What is the female appendage?

The female adnexa is a female reproductive organ, which refers to the fallopian tubes and ovaries on the left and right sides of the uterus, as well as some ligament tissue, which are all components of the adnexa. The female adnexa is very important for the health of the reproductive system. Once adnexitis occurs, it often causes menstrual disorders in women, dysmenorrhea, bleeding during sexual intercourse, etc. More serious cases may also cause other gynecological diseases.

What is the female appendage?

1. Fallopian tube

It is a muscular tube that transports eggs, one on each side. According to its structure and function, it is divided into five parts from front to back: the infundibulum - with the abdominal opening of the fallopian tube in the center and thin umbrella-shaped edges. The dilatation or albumen secretion portion is the longest and most curved part. Isthmus - the narrowed part behind the dilatation. Uterine part - enlarged into a sac-like shape with thicker walls. Vagina - thins and curves into an "S" shape, with the rear end opening on both sides of the cloaca.

2. Ovaries

The ovaries are located at the posterolateral side of the fundus of the uterus, are grape-shaped, and connected to the side walls of the pelvic cavity. They are all follicles at different stages of development. The follicles are yellow in color, and the surface of the ovaries is densely covered with blood vessels. The size of the ovaries is related to age and egg-laying period.

During pregnancy, the position of the uterus changes greatly due to its movement. After the fetus is delivered, the ovaries generally do not return to their original position. The ovaries are intraperitoneal organs. It is completely wrapped by the posterior leaf of the broad ligament of the uterus to form the ovarian capsule. The peritoneal folds between the ovary and the broad ligament of the uterus are called the mesovarium. The ovarian mesentery is very short and contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerves that pass through it to the ovaries. The ovaries are highly mobile, and their position is often affected by the fullness of the large intestine. It is usually located in the ovarian fossa and connected to the peritoneum of the pelvic side wall on the outside.

The ovarian fossa is located in the angle between the origins of the internal and external iliac arteries, with the umbilical artery cord in front and the ureter and internal iliac artery in the back. The floor of the ovarian fossa is composed of the obturator internus muscle and the pelvic fascia and peritoneal wall covering its surface. The obturator vessels and nerves pass through the extraperitoneal tissue at the bottom of the ovarian fossa.

The location of the fetal ovaries is similar to that of the male testicles, located near the waist and kidneys. The ovaries of newborns are located higher and slightly oblique. The ovaries of adults are located low, with their long axis nearly vertical. The end of the fallopian tube is located slightly below the plane of the upper opening of the pelvis, near the external iliac vein, just opposite the sacroiliac joint. The cervical opening is downward, slightly above the pelvic floor peritoneum, and connected to the outer corner of the uterus. The mesenteric margin is located posterior to the umbilical artery cord. The free edge is located in front of the ureter.

The ovaries of older women are located lower. The position of the ovaries may be affected by the position of the uterus. When the uterus tilts to the left, the left ovary moves slightly downward and the end of the uterus turns slightly inward; when it tilts to the right, the opposite is true. The fallopian tube end of the ovary and the upper part of its posterior edge are covered by the fallopian tube umbrella and the fallopian tube funnel.