FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
• The female reproductive system consists of internal and external organs.
It creates hormones and is responsible for fertility, menstruation and
sexual activity.
• The female reproductive system consists of the primary as well as
accessory sex organs.
• The primary sex organs in females internally:
o Uterus
o Ovaries
o Fallopian tubes
o Vagina
• The primary sex organs in females externally (VULVA):
o Mons pubis
o Labia minora
o Labia majora
o Clitoris
o Vestibule of vagina
o Vestibular glands
• Accessory organ include:
o Breasts and mammary gland
EXTERNAL GENITAL
ORGANS (VULVA)
MONS PUBIS
• It is rounded fatty elevation, situated anterior to
the pubic symphysis.
• It a consists with pad of fat deep to the skin.
• Its covered with pubic hairs during puberty.
CLITORIS
• It is erectile organ.
• It is located posterior to the anterior labial
commissure.
• It is highly sensitive and is very important in the
sexual arousal of female.
LABIA MAJORA (LARGE LIPS)
• They are two symmetrical fold of skin,
which protect the urethral and vaginal
openings, that open into the vestibule of the
vagina.
• Each labia majora passes posteriorly from
the mons pubis, to about 2.5 cm anterior to
the anus.
• The thin outer surface of labia majora is
covered with hair and their inner surface has
large sebacecous gland.
LABIA MINORA (SMALL LIPS)
• They are thin, delicate folds off at free,
hairless skin, which are located between the
labia majora.
• They have many sensory nerves ending.
• The labia minora meet just superior to the
clitoris to form a fold of skin called the clitoral
hood.
• Posteriorly, they unite, forming the frenulum of
labia minora, it is frequently torn during
childbirth.
VESTIBULE OF THE VAGINA
• its space between the labia minora.
• The urethra, vagina and the ducts of the
greater vestibular glands open into the
vestibule.
• The external urethral orifice is a median opening
located 2-3 cm posterior to the clitoris and
immediately anterior to vaginal orifice.
• The vaginal orifice is a large opening located
posterior and inferior to the urethral orifice.
GREATER VESTIBULAR GLANDS
(BARTHOLIN’S GLANDS)
• They are located on each side of the vestibule
of the vagina, partly covered by the bulbs of
the vestibule.
• Their ducts open into the vestibule of the
vagina, on each side of the vaginal orifice at
the juction of anterior 2/3rd and posterior 1/3
rd.
• They secrete small amount of lubricating
mucus during sexual arousal.
BLOOD AND NERVE SUPPLY
• Arterial supply to the vulva is by branches
of external and internal pudendal arteries.
• Venous Drainage Internal pudendal veins
drain the venous blood from the external
genitalia.
• Nerve Supply The nerve supply is through:
• Ilioinguinal nerve
• Genitofemoral nerve to Perineal
nerve
INTERNAL
GENITAL ORGANS
• The internal genital organ in female
include:
o The uterus
o The vagina
o The fallopian tube
o Ovaries
UTERUS (HYSTERA)
• The uterus is a thick-walled, pear-shaped,
hollow muscular organ.
• It is situated in the pelvic cavity, with the
urinary bladder in front and the rectum, behind.
• It has thick muscular walls and a small central
cavity.
• Dimensions: The uterus is 7-8 cm long, 5-7 cm
wide and 2-3 cm thick; and it weighs 30-40 g
Parts of the Uterus
The uterus has three major parts:
• The expanded superior two-third part is called
the body.
• The cylindrical, lower one-third is called the
cervix
• A slight constriction, called the isthmus, marks
the junction between the body and the cervix.
Body (Corpus):
• The body is further divided into fundus-the part
which lies above the openings of the uterine
tubes
• body proper which is triangular and lies
between the openings of the tubes and the
isthmus.
• The site of entry of the uterine tube is called
the "cornu" (or horn). The uterine tube, round
ligament and ligament of the ovary are
attached to it.
Cervix
• The cervix or neck of the uterus is the lowest portion,
part of which projects like an inverted cone into the
vault of the vagina.
• Thus, the cervix is divided into vaginal and
supravaginal parts.
• The rounded vaginal part opens into the vagina through
the external ostium or external os
• The cavity of the cervix (cervical canal) communicates
with the uterine cavity through the internal os.
• The cavity of the uterus is a mere slit when viewed from
one side; the cavity is flat and triangular when seen
from the front
SURFACE OF UTERUS
Anterior Surface :
• The urinary bladder is situated anterior to the uterus.
• The uterovesical pouch of peritoneum separates the fundus and body of
the uterus from the anterior two-thirds of the superior surface of the
bladder.
• The supravaginal part of the cervix, which is not covered with
peritoneum, is directly related to the posterior one-third of the superior
surface of the bladder.
Posterior Surface
• The posterior surface of the fundus, body and supravaginal cervix are
covered by peritoneum; it is related to the rectouterine pouch (pouch of
Douglas) of peritoneum, which separates the uterus from the rectum.
• The pouch of Douglas is occupied by the coils of terminal ileum and
sigmoid colon.
Lateral Borders
• A double fold of peritoneum, the broad ligament, is attached to the lateral
borders . It stretches from the lateral border of uterus to the side walls of
the pelvis. Its upper free border encloses the fallopian tubes
SUPPORT OF UTERUS
• The uterus is a mobile organ, which
undergoes extensive changes in size and
shape during pregnancy.
• It is supported and prevented from
sagging down by a number of factors.
• Muscular support Fibromuscular
ligaments Peritoneal ligaments (of
doubtful role
BLOOD AND NERVE SUPPLY
• Arterial Supply : The uterus is supplied chiefly
by two uterine arteries and partly by ovarian
arteries. The uterine artery is a branch of the
internal iliac artery. It runs medially towards the
cervix.
