Female Reproductive System Anatomy

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the vagina in the female reproductive system?

Storage of ova

Organ of copulation, birth canal, and outlet for menstrual fluid (correct)

Hormone production

Sperm transport to the ovaries

Which layer of the uterus is primarily responsible for contractions during childbirth?

Myometrium (correct)

Endometrium

Cervical canal

Perimetrium

What characterizes the position of the cervix in relation to the uterus?

It is fixed and does not change during the menstrual cycle.

It is anteflexed and anteverted. (correct)

It remains in a horizontal alignment.

It is always retroverted and retroflexed.

What is the structure responsible for the connection between the uterine cavity and the vagina?

Cervical canal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following relationships regarding the uterus is true?

The fundus is a portion above the entry of the uterine tubes. Signup and view all the answers

What type of sensory innervation is provided to the lower third of the vagina?

Somatic sensory by the pudendal nerve Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical feature is found at the end of the cervical canal?

Cervical os (ostium) Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is NOT included in the relationships surrounding the cervix?

Ovarian ligament Signup and view all the answers

What comprises the broad ligament in the female reproductive system?

A double-walled sheet of peritoneum Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the uterine tubes?

To transport ova and sperm Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament is a homologue of the gubernaculum in females?

Round ligament Signup and view all the answers

Where does fertilization typically take place in the uterine tube?

Ampulla Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament contains part of the uterine vessels and ureter?

Uterosacral ligament Signup and view all the answers

What structure does the mesosalpinx surround?

Uterine tube Signup and view all the answers

What defines the infundibulum of the uterine tube?

Its funnel shape and fimbriae Signup and view all the answers

How does the uterine artery reach the cervix?

By traveling in the broad ligament Signup and view all the answers

What is the main relationship of the upper pole of the ovary?

It attaches to the suspensory ligament of the ovary. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cardinal (transverse cervical) ligament?

To support the uterus and contain vessels Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the ovarian artery?

To supply blood to the ovary and uterine tubes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Female Reproductive System Gross Anatomy

Vagina: A distensible, musculomembranous tube with mucosal folds (rugae). Surrounds the cervix as the vaginal fornix (anterior, posterior, and lateral). Relates to bladder/urethra anteriorly, rectum posteriorly, and other structures laterally. Sensory innervation is somatic, primarily from the pudendal nerve.
Uterus: Site of blastocyst implantation and fetal development. Consists of perimetrium (outer serous coat), myometrium (muscular layer), and endometrium (inner mucous lining, shed and regenerated during menses). The body is the upper portion, the fundus the portion above the uterine tube opening, and the isthmus the transition zone between the body and cervix. The cervix is the lower 1/3, extending into the vagina and containing the cervical canal, and opening (os). It's anteflexed (bent anteriorly) and anteverted (inclined anteriorly). Its relationship includes the bladder, rectum/rectouterine pouch/fold, ureters, and broad ligaments. The cervix's innervation comes from the autonomic nervous system via the pelvic plexus, and sensory afferents from T10-L2 (referred pain).
Cervix: Lower 1/3 of the uterus that extends into the vagina. The cervical canal connects the uterine cavity to the vagina, often plugged with mucus. The os (ostium) is the opening of the cervical canal.
Broad Ligament: A double-walled peritoneal sheet enclosing the uterus, uterine tubes, ovarian and round ligaments, and part of the uterine vessels, ureter, and ovary.
Mesosalpinx: Part of the broad ligament that surrounds and suspends the uterine tubes.
Mesovarium: Part of the broad ligament that suspends the ovary.
Round Ligament: Attaches near the uterine cornua (horns), travels through the broad ligament entering the inguinal canal, and terminates in the labia majora. Homologous to the gubernaculum.
Ligament of the Ovary: Attaches to the inferior pole of the ovary, travels through the mesovarium, and is homologous to the gubernaculum.
Suspensory Ligament of the Ovary: Attaches to the superior pole of the ovary, containing the ovarian vessels and nerves, reflecting peritoneum from the abdomen.
Uterosacral Ligament: Fascial thickening under the rectouterine fold. Includes parts of uterine vessels and ureter.
Transverse Cervical (Cardinal) Ligament: Fascial thickening at the base of the broad ligament, containing uterine vessels and ureter.

Uterine Tubes (Fallopian Tubes)

Structure: Muscular tubes extending laterally from the uterus to the ovaries, opening medially to the uterine cavity and laterally to the peritoneal cavity. The distal end is the infundibulum, a funnel-like structure with fimbriae surrounding the ovary, drawing ova into the ostium. The ampulla is the widest and longest portion where fertilization commonly occurs, and the isthmus is the narrow, thick-walled portion connecting to the uterine cornua (horns).
Arterial Supply: Uterine artery (tortuous route along the lateral aspect of the uterus and anastomoses with ovarian artery). Ovarian artery (traveling in the suspensory ligament and mesovarium, anastomoses with the uterine artery). Vaginal artery (may branch from internal iliac, uterine, or common trunk with uterine artery, supplying the middle and lower vagina).
Venous Drainage: Uterovaginal plexus (drains the uterus, vagina, and proximal parts of the uterine tubes), connects with the superior rectal vein. Ovarian vein (drains the ovary and distal parts of the uterine tubes). Internal pudendal vein (drains the lower portion of the vagina).
Lymphatics: Most of the vagina and uterus drains through internal, external or common iliac nodes to aortic nodes. Ovaries, fundus of uterus, and fallopian tubes drain along ovarian vessels to aortic nodes; lower end of the vagina drains to superficial inguinal nodes.

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Description

Explore the gross anatomy of the female reproductive system, including detailed insights into the vagina, uterus, and cervix. This quiz covers the structural relationships and innervation of key reproductive organs, providing a comprehensive overview of their functions and locations in the body.