This document provides an anatomical overview of the female genital system including the ovary, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina. It describes the location, shape, dimensions, parts, ligaments, blood supply, lymphatic and nerve supply of each structure in detail over several pages. The key structures and their relationships are delineated with labels and diagrams to aid understanding of clinical pelvic anatomy.
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Dr.gamal presentation
1. Dr. Gamal Said 1
Anatomy of the
Female Genital System
Clinical Pelvic Anatomy
in Cadavers
Dr. Gamal Said
Workshop
2. Dr. Gamal Said 2
Viscera of ♀
genital system
Ovary
Fallopian
tubes
Uterus
Vagina
3. Dr. Gamal Said 3
The ovary
It is the primary sex organ. It is grayish pink in color with
smooth surface before puberty, but as age advances it
becomes whitish and rough surfaced.
! Site: lies on the side wall of the pelvis within the
“ovarian fossa” which is bounded by:
– Anteriorly: obliterated umbilical artery.
– Posteriorly: internal iliac vessels & ureter.
! Dimensions:
– Length è 3 cm
– Breadth è 2 cm
– Thickness è 1 cm
! Shape: it is almond-shaped having
– 2 ends
– 2 borders
– 2 surfaces
N.B.
The ovary is attached
to superior surface
of the broad ligament
in close relation to
the lateral end of the
Fallopian tube.
6. Dr. Gamal Said 6
! 2 ends:
– Upper (tubal) end: is directed up & laterally & attached to:
! Ovarian fimbria of the Falopian tube.
! Suspensory (infundibulo-pelvic) ligament of the ovary, which is a
peritoneal fold that forms the upper lateral part of the broad ligament.
It transmits the ovarian vessels & nerves from the side wall of the
pelvis to the broad ligament.
– Lower (uterine) end: is directed down & medially. It is
attached to the upper lateral angle of the uterus by the
ligament of the ovary.
! 2 surfaces:
– Lateral surface: related to the parietal peritoneum of the
lateral pelvic wall & obturator nerve and vessels (in the floor
of the fossa).
– Medial surface: related to fimbriated end of Fallopian tube.
! 2 borders:
– Posterior border: free.
– Anterior border: attached to the upper lateral part of broad
ligament by mesovarium (which transmits the ovarian nerves
& vessels to the hilum of the ovary).
7. Dr. Gamal Said 7
! Peritoneal covering:
– It is completely covered by peritoneum which adheres to the
ovary forming its covering epithelium.
– Therefore, the peritoneal covering is perforated by the ovum
during ovulation.
8. Dr. Gamal Said 8
Ligaments of the ovary: è 3 ligaments
! Suspensory ligament of the ovary:
– It extends laterally from the tubal end of the ovary to the side
wall of the pelvis at the external iliac vessels.
– It is a peritoneal fold which transmits the ovarian vessels,
nerves & lymphatics to the broad ligament.
! Mesovarium:
– It is peritoneal fold that extends from the upper layer of
broad ligament to the anterior border of the ovary.
– It transmits the ovarian vessels & nerves to the ovary.
! Ligament of the ovary:
– It is a fibromuscular cord that extends from the uterine end of
the ovary to the lateral angle of the uterus.
9. Dr. Gamal Said 9
Arterial
supply
Ø By the ovarian artery è descends on psoas
major, ureter, external iliac vessels to enter the
suspensory ligament of the ovary è then to the
mesovarium è then to the ovary.
! It also supplies the lateral part of the Fallopian
tube where it anastomoses with the uterine artery.
Venous
drainage
! Rt. ovarian vein: drains into IVC.
! Lt. ovarian vein: drains into left renal vein.
lymph
drainage
To para-aortic L.Ns.
Nerve
supply
Ø Parasympathetic: From pelvic splanchnic nerves
(S 2, 3, 4).
Ø Sympathetic: from T 10, 11.
