Question

Anatomy Notes: Pelvic Structures

Answer 1

\({\bf{Female~Pelvis :}}\)
> pelvic cavity covered by peritoneum --> in women becomes the broad ligament and covers uterus (and its tubes) ovaries, bladder, rectum
> three peritoneal pouches: rectouterine pouch, vesicouterine pouch, paravesical pouch
> pelvis spaces: retrorectal, retropubic (same as male)

> uterus: three-layered organ
- endometrium: glandular (inner)
- myometrium: muscle (middle)
- perimetrium: serosa, equivalent to peritoneum (outer)

> uterine tubule components:
- fimbriae: projections on the surface of each ovary
- infundibulum: ciliated, funnel-shaped structure between ovary and tube
- ampulla: muscular middle region
- isthmus: anchors tubule to uterine wall

> ligaments:
- suspsensory ligament: stabilizes the position of the whole uterus
- ovarian ligament: stabilizes ovary by connecting ovary to uterus
- round ligament: connects uterus to external genitalia
- broad ligament: further subdivided into the mesosalpinx (uterine tube) mesovarium (ovary) and mesometrium (the rest of the broad ligament)

Answer 2

Other structures:
> anterior labial commissures: site where labia majora meet; mons pubis
> posterior labial commissure: site where labia minora meet
> prepuce: skin hood above Pearoris
> frenulum: fusion of labia minora
> vestibule: region formed by labia minora, contains:
- urethral orifice
- vagina orifice
- greater vestibular orifice
- paraurethral gland orifice
> fornix: superior region of vaginal canal

Answer 3

\({\bf{Male~Pelvis :}}\)
> like the female pelvis, peritoneum covers the pelvic region, but no broad ligament
> two peritoneal pouches: rectovesical and paravesical
> two pelvic spaces, same as female pelvis: retrorectal, retropubic

Other structures:
> vas deferens
> seminal vesicles
> bulbourethral glands (cowper's glands)
^ above three involved in producing/transporting seminal fluid
> prostate gland: three sub-structures: prostatic sinus, ejaculatory duct, prostatic ducts