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Questions and Answers
Which structure is located over the symphysis pubis?
Which structure is located over the symphysis pubis?
Which of the following structures is NOT part of the vulva?
Which of the following structures is NOT part of the vulva?
Which function is associated with Bartholin's glands?
Which function is associated with Bartholin's glands?
What is the function of the hymen?
What is the function of the hymen?
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Which structure is found at the entry of the vagina?
Which structure is found at the entry of the vagina?
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What is the primary purpose of the mucus secreted at the vaginal orifice?
What is the primary purpose of the mucus secreted at the vaginal orifice?
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Where is the vaginal orifice located?
Where is the vaginal orifice located?
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What anatomical feature is involved in the secretion of mucus at the vaginal orifice?
What anatomical feature is involved in the secretion of mucus at the vaginal orifice?
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Which physiological process primarily benefits from the lubrication provided by the vaginal orifice mucus?
Which physiological process primarily benefits from the lubrication provided by the vaginal orifice mucus?
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What is another term used to refer to the vaginal orifice?
What is another term used to refer to the vaginal orifice?
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What is the primary function of the clitoris?
What is the primary function of the clitoris?
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Where is the clitoris located in relation to the labia minora?
Where is the clitoris located in relation to the labia minora?
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What anatomical feature does the clitoris correspond to in males?
What anatomical feature does the clitoris correspond to in males?
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Which characteristic best describes the composition of the clitoris?
Which characteristic best describes the composition of the clitoris?
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What structures are found above and below the clitoris?
What structures are found above and below the clitoris?
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What type of epithelium covers the endometrial layer?
What type of epithelium covers the endometrial layer?
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What processes lead to the loss of the endometrial epithelium?
What processes lead to the loss of the endometrial epithelium?
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Which of the following statements about the endometrium is true?
Which of the following statements about the endometrium is true?
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During which physiological condition is the endometrial epithelium primarily lost?
During which physiological condition is the endometrial epithelium primarily lost?
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What is the primary function of the endometrial layer in the uterus?
What is the primary function of the endometrial layer in the uterus?
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What is the primary reason for the acidic environment of the vagina?
What is the primary reason for the acidic environment of the vagina?
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What is the pH level of the vaginal environment?
What is the pH level of the vaginal environment?
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Which organism is primarily responsible for the production of lactic acid in the vagina?
Which organism is primarily responsible for the production of lactic acid in the vagina?
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How does the acidic environment of the vagina function against infections?
How does the acidic environment of the vagina function against infections?
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What is the source of glycogen in the vaginal epithelium?
What is the source of glycogen in the vaginal epithelium?
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What is the primary function of the bony pelvis in women?
What is the primary function of the bony pelvis in women?
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How is the female bony pelvis specifically adapted?
How is the female bony pelvis specifically adapted?
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Which of the following statements about the bony pelvis is FALSE?
Which of the following statements about the bony pelvis is FALSE?
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What aspect of the bony pelvis distinguishes it in females compared to males?
What aspect of the bony pelvis distinguishes it in females compared to males?
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Why is the structure of the bony pelvis critical for lower body function?
Why is the structure of the bony pelvis critical for lower body function?
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Study Notes
Anatomy of Female Reproductive Organs
- The female reproductive system consists of bony pelvis and soft tissue
- Soft tissue consists of external and internal female genital organs
External Female Genital Organs (The Vulva)
- Mons Pubis/Mons Veneris: A pad of fat covered with pubic hair, located over the symphysis pubis. Its function is the protection of the symphysis pubis during intercourse.
- Labia Majora: Two folds of fatty tissue, covered with skin and pubic hair, containing sweat and oil-secreting glands. Located emerging from the mons pubis and merging into the perineum. Function is the protection of the vaginal introitus.
- Labia Minora: Two thin folds of hairless skin between the labia majora, enclosing the clitoris. They contain glands that lubricate the vulva, swelling due to stimulation.
- Clitoris: A small erectile organ, highly sensitive and vascular, located at the anterior junction of the labia minora. Function is sexual stimulation.
