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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the cervix in the female internal reproductive organs?
What is the primary function of the cervix in the female internal reproductive organs?
What layer of the uterus is responsible for monthly renewal in response to hormonal cycles?
What layer of the uterus is responsible for monthly renewal in response to hormonal cycles?
Which part of the fallopian tube is the site for fertilization?
Which part of the fallopian tube is the site for fertilization?
What is the role of the round ligament in the female reproductive system?
What is the role of the round ligament in the female reproductive system?
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Which structure is located at the lower junction of the uterus and is significant for cesarean section incisions?
Which structure is located at the lower junction of the uterus and is significant for cesarean section incisions?
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What minimum pelvic inlet diameter is necessary for adequacy to achieve vaginal delivery?
What minimum pelvic inlet diameter is necessary for adequacy to achieve vaginal delivery?
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Which pelvic type is considered the normal female type and best suited for vaginal delivery?
Which pelvic type is considered the normal female type and best suited for vaginal delivery?
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What is the significance of the bi-ischial or intertuberous diameter in the pelvis?
What is the significance of the bi-ischial or intertuberous diameter in the pelvis?
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What may be required if there is outlet dystocia during delivery?
What may be required if there is outlet dystocia during delivery?
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How are the dimensions of an anthropoid pelvis characterized?
How are the dimensions of an anthropoid pelvis characterized?
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What is the primary function of the ovaries?
What is the primary function of the ovaries?
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Which structure is NOT part of the bony pelvis?
Which structure is NOT part of the bony pelvis?
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Which layer of the ovary is responsible for its functioning, containing ovarian follicles?
Which layer of the ovary is responsible for its functioning, containing ovarian follicles?
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What is the pelvic inlet's role during childbirth?
What is the pelvic inlet's role during childbirth?
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Which of the following bones does NOT contribute to the bony structure of the pelvis?
Which of the following bones does NOT contribute to the bony structure of the pelvis?
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What is the primary function of the pelvic floor muscles?
What is the primary function of the pelvic floor muscles?
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What distinguishes the true pelvis from the false pelvis?
What distinguishes the true pelvis from the false pelvis?
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Which hormone is NOT secreted by the ovaries?
Which hormone is NOT secreted by the ovaries?
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What is the primary function of the labia majora?
What is the primary function of the labia majora?
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Which structure is considered the primary erogenous organ in women?
Which structure is considered the primary erogenous organ in women?
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What is the role of the vagina during childbirth?
What is the role of the vagina during childbirth?
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What is the mature size range of the uterus?
What is the mature size range of the uterus?
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Which part of the uterus is referred to as the cervix?
Which part of the uterus is referred to as the cervix?
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What is the purpose of the Skene glands?
What is the purpose of the Skene glands?
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How long is the average length of the vagina?
How long is the average length of the vagina?
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What is the anatomical position of the uterus in relation to the bladder and rectum?
What is the anatomical position of the uterus in relation to the bladder and rectum?
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What is the composition of the vaginal walls?
What is the composition of the vaginal walls?
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What does the perineal body connect in the female reproductive system?
What does the perineal body connect in the female reproductive system?
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Study Notes
Female Reproductive System
- External genitals: Vulva, Mons pubis, Labia majora, Labia minora, Clitoris, Urethral meatus, Vaginal orifice, Vestibule, Perineal body
- Internal genitals: Vagina, Uterus, Fallopian tubes, Ovaries
- Accessory organs: Breasts
- Structure of bony pelvis: Innominate bones, sacrum, coccyx
External Genitals
- Mons pubis: Fatty tissue covering the pubic bone; covered with pubic hair; loaded with nerve endings.
- Labia majora: Either side of the vulvar cleft; primary function is to protect the structures between; Stratified squamous epithelium.
- Labia minora: Within the labia majora, converging near the anus; form the fourchette.
- Clitoris: Located between the labia minora; erectile tissue with a prepuce (clitoral hood); primary erogenous organ for women.
- Urethral meatus: 1-2.5 cm beneath the clitoris; difficult to visualize; Skene glands are on either side of the opening.
- Vaginal vestibule: Area between the labia minora; contains two openings: urethral and vaginal.
- Introitus: Vaginal opening.
- Hymen: Membrane that partially covers the vaginal opening.
- Vulvovaginal (Bartholin) glands: Produce mucus to lubricate the vaginal opening.
- Perineal body: Wedge-shaped mass of fibromuscular tissue between vagina and anus; perineum is the superficial area; site of episiotomy or lacerations during childbirth.
Internal Genitals
- Vagina: Stretchable canal (10 cm long) running from the vestibule to the cervix; muscular, membranous tube; walls are covered with rugae (allows enlargement during delivery); normally acidic during reproductive life.