10. Dr. Gamal Said 10
The uterine (Fallopian) tube
! Site: in the medial 4/5 of the upper free border of the broad
ligament, extending from the superior angle of the uterus to the
ovary on the side wall of the pelvis.
! Length: 10 cm.
Posterior view
11. Dr. Gamal Said 11
! Parts: (from medial to lateral)
– Intramural (uterine) part:
! It is the shortest (1 cm) and narrowest part.
! It passes through the wall of the superoateral angle of the uterus
to open into the uterine cavity.
– Isthmus:
! It is 2 cm in length, rounded, narrow and thick-walled.
– Ampulla:
! It is the longest (5 cm), thin-walled, tortuous and widest part.
! It is the site of fertilization.
– Infundibulum (fimbriated end):
! It is 2 cm in length and funnel-shaped.
! It pierces the broad ligament to open into the peritoneal cavity
near the ovary.
! Its margins carry fimbria which spread over the medial surface
of the ovary.
! The largest fimbria is called the ovarian fimbria which is
attached to the upper end of the ovary.
12. Dr. Gamal Said 12
! Course and relations
– Each tube runs upwards laterally & backwards from the uterus to
the side wall of the pelvis.
– Then, it curves backwards piercing the upper layer of the broad
ligament to end on the medial surface of the ovary by the
infundibulum.
– Along its whole course, it is related to coils of ileum & sigmoid
colon.
! Blood supply:
– Medial 2/3: by the uterine artery.
– Lateral 1/3 : by the ovarian artery.
! Venous drainage:
– By veins accompanying the arteries into the uterine and ovarian
veins.
! Lymph drainage:
– Most of the tubal lymphatics pass to the paraaortic L.Ns.
– Lymphatics of the isthmus pass to the superficial inguinal L.Ns.
13. Dr. Gamal Said 13
The uterus
! Shape: pear-shaped hollow thick-walled muscular organ.
! Site: between the rectum & U.B.
! Dimensions:
– Length: 3 inches (cervix = 1 inch & body and fundus = 2
inches)
– Width: 2 inches
– Thickness: 1 inch
! Parts:
– Fundus
! It is dome-shaped part that lies above the level of the opening of
the Fallopian tubes.
! It is completely covered by peritoneum.
! It is related to coils of small intestine & sigmoid colon.
15. Dr. Gamal Said 15
! Body: is the part extending from level of opening of the
Fallopian tubes to the constriction called “ isthmus”. It has:
– Anterior (vesical) surface:
! It is related to the upper surface of U.B.
! It is covered by peritoneum, which is reflected at the isthmus on
the upper surface of U.B. forming the utero-vesical pouch.
– Posterior (intestinal) surface:
! It is related to coils of small intestine & sigmoid colon.
! It is covered by peritoneum, which extends to the back of the
cervix & upper part of the vagina; then reflected backwards
forming the rectovaginal pouch.
– Lateral margin:
! It gives attachment to the broad ligament.
! The uterine artery ascends along it.
! It is penetrated above by the Fallopian tube.
! Its upper part gives attachment to:
– Round ligament of uterus in front of the fallopian tube.
– Ligament of ovary behind the Fallopian tube.
16. Dr. Gamal Said 16
! Isthmus:
! Slight constriction between the body and the cervix.
! Opposite its anterior aspect, the peritoneum is reflected to
the U.B. to form the utero-vesical pouch.
! It is covered by peritoneum from the back.
! Cervix: it has supra-vaginal & vaginal parts
– Supra-vaginal part:
! Anteriorly: it is not covered by peritoneum and related to
the U.B.
! Posteriorly: it is covered by peritoneum of Douglas pouch
which separates it from the rectum.
! Laterally: it gives attachment to the broad ligament and is
related to the ureter and uterine vessels just below the
root of the broad ligament.
– Vaginal part: is surrounded by the vaginal fornices.
