Introduction to the Female Pelvis

Add, remove and highlight groups of structures with the Systems, Regions and Tissues tabs

Name the other main pelvic organs?

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2 Start by selecting the Visible Human Female:• Fromthe“Datasets”dropdownmenuchoosethe“VisibleHumanFemalePelvis”• Resetthedissectionbyclickingthe“Reset”buttonintheupper-rightcornerofthescreen• Dragthereferenceplaneinthedissectionareabyitsbluebordertothemiddleofthepelvis

(The cross sections are numbered in the lower left corner, you should be close to 529)• Exploretheanatomyofthepelvisbymovingyourmouseoverthecrosssection

(structures are identified in the upper right corner of the cross section area)

• Select“Classic”fromthe“Views”dropdownmenuintheupper-leftcornerofthescreen1 Start by setting the screen view:

Use the tools and controls in the toolbar below each area to manipulate the corresponding

dissection or cross-section

Learning ObjectiveAftercompletingthisexercise,youwillbeabletoidentifythemajororgansofthefemalepelvisandtheirbloodsupply.

5 Identify the viscera of the pelvis:• Selectthe“Regions”tab• Expandthe“AbdomenandPelvis”usingtheicontotheleftofit• Select“Muscles”fromthelist• Clickthe“Remove”buttonbelow• Selectthe“Index”tab• Enter“Bladder”intothesearchbox• Selectthe“Urinarybladder”fromthelist• Clickthe“Add&Highlight”button

Locate specific structures with the index

• Clickthe“Clear”buttontoclearthedissectionarea• Selectthe“Systems”tab• Select“Skeletalsystem”andclickthe“Add”button• Selectthe“Regions”tabandexpandthe“AbdomenandPelvis”• Expand“Arteries”andthenexpandthe“Commoniliacartery”• Selectthe“Internaliliacartery”andclick“Add&Highlight”• UsetheindextoaddandhighlighttheUterus

6 Isolate the arteries that feed the uterus by simplifying the dissection:

• Usethe“Zoom”control,locatedinthetoolbarbelowthedissectionarea,toenlargethediessection• Selectthe“Move”toolanddragthedissectionwithyourmousetorepositionitifneeded

4 Take a closer look:

• Selectthe“Dissect”toolfromthetoolbar(turns blue when selected)

• Clickontheskintoremoveit(now you see the fat and other subcutaneous tissue)

• Removethefatjustliketheskin

3 Skin the cadaver to reveal the anatomy below:

(During pregnancy, the Uterus expands anteriorly and superiorly, displacing the previous structure anteriorly and inferiorly.)What rigid structure prevents this displacement? (This displacement leads to the urinary frequency common to lateterm pregnancy)

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Which major structure is located anterior to the Uterus?(A potential space exists between the uterus and this structure, known as the vesicouterine pouch)

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Rotate the dissection using the left or right arrow key while holding the command (Mac) or ctrl (PC) key

Alternately, use the rotation tool below the dissection area

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Which ligament must the uterine arteries pass through to reach the uterus? (Hint: light yellow in the cross section)

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Move the cross section 1mm at a time by holding the command (Mac) or ctrl (PC) key while pressing the up or down arrow keys

Highlight structures or de-highlight a structure with the highlight tool

• SetthecrosssectionthroughthetopoftheRectum• Followtherectumdownthroughthecrosssections

(The dark line in the unhighlighted area between the Rectum posteriorly and the uterus and vagina anteriorly is known as the Pouch of Douglas, or the rectouterine pouch. This is a potential space (normally empty and collapsed) and may collect fluid or infectious material in cases of pelvic or abdominal injury and infection)

• Usingtheindex,addandhighlighttheRectum• Selectthe“Highlight”toolfromthetoolbar• Clickontheuterusandvaginatohighlightthesestructures

• Dragthetransverseplanedowntothesuperioraspectoftheuterus• Locatetheuterinearteriesinthecrosssection

(they are located posterior to the uterus, just medial to the hip bones)• Enlargethecrosssectionbyusingthezoomcontrol• Followthearteriesinferiorlybyholdingdownthecommand(Mac)orctrl(PC)keywhilepressingthedownarrowkeytomove1mmatatimethroughthecrosssections

7 Follow the uterine arteries as they branch:

• Clickthe“Clear”buttontoclearthedissectionarea• Usingthe“Systems”tab,addthe“Skeletalsystem”• DissecttherightHipbone,therightfemurandallofitscartilage• Usingthe“Systems”tab,addthe“Genitalsystem”• Selectthe“Rotate”toollocatedinthetoolbarbelowthedissectionarea• Rotatetoarightlateralviewbyclickinginthedissectionareaanddraggingthemousetotheleftorright

8 Visualize a more advanced anatomical concept, the Pouch of Douglas: