Anatomy6: Female Reproductive Anatomy

Female Reproductive Organs Anatomy

Overview of Female Reproductive Organs

  • All organs located within the pelvis

  • Supported by ligaments

  • Major components include:

    • Vulva

    • Vagina

    • Cervix

    • Uterus

    • Fallopian tubes

    • Ovaries

Diagram References

  • Figure 28-19: Anatomy of female reproductive organs (arteries and veins, ligaments, uterine structure, etc.)

  • Figure 28-21: Additional views of anatomy.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the anatomy of:

    • Ovaries

    • Uterine tubes

    • Uterus

    • Cervix

    • Vagina

    • Understand their peritoneal coverings

  • Apply the knowledge of anatomy to clinical scenarios.

Resources for Presentation

  • The presentation is derived from multiple anatomical texts:

    • Snell’s Clinical Anatomy

    • Moore’s Clinical Anatomy

    • Gray’s Anatomy

    • Complete Anatomy

    • Netter’s Anatomy

  • All images and information are used for educational purposes and referenced accordingly.

Detailed Description of Vulva

  • Vulva (also known as pudendum) serves multiple functions:

    • Micturition

    • Sensation during intercourse

    • Protection from infections.

Structures of Vulva

  • Composed of:

    • Mons pubis: Fatty tissue anterior to the pubic symphysis

    • Labia majora: Hair-bearing outer skin folds

    • Labia minora: Hairless inner skin folds

    • Vestibule: Area enclosed by labia minora containing openings to the urethra and vagina

    • Bartholin’s glands: Greater vestibular glands located bilaterally near vaginal opening

    • Clitoris: Erectile organ responsible for sexual sensation.

Detailed Anatomy of Vulva

  • Labia majora: Features hair and external skin

  • Labia minora: No hair, internal skin folds that enclose the vestibule, containing orifices.

  • Clitoral Hood (prepuce): Covers the clitoris

  • Fourchette: Name for the area where labia minora meet posteriorly

  • Bulb of vestibule: Erectile tissues analogous to penile bulb and corpus spongiosum

Bartholin’s Cyst

  • Affects roughly 1 in 50 sexually active women

  • Caused by obstruction in surrounding ducts leading to fluid accumulation and cyst formation

  • Small cysts: typically painless

  • Infected cysts may cause abscess: painful and may require surgical intervention.

Blood Supply and Innervation of Vulva

  • Supplied by pudendal arteries (external and internal)

  • Drainage via pudendal veins

  • Sensory innervation:

    • Anterior aspect: ilioinguinal and genitofemoral nerves

    • Posterior aspect: pudendal nerve and posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh.

Description of Vagina

  • Vagina: A distensible muscular tube extending from external vaginal orifice to the cervix

  • Manages to normally remain collapsed

  • Relations with adjacent organs include:

    • Anterior: bladder and urethra

    • Posterior: rectouterine pouch, rectum, anal canal

    • Lateral: ureters and levator ani muscles

Vaginal Fistula

  • Defined as an open communication between vagina and adjacent pelvic organ

  • Often a result of prolonged labor

  • Main types:

    • Vesicovaginal

    • Urethrovaginal

    • Rectovaginal

Blood Supply to Vagina

  • Vagina is supplied by uterine and vaginal arteries (branches of internal iliac artery)

  • Venous drainage through vaginal plexus leading to uterine vein and internal iliac vein.

Vaginal Fornices

  • Features anterior and posterior fornices which surround the cervix

  • Distinct appearance in anatomical imaging:

    • Posterior fornix

    • Anterior dome

    • Posterior dome

Description of Cervix

  • Cervix: Lower segment of the uterus

  • Structurally distinct and continuous with the uterus

    • Ectocervix: Projects into the vaginal lumen with a central opening called external os

    • Endocervix: Inner mucus-secreting canal extending from external to internal os

  • Functions include:

    • Allowing sperm entry during ovulation

    • Serving as a physical barrier at other times.

Blood Supply of Cervix

  • Supplied mainly by the uterine artery

  • Venous drainage: uterine plexus → uterine vein → internal iliac vein.

Description of Uterus

  • The uterus is a thick-walled, muscular organ with expansible nature

  • Connection points include:

    • Distally to vagina

    • Laterally to uterine tubes

  • Constituent parts:

    • Fundus

    • Body

    • Cervix

  • Histological layers:

    • Perimetrium (outer layer)

    • Myometrium (middle muscle layer)

    • Endometrium (inner layer, further divided into stratum basalis and stratum functionalis)

  • Normal positioning:

    • Anteverted with respect to vagina

    • Anteflexed concerning cervix

  • Location is posterosuperior to bladder and anterior to rectum.

Ligaments of the Uterus

  • Broad ligament: A double layer of peritoneum attaching the sides of the uterus to the pelvic walls

  • Round ligament: Extends from uterine horns to labia majora via inguinal canal

  • Ovarian ligament: Connects ovaries to the uterus

  • Uterosacral ligament: Extends from cervix to sacrum

  • Cardinal ligament: Extends from cervix to lateral pelvic walls, containing the uterine artery and vein.

Description of Fallopian Tubes

  • Also known as uterine tubes, oviducts, or salpinx

  • Extend laterally from the uterus into the abdominal cavity

  • Situate along the upper border of the broad ligament (mesosalpinx)

  • Primary function: transfer and transport of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus

  • Parts of the fallopian tubes:

    • Fimbriae

    • Infundibulum

    • Ampulla

    • Isthmus

Ectopic Pregnancy

  • Approximately 95% of ectopic pregnancies are tubal in origin

  • Can arise from salpingitis leading to peritubal adhesions

  • The outcome is dependent on the site of ectopic implantation.

Description of Ovaries

  • The ovaries are female gonadal organs, typically oval in shape

  • Attached to the posterior surface of the broad ligament via the mesovarium

  • Supported by two peritoneal ligaments:

    • Suspensory ligament of the ovary: Extends from mesovarium to pelvic wall

    • Ligament of ovary: Connects the ovary to the uterus and continues to the labium majora as the round ligament

  • The ovarian ligament connects to the ovary traveling within the suspensory ligament.

Summary and Review

  • Emphasis on the anatomical components and their relationship to surrounding structures in the female reproductive system for a comprehensive understanding of anatomy in clinical context.