The Pelvic Floor Quiz

Focused SBA-style practice, followed by the answer and explanation for every question.

Free now: 5 questions
Full bank: 108 questions
Answers: Explained

Free question

Try one with the answer

A question from this quiz. Answer it to see the explanation students get.

Which pelvic organ prolapse is correctly matched with the structure that descends into the vaginal space?

A Enterocele involving prolapse of the bladder neck into the vaginal space
B Vault prolapse involving descent of the cervix with an intact uterus
C Cystocele involving prolapse of the bladder into the vaginal space ✓
D Urethrocele involving prolapse of the rectum into the vaginal space
E Rectocele involving prolapse of the uterus into the vaginal space

The answer is C: Cystocele involving prolapse of the bladder into the vaginal space

Explanation

Why C is correct

See Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Option C is correct. In a pelvic organ prolapse a pelvic organ is inadequately supported and collapses into the space occupied by the vagina, often with a dragging or bulging sensation. The name of each type tells you which organ descends. A cystocele is the bladder (cysto means bladder), and because the bladder lies in front of the vagina this is an anterior prolapse. A urethrocele is collapse of the urethra, and a cystourethrocele involves both. A rectocele is the rectum, and an enterocele is a peritoneal sac holding bowel that bulges into the upper vagina; both are posterior. A central prolapse is the uterus itself, and after hysterectomy the top of the vagina can fall, which is called a vault prolapse. Risk factors are older age, the number of vaginal births, oestrogen deficiency after the menopause and anything that keeps abdominal pressure high, such as obesity. Pessaries (devices placed in the vagina to support the organs), pelvic floor exercises or surgery can be used.

Definition: a pelvic organ is inadequately supported and collapses into the space occupied by the vagina
Anterior prolapse: a cystocele is the bladder and a urethrocele is the urethra
Posterior prolapse: a rectocele is the rectum and an enterocele is a peritoneal sac holding bowel
Vault prolapse: the top of the vagina falls after hysterectomy

Why the other options are incorrect

A. Enterocele involving prolapse of the bladder neck into the vaginal space: An enterocele is a peritoneal sac containing bowel, usually small bowel, that bulges against the upper vagina, not the bladder neck. The pairing is wrong because bladder involvement would make it a cystocele. This option would be right if it said bowel.
B. Vault prolapse involving descent of the cervix with an intact uterus: A vault prolapse is descent of the top of the vagina after the uterus has been removed by hysterectomy, so there is no intact uterus or cervix to descend. Descent of the cervix with an intact uterus would instead be a uterine (central) prolapse. This option would be right for a woman who had already had a hysterectomy.
D. Urethrocele involving prolapse of the rectum into the vaginal space: A urethrocele is collapse of the urethra into the vaginal wall, and rectal prolapse belongs to a rectocele. The pairing is wrong because the structure named is the rectum. This option would be right if it said urethra.
E. Rectocele involving prolapse of the uterus into the vaginal space: A rectocele is prolapse of the rectum into the vaginal space, not the uterus, and it is a posterior prolapse. The pairing here is wrong because the uterus prolapse is a central prolapse. This option would be right if it said rectum.

Easy

With Premium, questions you miss become Revision Coach flashcards, scheduled for review.

Question preview

What you will practise

More questions from this set. Start the quiz to answer them and see each explanation.

1
Which description best matches a third-degree perineal tear sustained during childbirth?
2
In the traditional description of the urogenital diaphragm, which of the following muscles belongs to this deep perineal region?

Revise before you test

Review SimpleMed's doctor-written article, then return here to check recall.

Read the topic article

Need wider coverage?

Explore every Reproductive System topic set, or build a tailored mixed session.

Browse subject quizzes