Female reproductive sysytem-3

Ligaments of the Uterus

The uterus' normal anteversion and anteflexion positions are maintained by uterine ligaments. Direct childbirth-related causes of ligament damage include prolonged labor, chronic constipation and straining, improper lifting technique, poor posture, and obesity. The following is a description of the major uterine ligaments:

• The Broad Ligaments
  • The two folds of peritoneum that join the uterus to either side of the pelvic cavity form the paired broad ligaments. From the uterus' lateral border to the side wall of the pelvis, they hang down like a curtain.
• The Round Ligaments
  • They are bands of connective tissue that is fibrous. They emerge from the uterus' cornue in front of and below each uterine tube's insertion, travel through the inguinal canal between the folds of the broad ligament, and finally fuse with the labia majora. Although the uterus is kept in an anteverted position by these ligaments, they are not particularly useful as supports.
• The Uterosacral Ligaments
  • The paired uterosacral ligaments, which lie on either side of the rectum and connect the uterus to the sacrum, maintain the uterus' anteversion position. They are also an extension of the peritoneum.
•  The Transverse Cervical Ligaments
  • These ligaments run from the pelvic wall to the cervix and vagina, and they are situated inferior to the base of the broad ligaments. They are also referred to as Mackenrodt's ligament or the cardinal ligaments.
• The Pubocervical Ligaments
  • These attach to the backside of the pubic bones and extend forward from the transverse cervical ligaments on either side of the bladder.

Functions of the Uterus

• It takes part in the menstrual cycle during the reproductive season.
• It offers a setting ideal for the fertilized ovum's implantation and nurtures the growing fetus.
• It can extend and enlarge to make room for the placenta and fetus as they develop.
• During labor, it can contract, retract, and evacuate the fetus, placenta, and membranes. It can also keep the body in a state of homeostasis after delivery.
• It has the capacity to invert back to a state that is nearly pre-pregnant.

Blood Supply of the Uterus

• The ovarian artery, a direct branch of the abdominal aorta, and the uterine artery, a branch of the hypogastric artery, both supply blood to the uterus. The internal iliac vein receives venous blood from the uterine, ovarian, and vaginal veins. The internal illiac lymph node and additional pelvic lymph nodes receive lymph drainage from the uterine body.

Nerve Supply of the Uterus

• Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves carry the nerve that supplies the uterus.

Uterine Tubes (Fallopian Tubes)

The uterine tubes, also referred to as the oviducts, are tubular fibromuscular structures that protrude from the side of the uterus, between the body and the fundus. The uterine tubes, which are 1 cm in diameter and around 10 cm long, are located between the folds of the wide ligament.

The uterine tube's main purpose is to act as a conduit for sperm to travel to an ovum and to carry secondary oocytes and fertilized eggs to the uterus. The tubes' lumens open into the free peritoneal cavity around the ovaries and interact with the uterine cavity medially. The uterine tubes extend laterally from the uterus' cornu in the direction of the pelvic side wall. The fringed ends linger close to the ovaries to catch the ovum when they arch over the ovaries. Important Components of Uterine Tubes

Four parts make up uterine tubes:

• Interstitial (Intramural)
  • It is embedded into the uterine wall and measures around 1.25 cm long and 1 mm wide. It communicates with the uterine cavity via penetrating the myometrium in the cornual area. It is the fallopian tube's narrowest section.
• The Isthmus
  • It is the slender portion, 2.5 mm in diameter, that extends 2.5 cm from the uterus.
• The Ampulla
  • This is the larger area where fertilization takes place. Its lumen measures about 5 cm long and 6 cm wide.
• The Infundibulum
  • Each tube's infundibulum, which resembles a funnel and is open to the pelvic cavity but close to the ovary. It ends with fimbriae, which are finger-like projections; one of them is linked to the lateral end of the ovary and is known as the ovarian fimbria.

Structures of the Fallopian Tube

The fallopian tube has three layers in total.

