Anatomy & Physiology Of
Female Reproductive
System
External Female Structures
⚫Collectively,the external
female reproductive
organs are called the
Vulva.
External Female Structures
⚫ Mons Pubis.
⚫ Labia Majora
⚫ Labia Minora.
⚫ Clitoris.
⚫ Vestibule.
⚫ Perineum
Internal Female Structures
⚫Vagina
⚫Uterus
⚫Fallopian tubes
⚫Ovaries
Fallopian tubes
⚫ The two tubes extended from the
cornu of the uterus to the ovary.
⚫ It runs in the upper free border of
the broad ligament.
⚫ Length 8 to 14 cm average 10 cm
⚫ Its divided into 4 parts.
Functions
⚫ Gametetransport (ovum pickup,
ovum transport, sperm transport).
⚫ Finalmaturation of gamete post
ovulate oocyte maturation, sperm
capicitation.
⚫ Fluid
environment for early
embryonic development.
⚫ Transport of fertilized and
unfertilized ovum to the uterus.
Ovaries
⚫ Ovalsolid structure, 1.5 cm in thickness,
2.5 cm in width and 3.5 cm in length
respectively. Each weights about 4–8 gm.
⚫ Ovary is located on each side of the
uterus, below and behind the uterine tubes
Structure of the ovaries
⚫Cortex
⚫Medulla
⚫Hilum
Function of the ovary
⚫ Secrete
estrogen &
progesterone.
⚫ Production of ova
Uterus
⚫ The
uterus is a hollow, pear shaped
muscular organ.
⚫ Theuterus measures about 7.5 X 5
X 2.5 cm and weight about 50 – 60
gm.
⚫ Its
normal position is anteverted
(rotated forward and slightly
antiflexed (flexed forward)
⚫ Theuterus divided into three
parts: body\ isthmus \cervix
Layers of the uterus
⚫ Perimetrium.
⚫ Myometrium.
⚫ Endometrium.
1. Perimetrium
⚫ Isthe outer peritoneal layer of
serous membrane that covers
most of the uterus.
⚫ Laterally,the perimetrium is
continuous with the broad
ligaments on either side of the
uterus.
2. Myometrium
⚫ Is the middle layer of thick
muscle.
⚫ Most of the muscle fibers are
concentrated in the upper uterus,
and their number diminishes
progressively toward the cervix.
⚫ Promote normal implantation of
the fertilized ovum by controlling
its entry into the uterus.
⚫ And retain the fetus until the
appropriate time of birth.
3. Endometrium
⚫ Is the inner layer of the uterus.
⚫ It is responsive to the cyclic
variations of estrogen and
progesterone during the female
reproductive cycle every month.
The Function of the uterus
⚫ Menstruation ----the uterus
sloughs off the endometrium.
⚫ Pregnancy ---the uterus support
fetus and allows the fetus to grow.
⚫ Labor and birth---the uterine
muscles contract and the cervix
dilates during labor to expel the
fetus
Vagina
⚫ Itis an elastic fibro-muscular tube
and membranous tissue about 8 to
10 cm long.
⚫ Lying between the bladder
anteriorly and the rectum
posteriorly.
⚫ Thevagina connects the uterus
above with the vestibule below.
⚫ The upper end is blind and called
the vaginal vault.
⚫The reaction of the vagina
is acidic, the pH is 4.5 that
protects the vagina against
infection.
Functions of the vagina
⚫ To allow discharge of the
menstrual flow.
⚫ As the female organs of coitus.
⚫ To allow passage of the fetus from
the uterus.
Support structures
⚫The bony pelvis support
and protects the lower
abdominal and internal
reproductive organs.
⚫ Muscle, Joints and ligaments
provide added support for
internal organs of the pelvis
against the downward force of
gravity and the increases in
intra-abdominal pressure