Deck 22: Female Genitourinary System and the Complete Health Assessment: Putting It All Togethe

Question 1

List the external structures of the female genitalia.

Answer 1

The external female genitalia consists of the vulva, the mons pubis, the labia majora and minora, the clitoris, the urethral meatus, paraurethral or Skene's glands, vaginal orifice, hymen, and vestibular or Bartholin's glands. The space between the labia minora into which the urethra and vagina open is termed the vestibule.

Question 2

Describe the structures of the internal female genitalia.

Answer 2

The vagina is a tubular canal, 9 cm in length. It extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The walls are thick and have transverse folds referred to as rugae. The rugae enable the vagina to dilate during intercourse and childbirth. The uterus is a pear-shaped, muscular organ divided in three segments anatomically: the fundus or top of the uterus, the corpus or body, and the cervix, which projects into the vagina. The opening of the cervix is referred to as the os. The two pliable tubes, 10 cm in length, extending from the fundus of the uterus to the brim of the pelvis are the fallopian tubes. Close to the distal end of each fallopian tube is an oval-shaped, glandular structure called the ovary. The recess around the cervix is referred to as the fornix, anterior and posterior.

Question 3

Outline the changes observed during puberty.

Answer 3

At puberty, estrogens stimulate the growth of cells in the reproductive tract and the development of secondary sex characteristics. The first signs of puberty are breast and pubic hair development, beginning between the ages of 8½ and 13 years. Menarche occurs during the latter half of this sequence. Tanner's table on the five stages of pubic hair development is helpful in teaching girls the expected sequence of sexual development. However, there may be variations related to ethnicity.

Question 4

Cite changes found during pregnancy.

Question 5

Outline the changes observed during the perimenopausal period.

Question 6

Incorporate health promotion concepts when performing an assessment of the female genitourinary system.

Question 7

Use recommended techniques to perform a complete history and physical examination.

Question 8

Use recommended techniques to perform an appropriate reassessment of the hospitalized patient.