Concise Summary of Female Reproductive and Genital System

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, and broad ligaments.

2. State peritoneal relationships of the ovary and the uterine tube.

3. Identify the component parts of the uterine tube and uterus, including normal position of the uterus.

4. Describe peritoneal relationships of the uterus and vagina; identify immediate visceral relationships of the uterus.

5. Identify the walls and fornices of the vagina and their immediate visceral relations.

6. Describe supports of the uterus and identify external genitalia parts.

7. Describe the blood supply and lymph drainage of the female genital tract.

Uterus

• Structure: A thick-walled, pear-shaped, hollow muscular organ that lies in the lesser pelvis and is divided into two main parts: the muscular body (corpus uteri) and the fibrous cervix (cervix uteri).

• Function: Facilitates ovulation, provides nourishment to the embryo and fetus, and contracts during childbirth.

• Position: The body rests on the urinary bladder, with the cervix between the bladder and rectum. Its cervix lies between the bladder (anterior) and the rectum (posterior): forms the vesicouterine pouch and the rectouterine pouch/pouch of Douglas

• ~7.5 cm long, 5 cm wide, 2 cm thick, 90 g

  

Uterine Parts

• Fundus: Rounded upper part of the uterus.

• Body: Upper two-thirds forming the main region.

• Cervix: Lower third that protrudes into the vagina.

Uterine Cavity

• Dimensions: Slit-like, roughly 6 cm long, extends from external os to the fundus, continues as the cervical canal.

• Birth canal: Formed by the uterine cavity and vagina.

Positions of the Uterus

• Normal positions: Anteflexed (125°) and anteverted (90°).

• Other positions include retroflexed, retroverted, and prolapsed.

Supports of the Uterus

1. Muscular supports: Pelvic diaphragm, urogenital diaphragm, perineal body.

2. Mechanical supports: Position (anteverted/retroverted).

3. Ligaments: True (pubocervical, transverse cervical, uterosacral) and false ligaments (e.g., broad ligament).

Broad Ligament

• Components: Includes mesometrium, mesosalpinx, mesovarium, and suspensory ligament of the ovary.

• Function: Contains adnexa, blood vessels, ovarian and uterine arteries, and supports adjacent organs.

Ovaries

• Location: Ovarian fossa in the lateral pelvic wall, descended from the abdomen.

• Support: Suspended by suspensory ligament of the ovary and connected to the uterus by the ovarian ligament.

Uterine Tubes (Oviducts)

• Parts: Infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, and intramural part, facilitating egg transport to the uterus.

Vagina

• Location: Posterior to the bladder and anterior to the rectum, serves as the canal ensheathing the cervix.

External Genitalia

• Components: Mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral and vaginal orifices.

• Functions: Sensory and erectile tissue for sexual arousal, urine flow direction, and protection of the urogenital tract.