• Serous Layer
  • The peritoneum, which consists of wide ligaments, and the outer layer, serosa, are one unit.
• Muscular Layer
  • ​​​​​​​Inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle make up the middle layer of the body. These muscles' actions cause the uterine tube to move peristaltically.
• Mucous Membrane
  • It is bordered by somewhat ciliated columnar epithelium that is folded longitudinally (complicated folds). The ovum is slowed down by these folds as it travels to the uterus. In this lining, there are goblet cells that release a secretion containing glycogen to support the ovum.

 Organs Associated with the Fallopian Tube

• Anterior, Posterior and Superior
  • The peritoneal cavity and the intestine are located in front of, behind, and above the uterine tubes.
• Laterally
  • The side wall of the pelvis is located on each side of the uterine tubes.
• Inferior
  • Under the uterine tubes are the wide ligaments and the ovaries.
• Medial
  • Between the two uterine tubes is where the uterus is located.

Blood Supply of the Uterine Tubes

• The uterine and ovarian arteries' branches, which are found in the mesosalpinx, provide the uterine tubes with arterial blood flow. The veins drain into the uterine veins and the pampiniform plexus of the ovary as they run parallel to the arteries. The lateral aortic nodes and iliac superficial inguinal lymph nodes are used for uterine tube lymphatic drainage.

Nerve Supply of the Uterine Tubes

• Both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers provide the uterine tubes with nerve supply. The lumbar segment and thoracic segments both have sensory fibers.

Functions of the Uterine Tubes

• Through its muscular and cilliary activity, the uterine tube moves the ovum from the ovary towards the uterine cavity.
• It takes in the spermatozoa as they ascend.
• It offers a location for fertilizing.
• The fertilized ovum receives nutrients from it as it travels to the uterus.
• It moves the ovum into the uterine cavity after fertilization.

Ovaries

The female gonads, or paired ovaries, are responsible for the maturation, storage, release, and manufacture of sex hormones in germ cells. The oval form and pinkish gray color of each gland. Prior to the commencement of regular ovulation, the surface of the ovaries is smooth; nevertheless, once reproductive activity begins, this smooth surface becomes scarred. It is around 2.5 to 3.5 cm long, 2 cm wide, and 1 cm thick. They are discovered lying in the ovarian fossa adjacent to the lateral pelvic wall, lateral to the tubal fimbriae, and just behind the broad ligament.

Within the peritoneal cavity, the ovaries are joined to the back of the wide ligaments. The utero-ovarian ligament connects the medial pole of the ovary to the uterine cornua. The infundibulo-pelvic ligament connects the lateral pole to the lateral pelvic wall, while the mesovarium connects the ovaries to the broad ligament.

Associated Organs with the Ovaries

• Anterior
  • The ovaries are surrounded by wide ligaments.
• Posterior
  • ​​​​​​​The intestine is located behind the ovaries.
• Laterial
  • The infundibulopelvic ligaments and the lateral wall of the pelvis are located on either side of the ovaries.
• Superior
  • The uterine tubes are located above the ovaries.
• Medial
  • ​​​​​​​The uterus and ovarian ligaments are located between the ovaries.

The ovary has two layers of tissue, the cortex and the medulla.

• The Medulla
  • This is located in the center and is made up of nerves, blood vessels, and fibrous tissue. The ovarian blood vessels and lymphatics enter at the hilum, which is a supporting structure made of fibrous tissue, right where the ovary is attached to the broad ligament. Mesovarium is the name of the region.
• The Cortex
  • It encircles the medulla. It has germinal epithelium covering a connective tissue structure known as stroma. It has ovarian follicles, each of which has an ovum, in various stages of maturity. This is the ovary's active portion. The tunica albuginea, a fibrous tissue, makes up the outer layer. Ovaries play a role in ovulation and the production of sex hormones during the reproductive cycle. The corpus luteum, primordial follicles, maturing follicles, and graafian follicles are the ovarian cortex's structures.