19. Dr. Gamal Said 19
Supporting factors of uterus
! Position:
– Normally, the uterus is anteverted anteflexed
! anteverted: the whole uterus makes a right angle with the
longitudinal axis of the vagina.
! anteflexed: the longitudinal axis of the body makes an angle = 170
with the longitudinal axis of cervix.
20. Dr. Gamal Said 20
N.B.:
Abnormal position of uterus = retroverted , retroflexed uterus
21. Dr. Gamal Said 21
! Muscles:
– Pelvic diaphragm è supports the pelvic organs by resisting
their downward push during increased intra-abdominal
pressure.
– Urogenital diaphragm è the muscles of the deep perineal
pouch.
– Perineal body è is a fibromuscular body between the
vagina & anal canal; receiving the insertions of all perineal
muscles. Thus, maintains the integrity of the pelvic floor.
22. Dr. Gamal Said 22
! Ligaments of uterus:
Round ligament
of uterus
Ligament of ovary
Broad ligament
Pubocervical
ligament
Uterosacral
ligament
Transverse
cervical ligament
3 ligaments of body
3 ligaments of cervix
23. Dr. Gamal Said 23
Ligaments of the body of uterus:
1. Round ligament of uterus:
– It is attached to the upper part of lateral margin of body of
uterus (in front of uterine tube).
– It passes down and laterally between the 2 layers of the
broad ligament to reach the side wall of the pelvis where it
crosses over:
! Obturator nerve & vessels.
! Obliterated umbilical artery. Same as vas deferens in male
! External iliac artery & vein.
– It enters through the inguinal canal where it emerges from
the superficial inguinal ring to attach to labia majora.
2. Ligament of ovary:
– It is attached between the upper part of lateral margin of
body of uterus (behind uterine tube) and uterine end of the
ovary.
“Both these 2 ligaments represents the remnant of the gubernaculum”
25. Dr. Gamal Said 25
3. Broad ligament:
– It is a double-layered fold of peritoneum which extends
from the side of the uterus to the side wall of pelvis.
– It has:
! 2 layers:
– upper (posterior) layer:
! is related to the coils of small intestine
! is connected to the ovary by mesovarium
! is pierced by the lateral end of Fallopian tube
– lower (anterior layer)
– 4 borders:
– upper free border:
! its medial 4/5 surrounds Fallopian tube
! its lateral 1/5 forms the suspensory ligament of the ovary
– lower border: rests on the pelvic floor
– medial border: attached to the side of the uterus
– lateral border: attached to the side wall of the pelvis
27. Dr. Gamal Said 27
! Parts of the broad ligament:
– Mesosalpinx: the part between Fallopian tube &
mesovarium & and round ligament of ovary.
– Suspensory ligament of ovary: the part lateral to the ovary.
– Mesometrium: the remaining medial lower part on the side
of the uterus.
! Contents of the broad ligament:
– 2 tubes:
! Fallopian tube: in the medial 4/5 of the upper free border.
! Ureter: in the root of broad ligament, 2 cm lateral to the cervix.
– 2 ligaments: round ligament of ovary & round lig. of uterus.
– 2 arteries:
! Uterine A. (in the root then along the medial border then along the
upper border).
! Ovarian A. (in the suspensory ligament of ovary).
– 2 sympathetic nerve plexus: uterovaginal & ovarian nerve plexus.
– 2 embryological remnants: epioophoron & paraoophoron.
– Connective tissue (parametrium) & lymphatics & L.Ns.
30. Dr. Gamal Said 30
Ligaments of the cervix:
1. Transverse cervical (Mackenrodt’s ) ligament:
! It is the main supporting factor of the uterus.
! It a fan-shaped ligament, which is formed of condensed
extraperitoneal tissue between the side wall of the
pelvis and side of cervix & vagina.
2. Pubo-cervical ligament:
l It is a condensation of extraperitoneal tissue, which
extends from the front of cervix & upper part of vagina
to the back of the pubis, around the sides of the urethra.