- Vestibule: The area between the labia minora that contains the urethral meatus and vaginal introitus. It contains Bartholin’s glands.
- Urethral Orifice: Located 2.5 cm posterior to the clitoris, Skene's glands are on each side to secrete a mucus, keeping the opening moist.
- Vaginal Orifice (Vaginal Introitus): The opening to the vagina which is partially closed by the hymen, a thin membrane. The hymen has different shapes including annular, cresentic, cribiform, elastic, imperforate, rigid, torn.
- Hymen: A thin membrane found intact in a virgin (referred as intact Virgo), that tears during sexual intercourse and childbirth. It has one or more openings to allow the escape of menstrual blood .
- Bartholin's Glands: Two small glands located on either side of the vaginal orifice, secreting mucus during intercourse as a lubricant .
- Fourchette: The posterior junction of the labia minora.
- Perineum: The most posterior part of the external female reproductive organs, located between the vulva and anus. It is made up of skin, muscle, and fascia and can be lacerated or incised during childbirth.
Internal Female Genital Organs
- Ovaries: Almond-shaped glands, about 2-5 grams in weight and 4 cm long, located on either side of the uterus, below and behind the fimbriated ends of the fallopian tubes. Key functions are ovum development and release, and hormone secretion (estrogen, progesterone, androgens). Structure includes the medulla (which contains blood vessels, nerves) and the cortex (which contains ovarian follicles).
- Fallopian Tubes/Uterine Tubes: Extend laterally from the uterus to the pelvic walls. Openings near the ovaries allow sperm or the egg to be received. The functions are to receive the spermatozoa, provide a site for fertilization, transport and pick up the ovum, and transport and nourish the embryo. Structure includes the parts: interstitial portion, isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum.
- Uterus: A hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ in non-pregnant women; 7.5 cm long, 5 cm wide, and 2.5 cm deep, with a 1.25 cm thick wall. The key functions are sheltering a fetus during pregnancy and expelling uterine contents after pregnancy. Structure includes the body (corpus), fundus, cornua, cavity, isthmus, cervix (neck), internal os, external os and cervical canal. The layers are peritoneum, myometrium and endometrium (the mucous membrane).
- Vagina: A musculo-membranous canal situated in front of the rectum and behind the bladder, passing along the pelvic brim, typically 10cm long. The structure is an H-shape in nulliparous women and has a posterior and an anterior wall. The function is to be a passageway for the exit of menstruation and menstrual secretions. It receives semen and provides an exit for the fetus. The lining has an acidic environment protecting against ascending infections
Female Bony Pelvis
- The bony pelvis is a ring-shaped structure that transmits body weight down to the lower extremities
- It is structured to adapt to the demands of childbearing which includes two main parts false and true pelvis
Pelvic Ligaments
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Sacrospinous ligament: Connects the lateral aspect of the sacrum to the ischial spines.
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Sacrotuberous ligament: Connects the lateral aspect of the sacrum to the ischial tuberosity's inner aspect.
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Sacroiliac ligament: Connects the ilium’s medial surface to the sacrum.
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Illiolumbar ligament: Connects the iliac crest to the lumbar vertebra.
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Fetal Skull: The skull forms from the face, vault, and base. Formed by: 2 frontal bones, 2 parietal bones, 2 temporal bones, wings of the sphenoid bone, and occipital bone. The vault-formed bones are not joined enabling molding during childbirth.
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Fetal Skull Sutures: Frontal, sagittal, coronal, lambdoid.
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Pelvic Dimensions: Anteroposterior, transverse, oblique. Different dimensions are critical for determining the feasibility of vaginal delivery in childbirth.
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Types of Bony Pelvis: Gynecoid, Android, Anthropoid, Platypelloid (relative prominence of specific features in different types.)
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Description
This quiz explores the anatomy of the female reproductive system, focusing on both external and internal organs. You'll learn about key structures such as the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris, along with their functions. Test your knowledge of these essential components of the female reproductive system.
