commencement of cyclic menstrual function; usually occurs between 11-13 years

Menopause

Refers to cessation of menstruation

Menses

Periodic flow of blood and cellular debris that occurs during menstruation

Menorrhagia

Abnormally heavy or long menstrual periods

Oligomenorrhea

Abnormally light menstruation periods

Premenarche

Time period in young girls before the onset of menstruation

The anterior cul-de-sac, or ___________ pouch, is located anterior to the fundus of the uterus between the urinary bladder and the uterus

vesicouterine

The posterior cul-de-sac, or ___________ pouch, is located posterior to the uterus between the uterus and the rectum

rectouterine

The rectouterine pouch is often referred to as the pouch of __________ and is normally the most inferior and most posterior region of the peritoneal cavity

douglas

An additional sonographically significant area is the retropubic space, which is also called the space of __________

retzius

The retropubic space normally can be identified between the __________ bladder wall and the pubic symphysis

anterior

The retropubic space normally contains subcutaneous fat, but a hematoma or abscess in this location may displace the urinary bladder __________

posteriorly

The greatest quantity of free fluid in the cul-de-sac normally occurs immediately following ___________, when the mature follicle ruptures

ovulation