• Venous Drainage: The corresponding uterine
veins drain into the internal iliac veins.
• Nerve Supply: autonomic nervous system-
sympathetic (T12, L1) and parasympathetic (S2,
S3, S4).
FALLOPIAN TUBES
• fallopian tubes are a pair of hollow, muscular
ducts located between ovaries and uterus.
• Each fallopian tube is a channel between
ovaries, where body makes eggs, and uterus,
where a fertilized egg can develop into a fetus.
• Fertilization occurs in fallopian tubes, making
it a key part of reproductive anatomy that affects
fertility.
• Each fallopian tube is between 4 to 5 inches
long and between 0.2 to 0.6 inches in diameter.
PARTS
1. Infundibulum: The funnel-like portion of fallopian tube that’s
closest to ovaries. It includes finger-like structures called
fimbriae that reach out toward the ovary. an egg once it’s
released from ovary and sweep it gently into fallopian tube.
2. Ampulla: The major channel in fallopian tube, located in-
between the infundibulum and the isthmus. Fertilization most
often takes place in the ampulla.
3. Isthmus: A tiny channel that connects the ampulla to the
portion of fallopian tube that’s closest to uterus, the intramural
portion.
4. Intramural (interstitial) portion: The part of allopian tube
that extends into the top of uterus. It opens into uterine cavity,
where an embryo can implant into uterine wall and develop
into a fetus.
OVARIES
• the female gonads are called the ovaries.
• It is situated on the lateral wall of pelvis. 3 cm long,
1.5 cm wide and 1 cm in thickness and ovoid shape.
• The ovaries are paired, oval organs attached to
the posterior surface of the broad ligament of the
uterus by the mesovarium (a fold of peritoneum,
continuous with the outer surface of the ovaries).
• The main functions of the ovaries are:
o To produce oocytes (female gametes) in preparation
for fertilisation.
o To produce the sex steroid
hormones oestrogen and progesterone, in response
to pituitary gonadotrophins (LH and FSH)
COMPONENT
• Surface – formed by simple cuboidal
epithelium (known as germinal epithelium).
Underlying this layer is a dense connective
tissue capsule.
• Cortex – comprised of a connective tissue
stroma and numerous ovarian follicles. Each
follicle contains an oocyte, surrounded by a
single layer of follicular cells.
• Medulla – formed by loose connective tissue
and a rich neurovascular network, which
enters via the hilum of the ovary.
BLOOD AND NERVE SUPPLY
• arterial supply to the ovary is via the
paired ovarian arteries. These arise directly from
the abdominal aorta (inferior the renal arteries).
There is also a contribution from the uterine
arteries.
• Venous drainage is achieved by paired ovarian
veins. The left ovarian vein drains into the left renal
vein, and the right ovarian vein drains directly into
the inferior vena cava.
• Nerve supply: The ovaries receive sympathetic
and parasympathetic innervation from the ovarian
and uterine (pelvic) plexuses, respectively.
VAGINA
• The vagina is an organ of the female reproductive
tract. It is a distensible muscular tube which
extends posterosuperiorly from the external vaginal
orifice to the cervix.
• It has several roles within the female reproductive
system:
o Sexual intercourse – receives the penis and
ejaculate, assisting in its transport to the uterus.
o Childbirth – expands to provide a channel for
delivery of a newborn from the uterus.
o Menstruation – serves as a canal for menstrual
fluid and tissue to leave the body.
The vagina is closely related to many of the
organs in the pelvic region:
• Anterior – bladder and urethra.
• Posterior – rectouterine pouch, rectum and
anal canal.
• Lateral – ureters and levator ani muscle.
• The arterial supply to the vagina is via the
uterine and vaginal arteries – both branches of
the internal iliac artery.
• Venous return is by the vaginal venous
plexus, which drains into the internal iliac
veins via the uterine vein.
ACCESSORRY
ORGAN
(BREAST)
• The breast is present, bilaterally, in the pectoral
region, in both Sexes.
• After puberty, the female breasts are well-
developed.
• The adult female breast has a base, nipple, areola
and an axillary tail
Base:
• Base is circular, vertically, it extends from the 2nd
to 6th ribs, n the midclavicular line.
• Horizontally, it extends from the lateral border of
sternum to the midaxillary line.
• The base rests mainly on the pectoralis major
muscle and the pectoral asci.
Nipple:
• The nipple is a conical projection below the center
of thebreast.
• It is pierced by 15-20 lactiferous ducts.
• The circular fibers erect the nipple for sucking and
the longitudinal muscle retracts the nipple.
• The nipple is richly innervated.
Areola:
• The areola is the pigmented circular area of skin
around the base of the nipple.
• They are enlarged during pregnancy and lactation
and are known as Montgomery's tubercles.
• Their oily secretions form a protective lubricant
during lactation.
Axillary Tail of Spence:
• It is a tail-like projection from the upper outer
quadrant of the breast into the axilla.
• When enlarged, it may be mistaken for an enlarged
axillary node or a lipoma.
Structure:
• The breast is made up of three components:
o Glandular tissue
o Fibrous tissue
o Interlobar fatty tissue
• The glandular tissue consists of 15-20 pyramidal
lobes.
• Each lobe is drained by a lactiferous duct.
• The lobes are arranged in a radiating manner from
the nipple.
Blood Supply and nerve supply
• Breast is supplied by lateral mammary branches
(axillary artery), perforating branches from 2nd,
3rd, 4th intercostals arteries (internal thoracic
artery), and superior thoracic artery.
• The veins drain into the axillary, internal
thoracic and intercostal veins.
• Nerve Supply: The intercostal nerves and
sympathetic fibers supply the skin and blood
vessels, respectively.