Anatomy and Physiology

Menopause
-the time when menses cease
-occurs between 45-53 years of age
Perimenopause refers to the period of time prior to menopause during which a woman moves from
normal ovulatory cycles to cessation of menses.
-lasting from 2-8 years wherein it is characterized by decreasing ovarian function, unstable endocrine
physiology and variable hormone profiles.
Changes that happen during Menopausal period
-there is less estrogen produced yet FSH level rises increases risk for coronary heart diseases
-uterine endometrium, myometrium, ovaries and fallopian tubes atrophy
-uterine cavity constricts
-vaginal mucosa smoothens and thins while the ruggae disappear causing loss of elasticity
-pelvic fascia and muscles atrophy causing decrease pelvic support
-vaginal pH rises as Dderleins bacilli decreases
-the labia shrivels and has lose heightened pigmentation

BREAST
- are located between the second and sixth ribs over the pectoralis muscle from the sternum to
the midaxillary line.
- tail of Spence an area of breast tissue, extends into the axilla.
- Fascial bands, called Coopers ligaments, support the breast on the chest wall.
- The inframammary fold (or crease) is a ridge of fat at the bottom of the breast.
- Each breast contains 12 to 20 cone-shaped lobes, which are made up of glandular elements
(lobules and ducts) andseparated by fat and fibrous tissue that binds the lobes together.





UTERUS
The
uterus is a
hollow, thick-
walled, muscular
organ situated
deeply in the
pelvic cavity
between the
bladder and
rectum. Into its
upper part the
uterine tubes
open, one on
either side, while
below, its cavity
communicates
with that of the
vagina. When
the ova are
discharged from
the ovaries they
are carried to the
uterine cavity
through the
uterine tubes.

The
uterus measures
about 7.5 cm. in
length, 5 cm. in breadth, at its upper part, and nearly 2.5 cm. in thickness; it weighs from 30 to 40 gm. It
is divisible into two portions. On the surface, about midway between the apex and base, is a slight
constriction, known as the isthmus, and corresponding to this in the interior is a narrowing of the
uterine cavity, the internal orifice of the uterus. The portion above the isthmus is termed the body, and
that below, the cervix. The part of the body which lies above a plane passing through the points of
entrance of the uterine tubes is known as the fundus.

The Cavity of the Body (cavum uteri) is a mere slit, flattened antero-posteriorly. It is triangular
in shape, the base being formed by the internal surface of the fundus between the orifices of the uterine
tubes, the apex by the internal orifice of the uterus through which the cavity of the body communicates
with the canal of the cervix.
The Canal of the Cervix (canalis cervicis uteri) is somewhat fusiform, flattened from before
backward, and broader at the middle than at either extremity. It communicates above through the
internal orifice with the cavity of the body, and below through the external orifice with the vaginal
cavity.
In old age the uterus becomes atrophied, and paler and denser in texture; a more distinct
constriction separates the body and cervix. The internal orifice is frequently, and the external orifice
occasionally, obliterated, while the lips almost entirely disappear.

Structure.The uterus is composed of three coats: an external or serous, a middle or muscular, and an
internal or mucous.
The serous coat (tunica serosa) is derived from the peritoneum; it invests the fundus and the
whole of the intestinal surface of the uterus; but covers the vesical surface only as far as the junction of
the body and cervix.
The muscular coat (tunica muscularis) forms the chief bulk of the substance of the uterus. In the
virgin it is dense, firm, of a grayish color, and cuts almost like cartilage. It is thick opposite the middle of
the body and fundus, and thin at the orifices of the uterine tubes. The external and middle layers
constitute the muscular coat proper, while the inner layer is a greatly hypertrophied muscularis
mucos.
Resources:
http://www.theodora.com/anatomy/the_vagina.html
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=uterus+and+layers&qpvt=uterus+and+layers&FORM=IGRE#vie
w=detail&id=4EF94165A12A8289ED3E84EE3718E0B607EBB2AC&selectedIndex=0
Seeleys Principles of Anatomy and Physiology
Brunner and Suddarths Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing