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Questions and Answers

What changes occur to the ovaries after puberty in terms of their external features?

The surface becomes uneven and changes in color from pink to grey. (correct)

The surface remains smooth and greyish pink.

The ovaries increase in size without changing color.

There is a decrease in vascular supply, making the surface paler.

Which arteries provide blood supply to the ovaries?

Internal iliac artery and ovarian vein.

Common femoral artery and external iliac artery.

Renal artery and inferior mesenteric artery.

Ovarian artery and uterine artery. (correct)

What is the venous drainage system of the ovaries?

Veins drain directly into the inferior vena cava.

Veins converge at the uterine artery before entering the pelvic cavity.

Veins from the ovaries merge with the renal veins.

Veins emerge at the hilus forming a pampiniform plexus. (correct)

The sympathetic nerve supply to the ovaries is primarily responsible for which function?

Transmission of pain signals and vasomotor control. Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical feature differentiates the two poles of the ovaries?

The distinction between the tubal pole and uterine pole. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes reteroversion and reteroflexion in relation to the uterus?

Backward displacement of the uterus Signup and view all the answers

Which description fits the anterior wall of the vagina in its nulliparous state?

Approximately 8 cm long Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is directly involved in enclosing the clitoris?

Labia minora Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the upper third of the vaginal lumen?

Round Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the role of the glans of the clitoris?

Major role in sexual response Signup and view all the answers

What type of tissue composes the bulb of the vestibule?

Erectile tissue Signup and view all the answers

Which structure serves as a fatty eminence over the pubic symphysis?

Mons pubis Signup and view all the answers

In terms of position, how does the cervix tilt in the adult nulliparous state?

Forward tilt Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the vestibular glands of Bartholin?

To secrete lubricating fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the hymen?

It exclusively indicates virginity Signup and view all the answers

What condition does an imperforate hymen describe?

A hymen completely obstructing the vagina Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about episiotomy is true?

It involves a surgical incision during labor Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary anatomical location of the mammary glands in females?

In the superficial fascia of the anterior chest wall Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the axillary tail of Spence in mammary gland anatomy?

It is an extension into the axilla Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the mammary glands in males?

Rudimentary and underdeveloped Signup and view all the answers

What does a vaginal smear test typically examine?

Vaginal discharge for infections Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the areola?

It has tubercles of Montgomery that lubricate the breast during breastfeeding. Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical feature becomes weak in elderly females, contributing to breast sagging?

Suspensory ligament of Cooper Signup and view all the answers

In which area is the majority of breast cancers likely to develop?

Upper outer quadrant Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of lactiferous ducts in the mammary gland?

They drain individual lobes and direct milk to the nipple. Signup and view all the answers

What does peau d'orange refer to in clinical anatomy?

An appearance of skin caused by lymphatic edema. Signup and view all the answers

Which structure in the breast may become approximately fixed to the chest wall due to advanced carcinoma?

Pectoralis major muscle Signup and view all the answers

What structure connects the breast to the dermis of the skin?

Suspensory ligaments Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the lactiferous ducts during breastfeeding?

They undergo dilation called lactiferous sinuses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a function of the perineal body in the pelvic floor?

Maintains the integrity of the pelvic floor Signup and view all the answers

Which structure connects the upper pole of the ovary to the lateral pelvic wall?

Infundibulopelvic ligament Signup and view all the answers

What might occur if the perineal body is damaged during childbirth?

Prolapse of pelvic viscera Signup and view all the answers

Where does the right ovarian vein drain into?

Inferior vena cava (IVC) Signup and view all the answers

Which lymph nodes are responsible for draining the round ligament of the uterus?

Superficial inguinal nodes Signup and view all the answers

Which spinal segments provide the sympathetic fibers for the inferior hypogastric plexus?

T12-L1 Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential outcome of uterine prolapse?

Downward displacement of the uterus Signup and view all the answers

Which activity is associated with parasympathetic fibers in the inferior hypogastric plexus?

Uterine inhibition Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the ovaries?

Production of hormones oestrogen and progesterone Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the uterine tube is situated closest to the uterus?

Pars uterina tubae Signup and view all the answers

What condition describes the inflammation of the uterine tube?

Salpingitis Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT considered an applied condition related to the uterine tubes?

Endometrial hyperplasia Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical feature facilitates the transport of ova into the uterine tube?

Ciliary action of the fimbriae Signup and view all the answers

The condition where the ovaries are displaced to the pouch of Douglas is known as what?

Ovarian prolapse Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the uterus is primarily involved in the bending of the reproductive axis, referred to as anteflexion?

Body Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve supply corresponds to the medial part of the uterine tube?

Pelvic splanchnic nerves Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Female Reproductive System Overview

The female reproductive tract is located within the pelvic cavity and perineum.
During pregnancy, the tract extends into the abdomen.
Learning outcomes include describing the gross anatomy of the ovary, fallopian tube, and uterus, applied anatomy pertaining to clinical conditions, the gross anatomy of the vagina and external genitalia, and the anatomy of the mammary gland.

Ovaries

Ovaries are the female gonads.
Oocytes are produced within the ovaries.
The ovaries are situated within the ovarian fossa on the lateral pelvic wall.
Young girls' ovaries prior to ovulation exhibit smooth, grayish-pink surfaces.
Post-puberty, the ovarian surface becomes uneven and the color changes to gray.
Each ovary has two poles: a tubal pole superiorly and a uterine pole inferiorly.
Two borders exist: a mesovarian (anterior) and a free (posterior) border.
Two surfaces are present: a lateral and a medial surface.
Arterial supply is by the ovarian artery originating from the abdominal aorta.
Venous drainage occurs at the hilum, forming a pampiniform plexus around the artery.
Lymphatic drainage occurs through lateral and pre-aortic nodes.
Nerve supply includes afferent pain fibers and vasomotor sympathetic nerves (T10, T11), and vasodilator parasympathetic nerves (S2, S3, S4).
Functions include oocyte production and hormone secretion (estrogen and progesterone).
Common applied anatomy issues include ovarian prolapse (displaced to Douglas pouch), ovarian cysts (from arrested follicular development), and Krukenberg's tumor.

Uterine Tubes (Fallopian Tubes)

Also known as fallopian tubes.
Paired tortuous ducts that transport ova from the ovaries to the uterine cavity.
Approximately 10 cm in length.
Located in the upper free margin of the broad ligament of the uterus.
Transport facilitated by longitudinal grooves on ovarian fimbria, ciliary beat-induced suction, and peristalsis of the tubal musculature.
Two openings: uterine ostium (internal) and pelvic/abdominal ostium (external).
Four parts: pars uterina (intramural), isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum (with fimbriae).
Blood supply via ovarian and uterine arteries.
Nerve supply via sympathetic (T10-L2) and parasympathetic (vagus and pelvic splanchnic) nerves.
Potential applied anatomy concerns: tubal pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy), pyosalpinx (pus-filled tube), salpingitis (inflammation), sterility (tubal blockage), and tubectomy (ligation of both tubes).

Uterus

Pear-shaped, hollow, thick-walled organ.
Located within the true pelvis, between the bladder and rectum.
Covered with peritoneum (except anteriorly).
Consists of two parts: the corpus (upper 2/3) and the cervix (lower 1/3).
Positions: anteflexion (body bent forward), anteversion (cervix tilted forward), retroversion (body tilted backward), and retroflexion (body flexed backward).
The broad ligament has subdivisions:
- Mesovarium (attaches ovary to posterior ligament layers)
- Ovarian ligament (connects ovary's lower pole to uterine lateral angle)
- Mesosalpinx (connects uterine tube to ovary's ovarian ligament)
- Mesometrium (area below the ovarian ligament).
- Infundibulopelvic ligament (supports the ovary)

Vagina

Female organ of copulation.
Forms the lower part of the birth canal.
Extends upward and backward from the vestibule to the vaginal part of the cervix.
Position: angled upward and backward at about 45 degrees relative to the uterus.
Size: anterior wall ~8 cm; posterior wall ~10 cm
Lumen: lower third is H-shaped, middle third is slit-like, upper third is rounded.
In the adult nulliparous (has never given birth) state, the cervix tilts forward relative to the axis of the vagina (anteversion).

External Female Genitalia

The mons pubis is a fatty, hairy eminence over the pubic symphysis.
Labia majora are longitudinal folds of skin enclosing the pudendal cleft.
The inner surface of the labia majora is smooth with sebaceous glands.
Labia minora are smaller folds between labia majora.
The clitoris is a homologue of the male penis.
It has two corpora cavernosa and a glans, but no corpus spongiosum.
The clitoris is highly sensitive and plays a crucial role in sexual response.
The vestibule is the area enclosed by the labia minora.
The orifices of the vagina, urethra, and ducts of the vestibular (Bartholin's) glands are located within the vestibule.
The hymen is a membrane partially covering the vaginal orifice in virgins.
Common applied anatomy topics include: per vaginal examination, vaginal smear (diagnosing vaginitis and vulvitis), cysts of the vestibular gland, imperforate hymen, dyspareunia, and episiotomy.

Mammary Gland

Modified sweat gland derived from the skin's epithelium.
Rudimentary in males; well-developed in females post-puberty.
Located in the superficial fascia of the anterior chest wall, spanning from the 2nd to 6th ribs along the mid-clavicular line.
Usually extending to the level of the 4th rib horizontally from the margin of the sternum to the mid-axillary line.
Contains 15–20 lobes separated by fibrous connective tissue.
Each lobe drains into a lactiferous duct.
These ducts converge at the nipple's summit, where they form lactiferous sinuses.
The nipple is conical, and the areola is pigmented skin around it with modified sebaceous glands (Montgomery tubercles). These enlarge during pregnancy to lubricate the breast during feeding.
Cooper's ligaments attach the breast to the dermis of the overlying skin.
Applied anatomy concerns include: peau d'orange (a breast appearance indicative of underlying lymphatic edema), advanced breast carcinoma (tumors spreading through surrounding tissue, fixation to chest wall, and nipple retraction), the absence of breast (amastia), extra breasts along the milk line (polymastia), and gynecomastia (benign breast enlargement in males).
Lymphatic drainage of the breast occurs to various axillary, internal, and parasternal nodes.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the female reproductive system with this quiz that covers the ovaries, vagina, clitoris, and associated structures. You'll explore anatomical changes post-puberty, blood supply, venous drainage, and nerve functions. Ideal for students studying anatomy or healthcare professionals.