- Functions: Passageway for sperm and fetus; menstrual blood flow; protection against trauma and infection.
- Uterus: Hollow, thick-walled muscular, pear-shaped organ; centered in the pelvic cavity; leans forward (anteversion); two major parts: corpus and cervix; matures to 6-8 cm long.
- Isthmus: Lower uterine segment; portion between the internal cervical os and endometrial cavity; site for cesarean section incision.
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Uterine corpus: Upper triangular portion; has 3 layers:
- Serosal layer (perimetrium)
- Muscular layer (myometrium)
- Mucosal layer (endometrium): ciliated epithelium, changes thickness during the cycle; monthly renewal from menarche to menopause (in absence of pregnancy).
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Uterine cervix:
- Internal os: Opens to uterus
- External os: Opens to vagina
- Functions: Lubricates vagina, acts as a bacteriostatic agent, provides an alkaline environment.
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Uterine ligaments: Supports the uterus; includes:
- Broad: folds of peritoneum draped over the fallopian tubes.
- Round: maintains the anteverted position of the uterus.
- Ovarian: Supports ovaries.
- Cardinal: Supports the cervix to the lateral wall.
- Infundibulopelvic: Supports the ovaries.
- Uterosacral: Supports the cervix to the sacrum.
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Fallopian tubes: Two tubes each with three parts:
- Isthmus: Narrow part (2.5 cm) from the uterus.
- Ampulla: Dilated portion (5 cm).
- Fimbria: Funnel-shaped end with fimbriae (finger-like projections) at the end.
- Functions: Transport the ovum to the uterus; site of fertilization; nourishing environment for the ovum/zygote.
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Ovaries: Female sex glands, oval (almond-shaped), 3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, 1 cm thick; attached to the back of broad ligaments; three layers:
- Tunica albuginea: Surface of the ovary
- Cortex: Functioning part; contains ovarian follicles
- Medulla: Supporting part
- Functions of the ovaries: Store and develop follicles; secrete hormones (estrogen, progesterone).
Bony Pelvis
- Function: Supports and protects pelvic contents; forms the axis of the birth passage.
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Bony structure: Four bones:
- Innominate (two side bones)
- Sacrum
- Coccyx
- Resembles a bowl; four bones:
- Innominate (hip bones):
- Ilium
- Ischium: Ischial spines are the strongest bone.
- Pubis: Symphysis pubis; all three bones join to form a depression called the acetabulum.
- Sacrum: Sacral promontory
- Coccyx
- Innominate (hip bones):
- Pelvic floor: Soft tissue filling the pelvic outlet.
- Functions: Overcomes the force of gravity; supports pelvic organs; dilatation during birth; helps return the body to pre-pregnancy conditions.
- Pelvic diaphragm: Deep fascia, levator ani, and coccygeal muscles.
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Pelvic division:
- False pelvis: Located above the pelvic brim; supports the enlarged uterus and directs the fetal part into the true pelvis; not important in obstetrics.
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True pelvis: Located below the pelvic brim.
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Pelvic inlet:
- Diagonal conjugate: Extends from the subpubic angle to the middle of the sacral promontory (typically 12.5 cm); can be measured manually.
- Obstetric conjugate: Shortest APD between sacral promontory and symphysis pubis through which the head should pass. V. important, cannot be measured; widest is 11 cm.
- Conjugate vera: From the middle of sacral promontory to the pubic crest.
- Transverse diameter.
- Pelvic cavity
- Pelvic outlet: Determined by assessing pelvic diameter; outlet dystocia may require forceps or cesarean birth.
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Pelvic inlet:
Pelvic Types
- Gynecoid: Normal female type; slightly rounded to transverse oval inlet; wide sacrum with average concavity and inclination; straight side walls; blunt ischial spines; 90-100 degree subpubic angle; shape provides the best chances for normal vaginal delivery.
- Android: Resembles a male pelvis; heart-shaped inlet; narrow pelvic cavity; prominent ischial spines; small subpubic angle. Difficult for vaginal delivery.
- Anthropoid: Long oval shape; long anteroposterior diameters, short transverse diameters; long and narrow sacrum; narrow subpubic angle; increased likelihood of vaginal delivery as head can pass through the inlet.
- Platypelloid: Flat, wide shape; short anteroposterior diameters; wide transverse diameters; narrow subpubic angle; very difficult for vaginal delivery.
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Description
This quiz explores the anatomy of the female reproductive system, focusing on external and internal genitals, accessory organs, and the structure of the bony pelvis. Test your knowledge on the functions and locations of various components, including the vulva, clitoris, and ovaries. Perfect for students studying human anatomy or health sciences.
