Autonomy And Physiology Essay

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

The vagina is a thin-walled tube 8 to 10 cm long. It lies between the bladder and rectumand extends from the cervix to the body exterior. Often called the birth canal, the vagina providesa passageway for the delivery of an infant and for the menstrual flow to leave the body.The cervix (from Latin "neck") is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joinswith the top end of the vagina. Where they join together forms an almost 90 degree curve. It iscylindrical or conical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior vaginal wall.Approximately half its length is visible with appropriate medical equipment; the remainder liesabove the vagina beyond view. It is occasionally called "cervix uteri", or "neck
The top rim of the uterus is called the fundus and is alandmark for many doctors to track the progress of a pregnancy. The uterine cavity refers to thefundus of the uterus and the body of the uterus.Helping support the uterus are ligaments that attach from the body of the uterus to the pelvic wall and abdominal wall. During pregnancy the ligaments prolapse due to the growinguterus, but retract after childbirth. In some cases after menopause, they may lose elasticity anduterine prolapse may occur. This can be fixed with surgery.Some problems of the uterus include uterine fibroids, pelvic pain (includingendometriosis, adenomyosis), pelvic relaxation (or prolapse), heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding, and cancer. It is only after all alternative options have been considered that surgery isrecommended in these cases. This surgery is called hysterectomy. Hysterectomy is the removalof the uterus, and may include the removal of one or both of the ovaries. Once performed it isirreversible. After a hysterectomy, many women begin a form of alternate hormone therapy dueto the lack of ovaries and hormone production.The Fallopian tubes are paired, tubular, seromuscular organs whose course runs mediallyfrom the cornua of the uterus toward the
The closeapproximation between the ovary and fimbria is likely to be important for ovum pickup,although, transperitoneal migration has been reported.The paired ovaries are pretty much the size and shape of almonds. An internal view of anovary reveals many tiny saclike structures called ovarian follicles. Each follicle consists of animmature egg called an oocyte, surrounded by one or more layers of very different cells calledfollicle cells.The ovaries are for oogenesis-the production of eggs (female sex cells) and for hormone production (estrogen and progesterone). As the developing egg begins to ripen or mature, follicleenlarges and develops a fluid filled central region. When the egg is matured, it is called agraafian follicle, and is ready to be ejected from the ovary.The process of ovulation is controlled by the hypothalamus of the brain and through therelease of hormones secreted in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, (Luteinizing hormone(LH) and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)). In the follicular (pre-ovulatory) phase of themenstrual cycle, the ovarian follicle will undergo a series of transformations called cumulusexpansion, this is stimulated by the secretion of FSH. After this is done, a hole called the