female reproductive system

• internal organs of the female reproductive system: uterus, ovaries, vagina, cervix and the fallopian tube
• external organs of the female genetalia:

  •The vulva

  •Mons pubis

  •Labia majora

  •Labia minora

  •Clitoris

  •Urethral opening

  •Vaginal opening

  •Perineum
• layers of the uterus: endometrium, myometrium, perimetrium
• vagina is a H shaped musculofibrous tube becuase of the fornixes
• the vagina has 4 fornixes: 2 lateral, anterioir and the posterior one is the bigger (site of blood when hemorragea occurs)
• limits of the vagina: anterior to the rectum and posterior to the urethra and the urinary bladder
• uterus parts: fundus, body, cervix, uterine horns (between the cervix and the the uterine body there's isthmus)
• fallopian tubes: j shaped organs, composed of parts : Fimbrae, Infundibulum, Ampulla (where fertilization occurs), isthmus.
• parts of the cervix: cervical canal, internal os (orifice) and external os (orifice)
• the ligaments that stabilizes the uterus: broad ligament (mesometrium) , round ligaments (2), uterosacral ligaments (2) , cervical transverse ligaments/Mackenrodt ligaments (2)
• ligaments of the ovaries: ovarian ligament proper: connects the ovary to the uterus. suspendory ligament
• blood supply to the fallopian tubes: ovarian art+ uterine artery
• ovarian art is branch of the abdominal aorta
• the uterine and the vaginal arts are branches of the internal ilac arteries
• ovaries are paired organs that are white and coverd by the mesovarium part of the round ligament
• the round ligament is a the peritoneum suspended to the pelvic cavity
• the urogenetal triagle is bounded by the pubic symphysis ischiopubic rami and a theorectical line between two ischial tuberosities.
• Structurally, the urogenital triangle is complex, with a number of fascial layers and pouches. Unlike the anal triangle, the urogenital triangle has an additional layer of strong  deep  fascia;  the  perineal  membrane.  This membrane  has  pouches  on  its superior  and inferior surfaces.
• The main contents of the anal triangle are :

  •Anal aperture the opening of the anus.

  •External anal sphincter muscle voluntary muscle responsible for opening  and closing the anus

  .•Ischioanal fossae (x2) spaces located laterally to the anus.
• The anal triangle  is the  posterior  half  of  the perineum.  It  is  bounded  by  the  coccyx, sacrotuberous ligaments, and a theoretical line between the ischial tuberosities.
• The anatomical borders of the perineum are:

  §Anterior- pubic symphysis.

  §Posterior -tip of the coccyx.

  §Leterally- inferior pubic rami and inferior ischial rami, and the sacrotuberous ligament.

  §Roof- pelvic floor.

  §Base- skin and fascia.
• The anal aperture is located centrally  in  the triangle with the ischioanal fossae either  side. These fossae contain fat and connective tissue, Which expansion of the anal canal during defecation. They extend from thee skin of the anal region (inferiorly) to the   pelvic diaphragm (superiorly).

  
• The vagina is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside of the

  Anatomical Position

  §The vagina is closely related to   many of the organs in the pelvic region:

  §Anterior  bladder and urethra.

  §Posterior  rectouterine pouch, rectum and anal canal.

  §Lateral ureters and levator ani muscle
• The   posterior fornix is  important as it acts like a   natural reservoir for semen after intravaginal ejaculation. The semen retained in the fornix liquefies in the next 20-30 mins allowing for easier permeation through the cervical canal
• Vagina


  • Composed of four histological layers (internal to external)
  • Stratified squamous epithelium layer provides protection and is lubricated by cervical mucus (the vagina itself does not contain any glands)
  • Elastic lamina propria is a dense connective tissue layer which projects papillae into the overlying epithelium, larger veins are located here
  • Fibromuscular layer comprising two layers of smooth muscle; an inner circular and an outer longitudinal layer
  • Adventitia is a fibrous layer, which provides additional strength to the vagina whilst also binding it to surrounding structures
• The arterial supply to the vagina is via the uterine and vaginal arteries  both branches of the internal iliac artery.
• •Venous return is by the vaginal venous plexus, which drains into the internal iliac veins via the uterine vein.
• •Lymphatic drainage of the vagina is divided into three sections:

  Superior — drains to external iliac nodes

  Middle — drains to internal iliac nodes

  Inferior — drains to superficial inguinal lymph nodes.
• •The uterus is a thick walled muscular organ capable of expansion to accommodate a growing fetus. It is connected distally to the vagina, and laterally to the uterine tubes.
• The uterus has three parts;

  •Fundus — top of the uterus, above the entry point of the uterine tubes.

  •Body — usual site for implantation of the blastocyst.

  •Cervix — lower part of uterus linking it with the vagina. This part is structurally and functionally different to the rest of the uterus.
• •The  cervix  is  the lower  portion  of  the uterus, an organ of the female reproductive tract.

  It connects the vagina with the main body of the uterus, acting as a gateway between them.

  •Anatomically and histologically, the cervix is distinct from the uterus, and hence we consider  it  as

  a  separate  anatomical structure.
• §The cervix is composed of two regions; the ectocervix and the endocervical canal.
• §The ectocervix is the portion of the cervix that projects into the vagina. It is lined by stratified squamous non- keratinized epithelium. The opening in the ectocervix, the external os, marks the transition from the ectocervix to the endocervical canal.
• §The endocervical canal (or endocervix) is the more proximal, and 'inner' part of the cervix. It is lined by a mucus-secreting simple columnar epithelium. The endocervical canal ends, and the uterine cavity begins, at a narrowing called the internal os,
• •The blood supply to the uterus is via the uterine artery. Venous drainage is via a plexus in the broad ligament that drains into the uterine veins.
• the uterus can be described as anteverted with respect to the vagina, and anteflexed with respect to the cervix:

  •Anteverted: Rotated forward, towards the anterior surface of the body.

  •Anteflexed: Flexed, towards the anterior surface of the body.

  •Thus, the uterus normally lies immediately posterosuperior to the bladder, and anterior to the rectum.
• The  fundus  and  body  of the uterus  are  composed  of three tissue layers;

  §Peritoneum a  double  layered continuous  with the  abdominal peritoneum. Also known as the perimetrium.

  §Myometrium    thick  smooth  muscle  layer. Cells of   this layer undergo hypertrophy  and  hyperplasia during pregnancy in preparation to expel the fetus at   birth

  Endometrium — inner mucous  membrane  lining the uterus.
• §Endometrium — inner mucous  membrane  lining the uterus. It can be further subdivided into 2 parts:

  •Deep    stratum    basalis:    Changes    little   throughout the menstrual cycle and is not shed   at menstruation.

  •  Superficial stratum functionalis: Proliferates in response to oestrogens, and becomes secretory in response  to progesterone.  It is shed during menstruation and regenerates from cells in the stratum basalis layer.
• •Mons pubis a subcutaneous fat pad located anterior to the pubic symphysis. It formed by the fusion of the labia.
• •Labia majora  two hair-bearing external skin folds

  .—They extend from the mons pubis posteriorly to the posterior commissure (a depression overlying the perineal body).

  —Embryo logically derived from labioscrotal swellings*