3. Utero-sacral ligament:
l It is a condensation of extraperitoneal tissue, which
extends from the back of the cervix to the front of 2nd &
3rd pieces of sacrum, around the sides of the rectum.
32. Dr. Gamal Said 32
! Uterine cavity:
– The cavity of the body appears triangular
(the upper angles are the openings of the
uterine tubes & the lower angle is the
opening of the internal os.
– The cervix contains fusiform cervical canal:
! Its upper end is called internal os.
! Its lower end is called external os.
The external os is
rounded in nulliparous,
slit-like in multiparous.
34. Dr. Gamal Said 34
Arterial
supply
by the uterine artery:
! It is a branch of the anterior division of internal iliac artery.
! It passes medially on the floor of the pelvis in the root of the broad
ligament crossing the ureter, about 2 cm lateral to the cervix.
! It ascends along the side of the uterus in a tortuous course
between the 2 layers of the broad ligament.
! It turns laterally below the Fallopian tube to end by anastomosis
with ovarian artery.
! It supplies: uterus + medial ¾ of Fallopian tube + vagina.
Venous
drainage
! The veins draining uterus form 2 venous plexuses along its lateral
borders.
! Each venous plexus is drained by a pair of uterine veins which
ends into internal iliac vein.
Lymphatic
drainage
q Fundus + upper part of the body + uterine tube è para-aortic L.Ns
q Lower part of the body è external iliac L.Ns.
q Cornu of the uterus è its lymphatics pass along the round
ligament of uterus into the superficial inguinal L.Ns.
q Cervix è internal iliac & external iliac & sacral L.Ns.
Nerve
supply
q Sympathetic è from T12 & L1 (produce uterine contraction &
vasoconstriction).
q Parasympathetic è from S2, 3, 4. (produce uterine relaxation &
vasodilatation).
37. Dr. Gamal Said 37
The vagina
! It is fibro-muscular tube between the cervix and vestibule (the
cleft between the 2 labia minora).
! It is directed up & backwards forming a right angle with the
uterus.
38. Dr. Gamal Said 38
! Relations:
– Anterior wall: (7 cm)
! Not covered by peritoneum
! Its upper 1/3 è is pierced by the cervix.
! Its middle 1/3 è is related to the base of U.B.
! Its lower 1/3 è is intimately related to the urethra.
– Posterior wall: (9 cm)
! Its upper1/4 is covered by peritoneum which is reflected
to the rectum to form the recto-vaginal (Douglas pouch)
which contains coils of ileum
! Its middle 2/4 related to rectum.
! Its lower 1/4 is related to perineal body and anal canal.
41. Dr. Gamal Said 41
– Lateral relations (from above downwards):
! Upper part è uterine artery & ureter.
! Middle part è levator ani (sphincter vaginae).
! Lower part è greater vestibular gland (in the perineum).
42. Dr. Gamal Said 42
! Fornices of vagina:
– These are 4 pouches formed by the upper part of vagina
around the vaginal part of cervix
– (2 lateral, 1 anterior & 1 posterior)
– The posterior fornix is the deepest one & the only one
covered by peritoneum
43. Dr. Gamal Said 43
Arterial
supply
It is supplied by:
– Uterine artery.
– Vaginal artery.
– Middle rectal artery.
– Internal pudendal artery.
These arteries Anastomose in front & behind the
vagina to form anterior & posterior “azygos arteries”.
Venous
drainage
The vaginal veins form plexuses that drains into
internal iliac vein.
Lymphatic
drainage
! Upper 1/3 è external iliac L.Ns.
! Middle 1/3 è internal iliac L.Ns.
! Lower 1/3 è superficial inguinal L.Ns.
Nerve
supply
! Upper 2/3 (pain insensitive) è by autonomic fibers
– Sympathetic: L1, 2
– Parasympathetic: S 2, 3
44. Dr. Gamal Said 44
Arterial supply
Venous drainage
Lymphatic drainage