Advanced Health Assessment of Women Clinical Skills and Procedures 4th Edition Carcio and Secor Test Questions and Textbook

A. In females, the urinary and reproductive systems are completely 
separate, unlike in males.
B. The internal female reproductive organs are located in the lower 
pelvis and are safely tucked inside the bony pelvis, behind the 
pubic bone.
C. External genitalia collectively include the mons pubis, the labia 
majora, the labia minora, the vestibule, the clitoris, and the vaginal orifice 
(Figure 1.1).
D. The structures of the peritoneum are listed and compared in Table 1.1.
II. Ovaries
A. Description
1. Each ovary lies in a depression in the lateral pelvic wall, on either 
side of the uterus.
2. Ovaries are small and almond shaped.
3. They vary considerably in size among women, but usually 
measure between 3 and 5 cm long, 1.5 and 3 cm wide, and 1 and 
1.5 cm thick—about the size of a thumbnail.
4. They are pinkish white to gray.
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4 I: FEMALE REPRODUCTION
5. They are not directly attached to the uterus and fallopian tubes. 
The ovaries lie suspended in a strong, flexible structure called the 
round ligament, which anchors them to the uterus.
6. The uterine tubes, which consist of the oviducts and the fallopian 
tubes, are not directly connected to the ovaries. They open into the 
peritoneal cavity, which is near the ovaries
B. Function
1. The ovaries house the female sex gametes.
2. The ovaries are counterparts to the testes in the male, in that they 
secrete sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
3. The ovaries produce an ovum (egg) during ovulation in response 
to hormonal stimulation.
III.Fallopian tubes
A. Description
1. The fallopian tubes extend outward from both sides of the 
uterus and act as a connecting tunnel between the ovary and the 
uterus.
Frenulum of clitoris
Labia minora
Skene duct
Vestibule
Hymen
Posterior commissure
Anus
Fossa navicularis
Vaginal orice
Urethral orice
Labia majora
Prepuce of clitoris
Anterior commissure
Mons veneris
FIGURE 1.1 External female genitalia.
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 1: URINARY AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS 5
2. They are approximately 13 cm (5 in.), rubbery, and less than half 
the diameter of a pencil (0.05–1.0 cm).
3. They have two layers—inner and outer serous layers—that 
surround the layers of involuntary muscle.
4. The fallopian tubes are narrow and muscular (acting as oviducts) 
and lined with cilia.
5. They consist of four sections:
a. Interstitial section, which lies within the uterine wall
b. Isthmus
(1) The isthmus is the narrowest section closest to the uterus.
(2) It opens into the cavity of the uterus.
(3) It has a thick muscular wall.
c. Ampulla
(1) The ampulla is the longest section, about two thirds of the 
tube’s total length.
(2) It widens progressively to the wide distal opening in the 
infundibulum.
(3) It is thin walled.
(4) It is the site of fertilization.
TABLE 1.1 Structure, Functions, and Purposes of the Organs of Female Reproduction
STRUCTURE FUNCTION PURPOSE
External 
genitalia
Sensitive to touch and external 
stimulation
Sexual arousal and sensation of orgasm
Vagina Passage for intercourse
Provides space for containment of sperm
Excretory outlet for the uterus
Becomes birth canal during the birthing 
process
Organ of copulation
Cervix Fibrous, muscular band that holds the 
bottom of uterus closed and keeps fetus 
inside during pregnancy
Major source of mucus production 
during the menstrual cycle
Uterus Organ of menstruation Fertilized egg implants here
Maintains and protects developing fetus 
until birth
Contracts during labor to birth the 
neonate
Fallopian tubes Transport of sperm upward
Transport of the egg downward
Location of fertilization of the egg
Carries the egg to the uterus
Ovaries Maturation and development of eggs
Ejection of eggs
Secrete hormones, including estrogen, 
progesterone, and testosterone
Produce eggs during ovulation
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d. Infundibulum
(1) The infundibulum is the fimbriated end that lies in close 
proximity to the ovary.
(2) Finger-like projections at the ends of the tubes are the 
fimbriae, which sweep over the ovary, scoop up the egg, and 
propel it toward the inner ampullae.
B. Function
1. Transports the sperm and the egg (Box 1.1).
a. The inner wall of the fallopian tubes is lined with cilia, which 
are hair-like projections.
b. It is believed that the beating motion of these cilia transports 
the fertilized egg along the tube to the uterus, where the egg is 
implanted.
c. Muscle contractions in the fallopian tube assist in moving the 
egg along its journey, much as in intestinal peristalsis.
d. Fallopian tubes have the unique ability to transport the egg in 
one direction and the sperm in the opposite direction.
2. Collects the egg.
a. The cilia on the fimbriae have adhesive sites that help navigate 
the egg into the fallopian tube.
b. Near the time of ovulation, the fimbriae bend down in 
proximity to the ovaries.
c. The swooping motion of the petals sweeps up the egg.